Coronavirus: Latest on COVID-19 community outbreak - Friday, November 19

There are 198 new cases of COVID-19 to report on Friday, with active cases now in nine regions as the virus continues to spread throughout New Zealand.

There are currently active cases of COVID-19 in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, the Lakes District, Taranaki, Mid-Central, Wairarapa and Canterbury. On Friday, it was confirmed that an essential worker from Auckland has returned a weak-positive result in Wellington. It's understood the person, who is reportedly a construction worker, is fully vaccinated and asymptomatic.

Of the 198 new cases, 152 are in Auckland, 30 are in Waikato, five are in Northland, six are in Bay of Plenty, two are in Lakes, one is in Mid-Central, one is in Wairarapa and one is in Canterbury.

Six new cases have also been confirmed in the Bay of Plenty, the latest region to see the arrival of the Delta variant. One of the cases included on Friday was first reported in Mt Maunganui on Thursday.

What you need to know

• There are 198 cases to report on Friday - 152 in Auckland, 30 in Waikato, six in Bay of Plenty, five in Northland, two in Lakes, and one each in Mid-Central, Wairarapa, and Canterbury.
• Seventy-six people are in hospital, six of whom are in intensive care or high dependency units.
  
• An essential worker from Auckland has returned a weak-positive result in Wellington. It's understood they are a construction worker and are fully vaccinated.
• Auckland DHB is nearing 90 percent double-dose vaccination, with just 101 people needing their second jab.
• Auckland's border will open on December 15, allowing fully vaccinated Kiwis to travel to and from the region - people can also present a negative test result received within 72 hours prior to departure.
  
• The rest of New Zealand will move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework, the traffic light system, at the same time as Auckland - the date will be decided on November 29.
• More than 1300 DHB staff have been stood down as a result of the vaccine mandate.
• Vaccine certificates are now available to download via My COVID Record.
  
• Keep up-to-date with the latest locations of interest here.

These live updates are now closed.

6:30pm - More locations of interest have been revealed in the Bay of Plenty with two pharmacies and a Caltex added to the growing list. 

See the full list here

5:48pm - An Eastern Bay iwi has asked tourists to the area to stay away from their tribal lands to protect its people and the small healthcare system. 

"We are asking for holiday makers, those who do not whakapapa to Te Whānau a Apanui to refrain from entering our tribal territories this summer. Please respect the vulnerabilities of our iwi at this time” said Rawiri Waititi, member of the Iwi IRU

"We have taonga, our pakeke living in this iwi that we can’t afford to lose. We spent weeks upon weeks physically manning our borders with very little resource to ensure our people were kept safe. This instance is no different.”

"Our healthcare system is small and can currently only cater to our population living here. We just cope with the Christmas rush anyway, Covid on top of this will put huge pressure on our capacity because we don’t have the facilities or the system to cater to anyone outside of our own patients who tests positive."

5:07pm - Mayor Phil Goff has praised Aucklanders for their hard work over the past three months, saying the rest of the country owes them a debt of gratitude.

Goff issued a statement following the announcement this afternoon that the city’s first District Health Board (DHB) has reached the 90 per cent full vaccination milestone.

"With the Auckland DHB having achieved 90 per cent, and the Waitematā and Manukau DHB’s at 87 and 84 per cent respectively, we’re on track to being one of the most vaccinated cities in the world," he said.

"This is fantastic news, and it means that we are in a strong position to transition to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework in coming weeks.

"Vaccination is the single best tool we have to slow the transmission of COVID-19, protect our health system from being overwhelmed, and give people the confidence to go out and support local businesses.

"Thank you to the more than 1.3 million Aucklanders who have received at least their first dose so far and thank you to our health workers who have done the mahi in challenging circumstances to help get us to this point.

"This milestone reflects the determination of Aucklanders to do their bit to protect themselves, their families, and the community. The sacrifice Aucklanders have made has been immense, but it has given the rest of the country time to increase vaccination rates.

"The country owes Aucklanders a debt of gratitude," Goff said.

4:50pm - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has quelled talk of some Auckland businesses using COVID-19 vaccine certificates earlier than others, which would allow them to operate after months of lockdown. 

