Friday February 4
There are 209 new community cases of Covid-19 today.
Of these cases, 21 are in Northland, 99 in Auckland, 51 in Waikato, 15 in Lakes, 15 in Bay of Plenty, 4 in Tairāwhiti, 3 in Hawke's Bay and 1 in MidCentral.
3 cases were also announced in Nelson/Marlborough but will be added to the official count tomorrow as the Ministry was notified after the daily reporting cut-off.
There are 9 people in hospital. One of those people is in the intensive care or high dependency units.
The average age of people currently in hospital is 52.
90 percent first dose for Māori and boost in boosters expected today
Māori across Aotearoa will today reach 90 percent partial vaccination (first dose). As of 11am this morning, they were just 142 doses away from reaching this important milestone.
With Omicron in New Zealand, one of the best things you can do is get your booster as soon as it is due. From today, 1 million people are now eligible for their booster after the interval was reduced from four to three months.
Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. Being boosted also helps slow the spread of the virus. Those eligible are being encouraged to get their booster shot now
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 45,931 booster doses administered yesterday, taking the total to date to 1,445,598 .
Also, 4,501 paediatric doses were given yesterday, bringing the total to 188,220 first dose.
Click here for a list of updated locations of interest.
Top Image: Covid-19 signage at Auckland International Arrival Terminal. (File photo) Photo: iStock
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