Wednesday November 3, 1pm
Of today’s 100 new cases, 97 are in Auckland and 3 are in Waikato.
58 people are in hospital. All are in Auckland apart from 1 person in Waikato.
3 people are in the ICU or high dependency unit.
Health Director General Dr Ashley Bloomfield also said a number of people in hospital with Covid require treatment for other problems. In future, more information regarding hospital cases and whether they require treatment specifically for Covid will be released, he said.
Overall, the number of cases in the current outbreak is now 3733. There are also 10 new cases at the border today.
Waikato:
The Waikato has now had a total of 144 community cases.
2 of today’s cases are in Hamilton, 1 is in Otorohanga.
All of yesterday’s cases have now been epidemiologically linked to the community cluster.
Two of today’s Waikato cases have been linked to the outbreak, one is still under investigation.
Northland
The Far North went into level 3 at midnight last night after two cases were identified in Taipa that couldn’t be linked to other cases. Today, there are no new cases in Northland.
Vaccination update
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins gave an update on vaccinations and vaccine supply.
88% of the total eligible population have received their first dose, 76% have received their second.
28,921 vaccines were administered yesterday: 7,574 first doses; 21,347 second doses.
This coming Saturday will mark three weeks since Super Saturday. Those who received their first dose on Super Saturday will be eligible for their second dose this coming Saturday.
Importantly, the Government has set a 90 percent vaccination target, with the rate being measured by DHB. It has said the 90 percent target - which means 90 percent of eligible people in a DHB area have had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine - is fundamental to restrictions being eased.
Five DHBs have now reached 90% first dose vaccination rate: Waitematā (91%), Auckland (94%), Capital and Coast (92%), Canterbury (92%) and Southern (90%).
More detailed information, including vaccination rate by DHB, is available at the Ministry of Health site.
Minister Hipkins also announced the Government had secured 4.7 million additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The doses are scheduled for delivery throughout the next year, which should ensure a continual supply of Pfizer vaccine, he said.
The extra doses are important for ensuring availability for adolescents aged 5 to 11, once approved. It will also be useful for a booster programme when it is necessary and approved, Minister Hipkins said.
The extra supply was also important for assisting in supporting ongoing vaccination programmes in smaller Pacific nations, he said.
Currently, New Zealand has about 2.8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine. About 1.5 million more are expected to arrive before the year’s end.