Retail stores in Auckland have been able to open for a couple of weeks now since the city moved into alert level 3, step 2. But hospitality and other close-contact customer-facing businesses must remain closed.

"I've seen some of the commentary over the last 24 hours. There's been no decisions by Cabinet on any further easing of restrictions at this stage," Ardern told reporters in Christchurch on Friday.

"As we've consistently said though, what we would really encourage businesses in Auckland and across New Zealand to do, is to prepare for the new COVID Protection Framework.

"On 29 November, Cabinet will be making decisions at which level each part of the country will move into and then the country will move very soon after."

Read the full story here

4:37pm - Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the country is not on course for a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases over the summer, despite Aucklanders heading out for their holidays. 

"Modelling shows you what might happen in the future so it doesn't predict what will happen... The worst case scenario is predicting 16,000 cases in January but that's not what our current trajectory is and that is not what we are anticipating will happen."

He said vaccination rates remain the top priority. At the start of the Delta outbreak in Auckland the rates were around 23 percent fully vaccinated and are now 90 percent and are climbing around the country.

4:27 pm - The Ministry of Health has also released details on the NZ Pass Verifier, a free app for businesses to scan and verify their customers’ My Vaccine Pass.

You can see more details here

4:07pm - The Ministry of Health has released new locations of interest including Countdown in Bethlehem, Tauranga and two new Hamilton locations. 

For the full list click here. 

3:55pm - Dr Bloomfield also urged any who wasn't vaccinated to get jabbed as the country edged closer to its target of 90 percent. 

"The new COVID-19 Protection Framework hinges on high vaccination rates across the country and our vaccination efforts mean we can look forward to a summer with greater freedoms. But we’re not finished yet.

"Currently, nine DHBs have already vaccinated at least 90 percent of their eligible population with their first doses, which includes the three Auckland DHBs, MidCentral, Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Canterbury and Southern. A further four DHBs - Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson Marlborough and South Canterbury – have reached 89 percent first doses and only need to vaccinate 4300 more people between them to hit 90 percent. The remaining DHBs are hot on their heels.

"By this morning, nationally we have given 7,296,948 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 3,825,945 (91 percent) first doses and 3,471,003 (82 percent) second doses. To reach 90 percent fully vaccinated nationwide, a further 317,148 people need to get their second doses - that’s about 7.5 percent of our eligible population.

"I urge everyone who is yet to get vaccinated to please do so and for those of you yet to get your second dose, do it now if it is three weeks since your first dose. This is your best way of protecting yourself, your loved ones and your communities from COVID-19," Dr Bloomfield said.

3:47pm - Dr Ashley Bloomfiled has thanked Aucklanders for their efforts during the lengthy lockdown the city has endured and also for their efforts to get vaccinated so quickly. 

"At the start of today, the DHB only had 346 more people needing to get their second dose to hit 90 percent and they’d vaccinated that number by early this afternoon," Dr Bloomfield said.

"The collaboration between Māori, iwi, Pasifika, GPs, pharmacies and other primary care providers and Auckland DHB has been a crucial part of successfully reaching this milestone today.

"Auckland has showed true leadership with its Māori and Pasifika vaccinations. By this morning, only 755 more Māori in Auckland DHB need to receive a first dose to reach 90 percent and 75 percent are already fully vaccinated there so far. Only 1035 more Pasifika from the DHB need to receive a first dose to reach 90 percent and 78 percent are already fully vaccinated to date.

"This is a phenomenal achievement thanks to a massive effort by thousands of health workers rolling out the vaccine programme in our largest city and the 381,562 people in Auckland DHB who have rolled up their sleeves for their two shots to reach this 90 percent milestone.

"I want to congratulate you all for your outstanding commitment towards making New Zealand a safer place for yourselves, your whānau and your communities.

"I also acknowledge that Auckland has faced our greatest burden during this Delta outbreak and everyone across New Zealand owes a debt of gratitude to all Aucklanders for helping to keep us safe. Thank you.

3:37pm - The other DHBs in the Super City aren't far behind Auckland, as of Thursday  Waitematā DHB had 488,936 people (93 percent) having received their first dose and 455,958 (87 percent) have been fully vaccinated. To reach 90 percent fully vaccinated, a further 17,520 people need to get their second dose.

