Covid-19 update: 19 new community cases today

 There are 19 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand today.

Of today's cases, 16 are known household or other contacts, one is a household contact who had not previously been identified and one is a possible contact.

Yesterday's total of 45 new community cases in Auckland was the highest it has been in some weeks, but just four of them remain unlinked.

"We're expecting another 30 or so cases in the coming days from day five and day 12 testing," Bloomfield said.

One of the new cases is outside Auckland, with a secondary school student in Northern Hauraki - who has been isolating - testing positive. The student has been isolating for the past 10 days and were tested around day 11 because they became symptomatic.

The total of cases in the Delta variant outbreak is now 1249.

There were also six new cases in managed isolation today.

Speaking at today's government briefing, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said 19 of the recent cases are linked to transitional or emergency housing.

Among today's cases is a MIQ worker at Naumi Hotel in Auckland. This case is still being investigated to determine if it is border related or part of the community outbreak.

The worker is fully vaccinated as was last tested on 14 September and this positive result was picked up through regular fortnightly testing.

Bloomfield says there were more than 11,000 tests taken in Auckland yesterday.

Suburbs of interest have been updated - Ōtara is no longer a suburb of interest, while Henderson and Papakura now are.

However, the suburbs of Clover Park, Māngere, Favona, Manurewa and Mount Wellington/Sylvia Park are still of interest.

"If you are in those suburbs, please come forward and get tested whether or not you have symptoms," Bloomfield said.

Testing teams in Auckland will go to about 40 transitional and emergency housing sites over the coming days to offer tests to residents there.

Covid 19 update

 There are 45 new Covid cases in the community today, including 12 unlinked 'mystery' cases.Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said it was the largest number of cases we'd had in some time.A total of 33 are household or close contacts of existing cases and weren't infectious in community."In some sense they were expected," Bloomfield said.Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today's number of cases was "sobering" and said no one would be celebrating - but it was important to place it in context, knowing a lot of cases were from big households.We've still got to hold our nerve here," he said "We do expect from time to time there will blips."Asked whether Auckland residents should be prepared for longer periods in current alert levels, Hipkins said it was important to remember the nature of cases was a chief aspect in informing alert level shifts.However, he said the number of household contacts pointed to the nature of this outbreak where it was very transmissable"I would encourage people to not read too much into it."Bloomfield said quite a few of the cases were in transitional housing and were moving around for a range of reasons, given their situations.There had been a lot of engagement with gang leadership after infections had been revealed in three separate households. However, he said they weren't seeing many new cases in these households.

                            

                                             Stay home stay lives

                                             (Fell to comment)

Covid-19: Eight new cases in the community, four in managed isolation - Bloomfield

 There are eight new cases of Covid-19 in the community today and four in managed isolation.Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the new community cases are all in Auckland.

Seven of the eight cases are contacts of existing cases, Dr Bloomfield says.

Six were in isolation during the period they were infectious.

Today's cases bring the total number of cases in the existing cluster to 1185.

Seven of the eight cases are contacts of existing cases, Dr Bloomfield says.

There are 14 people in hospital, three of them in ICU or HDU.

Yesterday, there were four active sub-clusters, today that's down to three.

One of today's new cases was confirmed after a person presented at Waitākere Hospital. This is today's unlinked case. The person was transferred to North Shore Hospital as soon as their test returned positive. They are in isolation in a negative pressure room.

Five members of Waitākere Hospital's emergency department have been stood down and eight patients are being treated as contacts.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 9955 tests had been carried out in the previous 24 hours, 7562 were in Auckland.

Yesterday 40,706 vaccines were administered; 12,641 were first doses; 28,065 were second doses.

That brings the total administered across the country to more than 5,077,000 doses.

New Zealand has now confirmed 3848 cases since the pandemic began.

There were 12 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand yesterday, with all but two epidemiologically linked to previous cases.

Covid-19 update: 16 new community cases reported in NZ today

 There have been 16 community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, according to the Ministry of Health.In a statement, the Health Ministry said 13 of today's 16 cases have been epidemiologically linked to previous cases.

There have been 10 unlinked cases in the past fortnight.

