By Frances Morton

Sunday January 16

There are 25 new cases of Covid-19 today.

Of these, two are in Northland, 11 are in Auckland, three in Western Bay of Plenty, two in Rotorua, two in Waikato, two in Hastings and one in Wellington. One of the Hastings cases was announced after the cut-off and will be included in tomorrow's total. 

There are 22 people in hospital, with two of those people in intensive care or high dependency units.

The average age of people currently in hospital is 51.

There are 43 new cases at the border.

95 percent of New Zealand's eligible population have had the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 93 percent have had a second dose. There have been 742,123 booster doses administered. 

The Auckland MIQ worker case which was reported yesterday is Omicron and has been linked to the border. 

Seven household contacts and 48 close contacts are being contacted and told to isolate.

"We are taking a conservative approach, and our objective is to stamp out and contain any onward transmission," the Ministry of Health said in a statement. 

There are a number of locations considered high-risk. The Ministry is asking anyone who was at any of these locations at the specified time to get tested immediately, self-isolate and then get a further test on day 5. 

The locations and times are:  

  • Rail Replacement Bus - Southern Line, Britomart to Takanini, Thursday 13 January 4:50 pm - 6:20 pm
  • Rail Replacement Bus - Eastern Line - Panmure to Britomart, Friday 14 January 7:15 am - 7:40 am
  • The Warehouse, 30 Walters Road, Takanini, Wednesday 12 January 6:39 pm - 7:15 pm.
  • New World Metro, 125 Queen St, Auckland CBD, Thursday 13 January 12.11pm - 12.30pm and Friday 14 January 12.21pm - 12.30 pm.
  • Morrin Road Bakehouse, 66A Morrin Road, Saint Johns, Friday 14 January 6:30 am - 7:00 am and Monday 10 January 7:10 am - 7:30 am
  • Gateway Wholesale Meats, 108 Great South Road, Tuesday 11 January 3:42 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Shosha Takanini, 108 Great South Road, Takanini, Monday 10 January 6:03 pm - 6:15 pm

Click here for a list of updated locations of interest.

From tomorrow, Monday January 17, children aged 5-11 can get the Covid-19 vaccination. Check the Healthpoint website here for vaccine centre locations. 

Photo: Nid Goloti/iStock