In Counties Manukau DHB, 441,322 people (91 percent) have received their first dose and 404,106 (84 percent) have been fully vaccinated. To reach 90 percent fully vaccinated, a further 30,390 people need to get their second dose.

3:17pm - Northern Region Health Coordination Centre’s Programme Director Matt Hannant says he is thrilled with the news Auckland DHB has become the first in the country to hit the 90 percent vaccination mark. 

"This success is absolutely down to the countless hours, good spirits and sustained efforts of all the community leaders, Māori and Pacific provider partners and GP, pharmacy and DHB staff. They’ve been out there at community events and on the streets with their mobile campervan clinics, doing everything from answering questions and providing vaccinations through to manning sausage sizzles.

"We really want to thank the community for stepping up to help protect themselves and their whānau."

He says the programme’s outreach teams have also done a tremendous job with vaccinating some of the harder to reach communities, with over 23,000 people vaccinated in recent weeks.  

Hannant says that lots of support is available for those who haven’t yet got their vaccination and might be feeling unsure.

"It’s okay to still be feeling a bit unsure. We know that some people still have questions, so please come along to have a chat to one of our staff members, or speak with your trusted health professional.

"There are still lots of opportunities to get your first or second dose now, so that you can start using the new vaccine pass and make the most of your summer. We also have free taxis available for those that might have difficulty getting along to a clinic."

More than 100 pop-up events are planned in the lead-up to Christmas in locations across the region ranging from schools through to stadiums and community centres.

Full details of opening hours and sites can be found here 

2:50pm - Auckland DHB will become the first in New Zealand to have 90 percent of its eligible population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Ministry of Health has revealed.

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the ministry said as of 11:45am on Friday, just 101 more people needed to get their second dose to cross the threshold.

Based on Auckland DHB's rolling seven-day average of 1058 second doses administered a day, the 90 percent mark should easily be reached in time for the weekend.

Read more here.

2:40pm - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has quashed speculation that quarantine rules could change to allow overseas arrivals to self-isolate at home in time for Christmas. 

"We have said that the next stage for changes at our border will be self-isolation. We've said that will be in the first quarter of next year," Ardern told reporters in Christchurch on Friday. 

"We will work to provide greater specificity - dates that people can work to. But we have already indicated that it will be in the first quarter."

Her comments came after former National Party staffer Matthew Hooton wrote in an article for the New Zealand Herald that COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins would announce changes before the end of the month to allow returning Kiwis to self-isolate at home.

"It now seems certain it will mean the end, before Christmas, of the managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) lottery system that has so stained Jacinda Ardern's, and New Zealand's, honour," Hooton wrote. 

But Ardern said the Government is sticking to its plan of introducing self-isolation for international arrivals in the first quarter of next year. 

"For the better part of two years now as we've managed COVID-19, we have brought in our managed isolation facilities, which have done an amazing job of supporting our strategy," she said.  

"But we are now changing, moving forward, and with that will come changes to the way that we require people to look after themselves when they return home. 

"But MIQ, once we change that setting, does mean that there'll be much greater options for New Zealanders to return home." 

Read more here.

2:30pm - Organisers of the Caroline Bay Carnival say they've made the hard decision to cancel this year's event - the first time it's done so in 111 years.

The carnival was set to be held between December 26 and January 10.

The decision was announced at a volunteer meeting last night.

"The Govt guidelines at the time of making our decision meant there was no way we could run our carnival," the organisers said on Facebook.

"We feel the well being of volunteers and the community and any exposure of COVID 19 into the district would jeopardize the carnival and as hard as the decision was to make, we believe it was the right one."

Read more here.

2:20pm - There are two new locations of interest as of 2pm.

They are KFC in Tokoroa and Ronnies Cafe & Bakery in Matamata.

Click here for the relevant dates, times, and public health advice.

2:15pm - Dr Ashley Bloomfield insists the Ministry of Health has been sharing critical data with Māori health providers to boost vaccination rates, despite community leaders and the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency maintaining the information has not been released.

The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, a cross-government programme with a kaupapa Māori approach, is taking legal action against the Ministry of Health for its refusal to release individual-level data on Māori who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. In the ongoing stoush, the agency has repeatedly requested the ministry to provide the contact details of unvaccinated Māori across the North Island, which would allow the team to target specific individuals and boost uptake among vulnerable communities. The ministry had rejected its request, citing privacy concerns.

