Saturday March 19

There are 18,514 new cases of Covid-19 today, and ten deaths.

Of these, 643 are in Northland, 4,346 are in Auckland, 1,729 in Waikato, 1,221 in Bay of Plenty, 541 in the Lakes district, 1,108 in Hawke's Bay, 847 in MidCentral, 273 in Whanganui, 601 in Taranaki, 365 in Tairāwhiti, 260 in Wairarapa, 1,237 in Capital and Coast, 697 in the Hutt Valley, 457 in Nelson Marlborough, 2,694 in Canterbury, 217 in South Canterbury, 1,224 in Southern, 42 in the West Coast and 12 in unknown locations.

This brings the total number of active cases to 123,481.

The Ministry of Health defines active cases as those identified in the last 10 days and not yet classified as recovered.

Hospitalisations and Covid-19 deaths

Ten people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the total to date to 166.

The seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 8. 

The Ministry of Health reports on deaths of all people who die within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19.

Of the 10 people who have died, one was from Northland, three were from Auckland, one from Waikato, two were from Bay of Plenty, two were from the Lakes DHB area, and one was from the Wellington.

Of these people, one was in their 40s, two in their 60s, four in their 80s, and three were in their 90s. Six were women and four were men.

There are 939 people in hospital, with 24 of those people in intensive care or high dependency units.

The average age of people currently in hospital is 57.

Testing

There were 3,828 PCR tests recorded in the last 24 hours, and 36,134 rapid antigen tests.

 If you take a RAT you must report the result, positive or negative. This can be done online through My Covid Record, or by calling 0800 222 478 between 8am and 8pm. 

Vaccinations

96.3 percent of New Zealand's eligible population have had the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 95 percent have had a second dose.

Yesterday, 5,568 booster doses were given around the country. 72.8 percent of the eligible population have received a booster shot.

Click here for a list of updated locations of interest.

Top image: A man doing a rapid antigen test at home. Photo: Willie B. Thomas/Getty Images

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