Monday January 10

Today there are 27 new community cases to report.

Of these, 16 are in Auckland, 5 in Waikato, 2 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes District, 2 in Hawke's Bay and 1 in Wellington. 

The Hawke's Bay cases tested positive while in Waikato and are isolating in Te Kuiti. 

There are currently 1073 active cases in the community. 

Currently 36 cases are in hospital with one case in ICU at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital. The average age of those in hospital is 55.

A total of 500,821 booster doses have been given since they became available in late November 2021, representing more than 35 percent of those who are currently eligible.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health says “vaccination remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron”.

The government is encouraging anyone who is eligible for a booster dose to get one now. 

Boosters are strongly recommended for anyone over 18 who has had their second dose at least 4 months ago.

So far 95 percent of the eligible population has received at least one dose and 92 percent are fully vaccinated. 

Top Image: A sign encouraging people to socially distance during the Covid-19 pandemic. (File photo) Photo: Supplied

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