Last week, Whānau Ora returned to court for a further attempt at obtaining the data. It follows a High Court hearing earlier this month which ruled against the ministry, asking it to reconsider its refusal to withhold the data. On November 5, Dr Bloomfield - the Director-General of Health - contacted the agency to say the ministry had reviewed its earlier decision and still would not be releasing the information. He argued that sharing data for the North Island would not be as effective as releasing more localised information, due to variations in Whānau Ora's coverage.

During an interview with Waatea News on November 12, Bloomfield said the ministry had agreed to provide the agency with information on unvaccinated Māori in Auckland and Hamilton, arguing the Ministry of Health has, and will continue to, share data with Māori providers and iwi.

Bloomfield doubled-down on his comments on Friday, telling The AM Show that information has been "flowing for some months" and work is underway to get a "data-sharing agreement" in place.

"We've been working very closely with Māori providers and iwi right around the motu for some months now and providing data, which has been used to great effect to increase vaccination rates in Te Tai Tokerau [Northland] but also around the country," he said.

"There has been information flowing for some months and that has really supported the [vaccination] efforts to date."

But it appears not everyone is on the same page. Following Bloomfield's interview with Waatea News last Friday, Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency chief executive John Tamihere claimed earlier this week that the data had still not been shared with the agency. 

Read more here.

2:05pm - After a tough year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins is wishing students well for their upcoming NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exams.

"The last few months in particular have been a challenge, and I encourage students to do their best with exams – the last milestone before a well-earned summer break," Hipkins said on Friday.

"I congratulate students for their hard work throughout the year, but especially in the second half of Term 3 and the start of Term 4, which have been disrupted by COVID-19.

"My advice is stick to a study plan, remember to build in breaks for exercise, rest and relaxation and talk to someone if the pressure is getting too much."

There are a range of measures in place to ensure students will have a fair opportunity to attain NCEA and progress to further study or work - despite the impact of COVID-19.

"These include the two-week delay to exams and most portfolio submission dates and reintroducing Learning Recognition Credits," Hipkins said.

"For students in Auckland, Northland and those parts of Waikato, which were in alert level 3 at the start of Term 4, amended thresholds for endorsements and University Entrance will apply, and they will be eligible to receive Unexpected Event Grades if they are unable to attend their final exams due to disruption."

Exams end on December 14, by which time around 140,000 students will have participated in 129 NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exam sessions.

"Over 50,000 students from around 350 schools are entered to sit some NCEA exams online. This year, 69 online exams will be available across NCEA Levels 1, 2, 3 and one NZ Scholarship subject.

"The increase of more than 25,000 students compared to the number who sat a digital exam last year shows that schools and students continue to gain confidence in shifting away from pens and paper."

NCEA results will be released in the third week of January, with New Zealand Scholarship results following in February.

Information for students, including resources to help manage exam pressure, study tips and details about the health and safety measures in place around exams, can be found at www.nzqa.govt.nz/exams.

2pm - The person who has returned a weak-positive result for COVID-19 in Wellington is a construction worker based at the Omaroro Reservoir site in the central suburb of Mount Cook, acting chief executive of Wellington Water, Kevin Locke, confirmed to Newshub on Friday afternoon. 

"We can confirm that one of the workers from our Omaroro Reservoir construction site has received a weak-positive test result for COVID-19 as part of routine surveillance testing," Locke said.

"The worker has not had any symptoms and is fully vaccinated. The site is open air, has been complying with COVID-19 protocols, and has kept a record of everybody who has been on-site.

"We are following the advice coming from the Ministry of Health as we respond to this situation."

1:45pm - Dr Shane Reti is accusing Health Minister Andrew Little of failing to assess levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the pandemic, calling it "one of the dumbest things the Government has done" in a scathing statement on Friday.

In an answer to a question submitted by Dr Reti, the National Party's Health spokesperson, to Little on November 16, the Health Minister confirmed "officials have not been auditing district health boards stock levels" since the outbreak of the Delta variant began.

"Rather, they respond directly to orders placed for PPE and seek clarification with DHBs directly if orders are not placed regularly by DHBs for PPE items," he said.