There is also one historical community case not associated to the current outbreak and another historical case at the border.

The Ministry said the community case deemed to be historical was not associated with the current outbreak in Auckland as this case initially came through the border and has been previously reported and spent 14 days in managed isolation, during which time they routinely tested negative.

"They have subsequently tested positive, but this has been deemed historical and is no longer infectious."

There are 13 people in hospital with Covid-19, with four in intensive care.

The Ministry said 903 of Auckland's 1129 cases in this outbreak have now recovered.

Yesterday there were nine new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand, the first time in weeks the number of cases had dropped to single figures.

There has now been a total of 1146 cases in the current community outbreak, and there have been 3806 cases in this country since the pandemic began.

A Waitematā District Health Board spokesperson today said that a patient at Auckland's Waitākere Hospital had tested positive for Covid-19 after presenting at the emergency department yesterday, but that the overall exposure risk is considered low.

The Ministry said today fewer than 10 patients are affected.

Covid 19 update

 Aucklanders are encouraged to get vaccinated this weekend, the region's first at alert level 3 during this Delta outbreak.

Nine new community cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Friday, all in Auckland. These are all linked to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, new COVID-19 modelling paints a grim picture, with health systems forecast to be overwhelmed if only 80 percent of New Zealanders get vaccinated against the virus. Officials want to reach above 90 percent for lockdowns to be put to the side.

The Prime Minister has set Auckland the challenge of getting to 90 percent vaccinated by October 4, when Cabinet will consider if the region can move to alert level 2. Earlier this week, it moved past the 80 percent mark.

While he wouldn't characterise it as a target, Labour MP David Parker told The AM Show on Friday that if we can get to 90 percent vaccinated "we can open up safely without lockdowns and people can get all the freedoms back that we used to, travel, get back to the new normal".

What you need to know: 

• Nine community cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Auckland on Thursday

• The case total of New Zealand's Delta outbreak is now 1131

• New modelling shows even if New Zealand reaches a COVID-19 vaccination rate of 80 percent, there would still be 60,000 hospitalisations and 7000 deaths per year, without restrictions

• Forty percent of New Zealanders are fully vaccinated against COVID-19

• Work is underway to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for health workers.

Today post

Today me and my family  got our frist  vaccine.My mum  persuasive us to get vaccine  to keep us safe.Frist  we went and put a mask than my mum drive us to get a  covid 19 vaccine and when we got there  they  told us to park our car at the car park.When we got out of the car  they told us to come in.Than they  put sanitiser  in our hand and we wash our hand with it.Next we have to wait for then to tell us to come than we all went into the room.I was the frist person to get vaccine and they ask what your name is what your last name and how old am I.Next my sister got vaccine and they also ask her what your name is what your last name and how old is she.Next my brother got vaccine and they also ask him what your name and what your last name and how old  he is.Next my dad got vaccine and they also asl him what your name and what your last name and how old is he.Than they told us to come in the  room and sit down .Than they started to call some people and she told than to drink lots of water.So I encourage you to get  a vaccine. 

covid 19 update

 he upper Hauraki area is now in COVID-19 alert level 3 with Auckland, appearing to have dodged a major Delta bullet.

No one in the area apart from three people in the household of an infected prisoner on bail tested positive for COVID-19.

Fifteen cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, all in Auckland.

What you need to know: 

• Fifteen community cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Auckland on Thursday

• The case total of New Zealand's Delta outbreak is now 1123

• New modelling shows even if New Zealand reaches a COVID-19 vaccination rate of 80 percent, there would still be 60,000 hospitalisations and 7000 deaths per year, without restrictions

• Forty percent of New Zealanders are fully vaccinated against COVID-19

• Work is underway to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for health workers.

Covid 19 update Wednesday, September 22

 Aucklanders are breathing a sigh of relief as the super city moves to COVID-19 alert level 3 after five long weeks at level 4.

It means a slight change to the rules, with stores - including fast food outlets - allowed to open for contactless takeaway and click and collect.

But under level 3 the message is similar, with people urged to stay home as much as they can. People must still stay in their household bubbles and those who can continue working from home are urged to do so.

