Thursday March 31
There are 15,250 new cases of Covid-19 today.
Of these, 662 are in Northland, 2,708 are in Auckland, 1,352 in Waikato, 825 in Bay of Plenty, 348 in Lakes, 917 in Hawke's Bay, 812 in MidCentral, 360 in Whanganui, 608 in Taranaki, 201 in Tairāwhiti, 146 in Wairarapa, 1,009 in Capital and Coast, 587 in Hutt Valley, 729 in Nelson Marlborough, 2,379 in Canterbury, 305 in South Canterbury, 1,212 in Southern, 77 in West Coast and 13 in unknown locations.
The total number of active cases is 101,594.
The Ministry of Health defines active cases as those identified in the last seven days and not yet classified as recovered.
Covid-19 related deaths and hospitalisations
22 people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the total to date to 338.
The deaths being reported today include people who have died over the past month but were only recently notified to the Ministry.
Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today, one was from Northland, ten were from the Auckland region, one was from Waikato, two were from Bay of Plenty, two were from the Lakes district, two were from the Wellington region, and four were from Canterbury.
Two people were in their 50s, four people were in their 60s, three people were in their 70s, six in their 80s and seven were over 90.
Fifteen were female and seven were male.
The Ministry of Health reports on deaths of all people who die within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19.
One previously reported death is being removed from the Ministry's total death number as it was reported twice.
There are 830 people in hospital, with 28 of those people in intensive care or high dependency units.
The average age of people currently in hospital is 56.
Testing
The total number of PCR tests taken in the past 24 hours is 3,720.
The total number of RATs taken in the past 24 hours is 30,153.
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 95.1 percent have had a second dose.
72.8 percent of the eligible population have had their booster shot.
Medication
The country’s first shipment of Covid-19 antiviral medication, Paxlovid, has arrived.
From next week, 60,000 doses of Covid-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid will be available for doctors to prescribe.
Paxlovid is one of two Covid-19 antiviral medications purchased by the Government. The other medication, Molnupiravir, is awaiting approval by New Zealand medical safety authority, Medsafe.
Health Minister Andrew Little said on Thursday that the Government also secured access to Covid-19 treatment, Evusheld, which can prevent people who can’t have vaccines from getting the virus. This is also awaiting approval from Medsafe.
Top image: People walking in Wellington while wearing masks. Photo: Michael Madden-Smith/Re:
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