Nearly 48,000 boosters given yesterday; 14 community cases; 34 people …
The low number of cases reported today is welcome news, particularly with increasing testing numbers. We thank New Zealanders for the care they have taken over the holiday period while travelling across the country and connecting with friends and family.
However, we know case numbers can be quite variable from day to day and it remains likely that there will be a rise again in coming days.
The Ministry would urge the public to remain vigilant, including scanning, wearing masks where required, and most importantly ensuring they are fully vaccinated, including people who are now eligible for a booster dose.
With Omicron cases continuing to be detected at our border, vaccination remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron.
In the past 24 hours, 47,796 booster doses were given, a record to date.
A total of 548,733 booster doses have now been given since they became available in late November 2021, representing more than 36% of those who are currently eligible.
Boosters are strongly recommended for anyone over 18 who has had their second dose at least 4 months ago.
From 17 January 2022, anyone who has had their second dose more than 4 months ago can book a booster at BookMyVaccine.nz. Many clinics are accepting walk-ins for boosters right now. You can also book currently by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline team on 0800 28 29 26.
Meanwhile, more than 90 percent of 12 to 15 year olds, are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccine update
- Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,982,185 first doses (95%); 3,878,883 second doses (92%); 32,682 third primary doses; 548,733 booster doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,384 first doses; 3,967 second doses; 724 third primary doses and 47,796 booster doses.
- Māori (percentage of eligible people): 503,496 first doses (88%); 469,401 second doses (82%)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 272,800 first doses (95%); 262,473 second doses (92%)
Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people)
- Northland DHB: First doses (89%); second doses (85%)
- Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
- Waikato DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (90%)
- Lakes DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89%)
- Taranaki DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (87%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (92%)
- Canterbury DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%)
- Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
Hospitalisations
- Cases in hospital: 34; Northland 0; North Shore: 4; Auckland: 12; Middlemore: 13; Tauranga: 4; Waikato 1
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (9 cases / 33%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (7 cases / 26%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (10 cases / 37%); 1 unknown (4%).
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 55
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 2; Middlemore: 1; Tauranga: 1
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 27
- Number of new community cases: 14
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 9
- Location of new community cases: Northland (2) Auckland (9), Waikato (2), Wellington (1)
- Number of community cases (total): 11,183 (in current community outbreak)
- Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8447
- Number of active cases (total): 729 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 14,381
Contacts
- Number of active contacts being managed (total): 4,922
- Percentage who have received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 82%
- Percentage who have returned at least one result: 79%
Tests
- Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 14,705
- Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 13,209
- Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 6,761
Wastewater
- There were no unexpected wastewater detections.
NZ COVID Tracer
- Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,143,099
- Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 46,671
My Vaccine Pass
- My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,726,800
- My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 8,041
Today’s cases
We are reporting new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Wellington.
One of the two Northland cases was first announced yesterday but is being included in today’s official count.
In addition, we are announcing two new Canterbury cases today. These were notified after the daily cut-off and will be officially reported in tomorrow’s numbers.
Northland hospitalisation
Today we are reporting there are no COVID-19 cases in hospital in Northland, correcting our reports for the past two days.
Our systems inadvertently picked up an historical case who had previously been in hospital.
Northland last had a hospitalised COVID-19 patient in November.
Regional updates
We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if you’re vaccinated. Please stay at home until you return a negative test result. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are regularly updated and to follow the advice provided.
Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website.
Please also continue to check for any updated Locations of Interest and appropriate health advice, updated regularly on the Ministry’s website.
Northland
There are two new case to report in Northland, one of which was announced yesterday.
The new case is in Whangārei, with investigations into links to previously reported cases ongoing.
Locations of interest will be uploaded to the Ministry of Health website as they are confirmed.
Auckland
There are 9 cases to report in Auckland today.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 916 people in the region to isolate at home, including 189 cases.
Waikato
There are two new cases in the Waikato today, with one unlinked to a previously reported case. One is from Coromandel and one is from Te Aroha.
Pop-up testing sites are operating in Whangamatā, Te Kūiti, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Ōtorohanga, Putāruru and Hamilton today. Testing is available at general practices in Waihi, Whangamatā, Whitianga and Te Awamutu by appointment.
There were 1179 tests processed in Waikato yesterday and 4,355 vaccinations given.
In the Waikato, Public Health, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 32 cases to isolate at home.
Wellington
There is one new case to report in Wellington.
This case is linked to the Hidden Valley Festival in Matakana, north of Auckland. Case investigations are ongoing, and locations of interest will be added as they are confirmed.
Locations of interest for other Wellington cases are published on the Ministry website and we encourage people to check these, especially if you’ve been out of town over the holidays, remember to check those places you’ve visited in the last two weeks, and follow the instructions for symptoms and testing.
Testing sites are open around the Wellington region, with locations and opening hours on the Healthpoint website.
Canterbury
There are two new cases to announce in the Canterbury region. These cases were notified after the daily cut-off time and will be officially be added to tomorrow’s numbers.
The new cases are in South Canterbury and Canterbury.
The South Canterbury case remains under investigation but shares a location of interest with a previously reported case.
The Canterbury case remains under investigation for any link to previously reported cases.