What you need to know:

• Twenty-three new community cases of COVID-19 were announced on Wednesday

• The case total of New Zealand's Delta outbreak is now 1108

• Auckland shifted down to alert level 3 at 11:59pm on Tuesday for at least two weeks

• The upper Hauraki area has now been moved to COVID-19 alert level 3 with Auckland

• Greater New Zealand will stay at alert level 2 for as long as Auckland is at level 3.

Covid 19 update Auckland moves to alert level 3

 Five weeks of hard lockdown for Aucklanders can now now be sweetened slightly with a store-bought coffee and takeaways.

Thousands of tradies are back on the job in the super city and a small number of school students are allowed back in the classroom.

Food outlets can open for pick-up, delivery or drive through but some are staying closed arguing level 3 isn't financially viable.

What you need to know:

• It's Auckland's first day in alert level 3 after five weeks at level 4

• Northern Hauraki is in lockdown until at least Friday due to local community cases

• The rest of the country is at level 2

• There were 14 new community cases reported yesterday

• Breaching Covid-19 restrictions will mean an increased infringement fee of up to $4000 for individuals and $12,000 for companies

• People in Clover Park, Auckland, are being asked to get tested because of a set of cases in the suburb

• Contact tracing locations of interest are being updated throughout the day, The latest locations of interest can be found here

• Testing location details are here

• If you have symptoms of Covid-19 or a cold or flu, stay home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116

covid 19 update

 Auckland is shifting down to alert level 3 this week after more than five weeks in lockdown. 

It comes after fears three infections in Waikato on Sunday - all linked to a remand prisoner at Auckland's Mt Eden Corrections Facility - would ruin any hope of a move.

The level change will come into effect at 11:59pm on Tuesday, for at least two weeks. The rest of New Zealand will remain at alert level 2 until Auckland is out of level 3.

Northern parts of Waikato, near where the cases were, are in a 'bespoke level 4" for the next five days, meaning they will be under lockdown conditions during this period.

What you need to know:

• Auckland to shift down to alert level 3 at 11:59pm on Tuesday for at least two weeks

• The rest of New Zealand will stay at alert level 2 for as long as Auckland is at level 3

• A Section 70 Health Order has been put in place for northern parts of Waikato for five days
• Fourteen new cases of COVID-19 were announced on Tuesday. 

• Three household members of a remand prisoner announced as a COVID-19 case on Sunday tested positive in Waikato

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Covid-19 NZ: Auckland will move to alert level 3 tomorrow night for at least two weeks

 Auckland will move to alert level 3 tomorrow at 11.59pm tomorrow for at least two weeks, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced.

The city has been in level 4 for almost five weeks, the longest stretch of level 4 experienced throughout the whole pandemic.

Ardern has also asked everyone aged 65 or over not to leave the house until vaccinated.Ardern said level 4 had been necessary to stop the outbreak exploding into thousands of cases, but level 3 was now appropriate.the link will be there so you can read the information.And do check my other post and stay home stay lives.

Covid-19 NZ: Auckland will move to alert level 3 tomorrow night for at least two weeks

Covid 19 update

 The Ministry of Health has reported 22 new confirmed community COVID-19 cases, all in Auckland except three in Waikato.

It comes amid fears the new cases of outside of Auckland could burst any hope the city has of moving down alert levels. Three infections emerged in Waikato on Sunday, all linked to a remand prisoner at Auckland's Mt Eden.

In a statement on Sunday night, the Ministry of Health said two of the prisoner's three household contacts attend Mangatangi School, which has closed for the day.The trio along with an adult caregiver has been moved to a quarantine facility. The ministry said at least one of the children was symptomatic while at school on Thursday.

Arrangements were being made for students and families to be tested.

The ministry said there were nine people in the household altogether, with five others testing negative for COVID-19 and one person being swabbed on Monday.