Dr Reti is now calling on Little to urgently restart weekly inventory audits for PPE, saying the minister needs to organise "an immediate stock-take".

"Surely the most important time to assess PPE is when it is needed during a pandemic, yet this is exactly when Andrew Little stopped counting," Dr Reti said.

"The proposition that - if the Government hasn't heard from a district health board for a while - a check is then done to see how they are doing for PPE is the most amateurish logistics chain one can imagine. Frankly, it's embarrassing."

Reti claims the Health Minister has "no idea" if District Health Boards have sufficient stocks of PPE.

"Which runs the risk of going the same way as ICU beds, negative pressure rooms and hospital visitor policy – too little, too late, until urgency swamps them."

1:30pm - Hawke's Bay District Health Board doctors and midwives say they are aware of misinformation circulating in the region regarding miscarriage, stillbirth and early neonatal death and the COVID-19 vaccine.

Paediatrician and Medical Director for Whānau and Communities, Dr Philip Moore, said not only are the claims unfounded, but they are putting pregnant women at risk.

"Every miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death is a tragedy for the family involved. To use these tragedies to push an anti-vaccination agenda and to reduce confidence in vaccine safety is a despicable act," Dr Moore said on Friday.

No related links between the vaccine and miscarriage, the vaccine and stillbirth or the vaccine and neonatal deaths have been reported by Medsafe, New Zealand's medicines and safety authority - and none in Hawke's Bay.

"The Pfizer vaccine does not contain a live virus or any ingredients that are harmful to pregnant people or their baby, and the vaccine is recommended at any stage of pregnancy," Dr Moore said.

Dr Moore's concerns are echoed by Dr Kirsten Gaerty, the DHB's Head of Department for Obstetrics, who encouraged pregnant women to get vaccinated as the virus can cause severe illness for expecting mums.

"In the United Kingdom, one in five people severely unwell with COVID-19 are unvaccinated pregnant women," Dr Gaerty said.

"Research shows that if you're not vaccinated, pregnant, and catch COVID-19, you are more likely to be admitted to a hospital's intensive care unit. There is also an increased risk of preterm birth and stillbirth for women that have COVID-19 when they are pregnant.

"The vaccine protects you and your baby," she said. "You're far less likely to fall seriously ill and there is evidence that babies can get antibodies through the placenta that help protect them from COVID-19."

Catherine Overfield, the Interim Director of Midwifery for the DHB, said its important pregnant women receive evidence-based information and advice when making their decision about whether to get vaccinated.

"We encourage any pregnant person with questions or concerns around the COVID-19 vaccine to speak with their lead maternity carer in the first instance. While all our midwives are vaccinated in accordance with the Vaccination Order, we will continue to provide high quality care to all māma, their pēpi and whānau regardless of their vaccination status," she said.

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is supported by health authorities, including the Royal Australian and NZ College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Immunisation Advisory Centre and New Zealand College of Midwives.

For further trusted information, visit the following websites:

• COVID-19 vaccine: Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Ministry of Health NZ
• Unite against COVID-19
• Karawhiua - Protect Communities from COVID-19
• New Zealand College of Midwives
• The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Home | The Immunisation Advisory Centre (immune.org.nz).

1:16pm - Here's a wastewater update:

COVID-19 has been detected in wastewater samples collected from Pahiatua, a rural town in the Wairarapa, on November 15 and 16 but was not detected in a sample collected on November 17.

Testing is in progress at a number of other sites across the region, including Feilding and Dannevirke, with results due next week.

Anyone in the area who has symptoms – no matter how mild – is encouraged to get tested, even if they are vaccinated. There is testing available in Pahiatua today at the Pahiatua Medical Centre, on the corner of Main St and Centre St until 5pm. Please call ahead for an appointment.

Testing is also available over the weekend in Palmerston North at 575 Main Street from 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday.

At this stage, there are no other unexpected wastewater results to report.

1:15pm - Here are the Ministry of Health's updates on the latest cases by region:

Today's cases

Today we are announcing new cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wairarapa and Canterbury.

A case announced on Thursday in the Bay of Plenty has been officially added to today's figures, as well as a case announced on Thursday in Ashurst. A case reported on Thursday in Levin has been reclassified as a Wairarapa case and has been added to the region's tally.

