Thursday February 3

There are 147 new community cases of Covid-19 today.

Of these cases, 14 are in Northland, 90 in Auckland, 15 in Waikato, 9 in Lakes, 8 in Bay of Plenty, 7 in Hawke's Bay and 4 in Capital and Coast. 

There are 13 people in hospital. None of those people in intensive care or high dependency units.

The average age of people currently in hospital is 56.

Waitangi weekend reminder

The Ministry of Health is encouraging people who are going away this Waitangi weekend to have plans in place in case they become a close contact, get Covid-19 symptoms or find out they have the virus. 

If you become a close contact or test positive, you will likely need to self-isolate so there may be extra costs involved in paying for accommodation and changing your travel plans.

There are limited alternative accommodation options for those who are unable to safely isolate in their own homes or if they have travelled elsewhere, and as case numbers rise, the accommodation will be focused on those with high needs.

Anyone with any Covid-19 symptoms should not travel – they should get a test and isolate at home until a negative result is returned. 

The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant are a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose. If you have any of these symptoms, please get a test.

Vaccinations and boosters

96 percent of New Zealand's eligible population have had the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 94 percent have had a second dose.

There were 36,230 booster doses administered yesterday, taking the total to date to 1,399,350.

Also, 5,725 paediatric doses were given yesterday, bringing the total to 183,706.

The Waikato region will today reach 90 percent partial vaccination (first dose) for Māori. As of midnight, Waikato was only 25 first doses off becoming the 11th district health board area to achieve this vaccine milestone.

Click here for a list of updated locations of interest.

Top Image: Person wearing a mask while outside. (File photo) Photo: iStock

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