Saturday 4 September, 1pm

An Auckland woman in her 90s has died at North Shore Hospital, the first death linked to the current community outbreak of Covid-19.

There are 20 new community cases today, bringing the total number of cases to 782. 

All of the new cases are in Auckland. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed her sympathy to the family and loved ones of the woman in a statement. “Every death is a reminder of the damage Covid-19 can cause when it gets into our community.

"Our older New Zealanders and those with underlying health issues are by far the most at risk from the virus and one of the reasons lockdowns are such an important tool to stop its spread.”

The woman was a household contact of a case. Due to underlying health issues she was not able to be on a ventilator or in intensive care. 

There are 43 people in hospital, seven in intensive care. 

There were 86,544 vaccine doses given yesterday. 

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