A second case being reported today in Lakes District Health Board is under investigation and may reside outside of the district.

Information on the new cases is included in the regional updates below.

Auckland update

There are 152 new COVID-19 cases to report in Auckland today.

There are 18 community testing centres available for testing across Auckland today. The Pukekohe community testing centre is open until 5:30pm and over the weekend. Testing centres at Northcote, Balmoral, Wiri and Ōtara continue to operate extended hours.

In the past week there have been 112,511 community tests for COVID-19 received at labs across Auckland. This is an incredible effort – especially for all front line testing staff who are out in all weathers, and the laboratory teams who are working tirelessly to process these swabs.           

Public health staff are now supporting 5200 people to safely isolate at home, which includes 2035 cases. 

The Ministry can confirm the woman in her 80s who died on Thursday at Middlemore Hospital was a resident of Edmonton Meadows Care Home. Our condolences are with her family and friends at this sad time.

Lakes

Today we are announcing two new cases in Lakes, bring the region's total to 17. One case is in Taupō and is a household contact of a known case. They are self-isolating at home.

A second case being reported today in Lakes DHB is under investigation and may reside outside of the district.

Anyone with COVID-related symptoms in the region is encouraged to get tested – even if the symptoms are mild. Testing is available today in Rotorua and Taupō. Please check the Healthpoint website for details.

On Thursday, 555 tests were carried out across the region. Across the region, 86 percent of eligible people have had at least one dose of the vaccine and 75 percent have had two doses.

Waikato update

There are 30 cases of COVID-19 to report in Waikato today, bringing the total number associated with this outbreak to 214.

One new location of interest has been added for Cambridge. There is one case currently receiving care at Waikato Hospital.

Across the Waikato there are eight pop-up and dedicated testing centres operating today in Hamilton, Ōtorohanga, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, Thames and Te Kuiti.

There were 3100 tests processed in the Waikato on Thursday and 2293 vaccinations administered.

In the Waikato region, public health staff are supporting 300 people to isolate at home, including 115 cases and 185 contacts.

Bay of Plenty

Today we are reporting six new cases in the Bay of Plenty, one of which was first announced on Thursday. This takes the region's total to seven.

Of the new cases announced today, one lives in the Tauranga area and four are in Mount Maunganui. All but one are household contacts of existing cases.

Links between the remaining Mount Maunganui case and other known cases are still being investigated. All cases are self-isolating at home.

As a precaution, a Bay of Plenty school linked to one of the cases had been closed today and all students and staff are being offered tests.

Interviews are continuing to determine the movements of positive cases. Any locations of interest will be added to the Ministry's website as they are identified.

Everyone who lives in or has travelled to the region is asked to monitor the locations of interest regularly and follow any advice given. Anyone with COVID-related symptoms is asked to get tested as soon as possible – even if the symptoms are mild. Testing locations can be found on the Healthpoint website.

On Thursday, 409 tests were carried out across the region. Eighty-seven percent of eligible people have had at least one dose of the vaccine and 77 percent have had two doses.

Wairarapa

A case reported on Thursday in Levin has been reclassified as a Wairarapa case and has been added to its tally. The case is a close contact of an existing case and is now isolating with them in the Wairarapa.

This takes the region's total number of cases to three.

People in Wairarapa are advised to check the Ministry's website for any locations of interest and if they have symptoms, even if they are mild and they are vaccinated, get a free test at your nearest medical practice. Please check Healthpoint for details.

As investigations continue, additional locations of interest at sites in Wairarapa will be added to the Ministry of Health's webpage if they are identified.

On Thursday, 182 tests were carried out across the region. Across the region, 89 percent of eligible people have had at least one dose of the vaccine and 73 percent have had two doses.

Canterbury

There is one new case to report in Christchurch today. The case recently travelled to the North Island, and a probable link to another case is being investigated.

Every new case is an urgent reminder to get tested if you're feeling unwell. Testing at high numbers will help to minimise and contain the spread of COVID-19 in Christchurch.

There is good testing capacity across the city today and over the weekend. Testing locations throughout Canterbury can be found on the Canterbury DHB website.  

The Ministry continues to ask people in Canterbury to regularly check the Ministry's locations of interest page.