What you need to know:

• Twenty-two new cases of COVID-19 were announced on Monday, including the three in Waikato

• There are now 1068 cases in the current outbreak, 694 of whom have now recovered

• Three household members of a remand prisoner announced as a COVID-19 case on Sunday tested positive in Waikato

• There are nine people in the household. Five others have tested negative and the ninth household member will be tested on Monday

• A pop-up testing centre has been set up at the Wharekawa Marae in Whakatīwai

• A pause on managed isolation bookings has been lifted

• Cabinet has made an in-principle decision to move Auckland to alert level 3 at 11:59pm on Tuesday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will provide an update on that decision at 4pm on Monday

• Click here for locations of interest.And don't forget to cherk my other blog post and I will see you next time.

Covid 19 update

 The number of new community cases of Covid-19 has jumped after several days of falling numbers, with 20 new cases reported in Auckland today.There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Ministry said 19 of these are household or known contacts and only one of these remains unlinked.

"Interviews are underway with that person to determine how they are linked to the current outbreak."

There are now seven unlinked cases from the past 14 days.

The number of new cases has been slowly falling for the past few days, with 11 new cases reported yesterday and 13 on Thursday.

The Ministry said it was expecting some fluctuations in case numbers at this point in the outbreak.

There has now been a total of 1027 cases linked to the current outbreak, with 625 of Auckland's 1010 cases now considered to have recovered, while all but one of Wellington's 17 cases has now recovered.

Ten people are in hospital with the coronavirus, with three in ICU or HDU.

There were also two new confirmed cases and two historical cases in managed isolation.

The Ministry said testing at high levels in Auckland remained an essential part of the outbreak response and it was continuing to urge anyone in Auckland with cold or flu symptoms - no matter how mild - to get tested.

It said 12,427 tests were taken yesterday, including more than 7000 swabs taken in the Auckland region.

"We have also had over 1000 saliva tests since Monday with the majority in the last 48 hours. Over 400 employers will be instigating saliva testing for almost 4500 employees across New Zealand."

Covid 19 update

 Director of Public Health Caroline McElnay says most of the current Covid-19 cases are being able to be linked to the existing cases.

She says that reinforces the feeling of optimism that they are getting on top of the outbreak.

"The vast majority of this outbreak has been contained. We're just seeing a small number of cases coming through."

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson says he appreciates Aucklanders for having been through five weeks of lockdown.

The country wanted Aucklanders to know how much their sacrifice was appreciated, he says.

"It has absolutely been worth it," he says referencing the case numbers in Australia.

Follow the latest Covid-19 updates here:

What you need to know:

• There were 11 new community cases today, all of them in Auckland and two of these cases are to yet be epidemiologically linked.

• There were 5 new cases in MIQ today.

• The total number of cases in the current outbreak is 1007 of whom 549 cases have recovered.

• 20 people are in hospital, with four in ICU or HDU.

• Auckland is at alert level 4 until at least Tuesday 21 September. Cabinet has made an in-principle decision that the region will then move to level 3, to be reviewed on Monday.

• The rest of New Zealand is at level 2. The PM says if Auckland moves to level 3 the rest of the country is likely to stay in an eased level 2, with 100 people allowed at gatherings.

• From today all workers crossing Auckland’s level 4 boundary need to show evidence of a Covid-19 test in the previous seven days.

• The pause on MIQ bookings will be lifted on 20 September, starting with 3000 rooms released through a new lobby booking system that day.

• The trans-Tasman bubble pause has been extended for another eight weeks.

• Contact tracing locations of interest are being updated throughout the day

• Testing location details are here.

• If you have symptoms of Covid-19 or a cold or flu, stay home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116

covid 19 update

There are 13 new cases of Covid-19 in the community, all in Auckland the Health Ministry has announced today.Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said all but one of today's community cases are linked to known cases, with most being household contacts

There were also three border cases and two historical cases in managed isolation.

The Health Ministry said there have now been 996 cases in the current community outbreak - 979 in Auckland and 17 in Wellington.

It said 445 of the Auckland cases have now recovered, along with 15 of the Wellington cases.

There are 19 people in Auckland hospitals with the coronavirus, with four in ICU or HDU, all requiring ventilation.

There has now been a total of 3643 cases in New Zealand since the outbreak began.

Yesterday, the Ministry announced 14 new cases of new infections, a drop on the previous day when 15 cases were recorded.

The first in a series of vaccination buses aimed at boosting the number of Covid-19 vaccinations in South Auckland are now on the road today.