If you haven't had your first dose yet, or are overdue for your second dose, there's plenty of capacity at vaccination clinics in Canterbury this weekend.

On Thursday in Canterbury more than 2700 tests were processed and more than 3200 vaccinations administered.

Northland update

There are three cases to report in Northland; one is a close contact in Kaitaia, one is a close contact in Whangarei with a clear link to an Auckland case, and one is in Waipu with public health interviews underway this morning.

We urge everyone in Northland to remain vigilant and get tested if you have any symptoms that could be COVID-19. We also ask people in Northland to regularly check the locations of interest webpage.

A pop-up testing centre will be stood up at the Ruakaka race course today to increase testing capacity in the area, in response to the Waipu case.

The Centre will be open today from 1pm to 5pm and 9am to 2pm on Saturday and Monday. Further testing locations in Northland can be found on the Northland DHB website.

Vaccination is Northland's best defence against COVID-19, especially as cases continue to be detected throughout the region.

If you haven't been vaccinated yet, get your first dose today. It could save your life, and others.

1:13pm - The Ministry of Health has confirmed an essential worker in Wellington has returned a weak-positive result.

The result was picked up on Thursday night as part of routine surveillance testing in Wellington.

The essential worker is from Auckland and is currently working in the capital.

The result could indicate a historical case or a case in the earlier stages of infection.

The worker is having a repeat test on Friday and follow-up with the workplace includes the testing of co-workers.

1:12pm - As of mid-morning on Friday, about 700,000 people had successfully downloaded their My Vaccine Pass.

The system is operating smoothly and capacity has been increased, so we encourage people to go to MyCovidRecord.health.nz to book their My Vaccine Pass to be ready for summer, the Ministry of Health says.

1:11pm - There are 198 new cases of COVID-19 to report on Friday. Here are today's figures from the Ministry of Health:

Auckland DHB to reach 90 pct double-dosed this afternoon; 76 in hospital & 6 in ICU; 198 cases

Auckland DHB is fast closing in on being the first DHB in the country to be 90 percent fully vaccinated – as of 11:45am today, there were just 101 more people who needed to receive their second shot to reach this significant milestone. The DHB is expected to reach this marker this afternoon.

And, as of earlier morning, only 755 more Māori from Auckland DHB need to receive their first dose to reach 90 percent of Māori getting their first vaccination. Seventy-five percent are already fully vaccinated in this DHB so far.

Only 1035 more Pasifika from Auckland DHB need to receive their first dose to reach 90 percent of Pasifika, and 78 percent are already fully vaccinated.

** The number of cases here may sometimes differ from the total reported the previous day due to a difference in reporting timeframes and reclassifications.

12:45pm - According to RNZ, HEB Construction has confirmed it was notified by the Ministry of Health on Thursday night of a weak positive result in a worker in Wellington. He is not symptomatic and is fully vaccinated.

Porirua-based Dr Bryan Betty, the director of the College of a GPs, told Midday Report they were notified of the case on Friday morning.

RNZ understands the construction worker has been in isolation since he returned the weak positive result earlier this week.

Dr Betty said it was always a matter of when, not if, COVID-19 would reach the capital - but it reinforced the urgent need for vaccination.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker told the programme she was very worried about the low vaccination rates in some areas, particularly Cannons Creek and Waitangirua.

12:35pm - There will be no press conference at 1pm today. The Ministry of Health will instead release a statement with the latest updates.

12:25pm - Simon Bridges says requiring vaccine passes to enter shops and bars will be "completely unworkable" - despite the National Party pushing for the certificates for months and Judith Collins saying she was "delighted" they're finally here. 

The Government this week rolled out 'My Vaccine Pass', which allows fully vaccinated Kiwis to get official documentation proving their status. It can be saved directly to your phone - accessible from your homescreen via a single click - or downloaded and printed into a physical copy. 

The rollout comes ahead of December's expected move to the Government's COVID-19 Protection Framework, a three-step 'traffic light' system. At each level, venues such as bars, restaurants, gyms and close-contact businesses, as well as major events, will have fewer capacity restrictions - but only if they adopt the vaccine pass system, which rewards vaccinated people with pre-pandemic freedoms.

If venues or businesses decide not to opt for vaccine certificates, many won't be allowed to operate at all, or only do so contactlessly, under the 'Red' and 'Orange' settings.

"I think it's going to be completely unworkable," National MP Bridges told The AM Show on Friday, appearing with senior Labour MP David Parker. 

"Either what you're going to have around the country is a police state where the police are out there looking for passports or certificates everywhere, and at shops and here there and everywhere - or else it's going to fall by the wayside. 

"I just can't see how bars, restaurants are retail and so on are going to make this work. When David says they've put a lot of thought into it, I'd love to see the evidence of that. The Prime Minister, when she was asked these sorts of questions, couldn't answer very many of them."

Read more here.

12:15pm - There is one new location of interest to report as of 12pm - Caltex in Dargaville.

Click here for the relevant date, times and public health advice.

12:08pm - The Prime Minister has addressed reports of a suspected case of COVID-19 in the capital, saying it's "too soon to speculate".

"At this stage, [there's] nothing more that I can provide you. Of course, expecting as per usual the updates to come through at 1pm," she told reporters shortly after 12pm.

"At this stage, [it's] too soon to speculate around anything on cases for which we at this stage don’t have further details to report, but I expect more at 1pm. I can't confirm anything at this stage."

According to several sources cited by Stuff, the suspected case is a fully vaccinated construction worker.

11:50am - Health officials are investigating a suspected case of COVID-19 in the Wellington region, Stuff understands.

The virus continues to creep down the nation, with people testing positive as far south as Levin and the Wairarapa.

Citing multiple sources with knowledge of the case, Stuff reports the person is understood to be a fully vaccinated construction worker on a major infrastructure project.

Regional Public Health has been alerted, with places of interest already identified in the Hutt Valley and Porirua, the outlet reports, citing the same sources.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean told Stuff the council is aware that "information is swirling" about a suspected case. Hutt City Council spokesman Jarred Griffiths also told Stuff the local authority is aware of reports that a construction worker with links to Lower Hutt is suspected to have tested positive for the virus.

11:30am - One new location of interest has been identified so far on Friday.

Any passengers on Bus 3 Fleet 2976 from Christchurch Airport to Bus Interchange (Platform A) on Saturday, November 13 between 2:30pm and 3:15pm is asked to self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after the date of exposure.

If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until a negative result is returned and for 24 hours after symptoms resolve.

11:10am - In a piece on Friday morning, New Zealand Herald columnist Matthew Hooton reports that COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins late on Thursday promised to announce changes to the MIQ system before the end of November. These changes, reported to come into effect before Christmas, would be around allowing returning New Zealanders to self-isolate at home.

That would be a major shift from the Government's previous position that home isolation wouldn't happen until next year. 

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government has "indicated the first quarter of next year" for home isolation. She said specific dates would be revealed before the end of the year.

10:55am - National's Simon Bridges says the Government's upcoming traffic light system is as clear as mud and admits he doesn't "exactly understand" how it will work.

It's time for a "clear plan and to open up", he told The AM Show on Friday morning.

Bridges, the MP for Tauranga, said it was inevitable COVID-19 was going to arrive in the city after two cases were found in Bay of Plenty on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Labour's David Parker argued that the Government's plan is pretty simple.

Regarding vaccine certificates, Parker said hospitality venues are accustomed to checking customers' identifications and should be able to use similar methods to check their vaccine passes.

But Bridges said the system will be "completely unworkable". He argued that New Zealand will either become a "police state" where officers are continuously checking people's passes, or enforcing the certificates will fall by the wayside.

Parker said New Zealand has done extremely well with handling COVID-19 so far and these sorts of issues have yet to arise until now. 

10:45am - The Director-General of Health has told RNZ the worst-case scenario once Aucklanders begin leaving the region over summer is 16,000 cases a week in January.

However, he says we are not on track to hit that high number.

The New Zealand Herald reports the 16,000 figure is based on the model for north of the southern Auckland boundary (about 5400 cases a week at the upper end, which is based on 90 percent of the eligible population being vaccinated) and tripling it for the whole country.

A more optimistic situation would be 600 cases a week in Auckland and further north, which would equate to about 1800 cases a week nationally. That's fewer than what is currently being recorded.

10:35am - Dr Ashley Bloomfield told The AM Show earlier this morning that a shipment of 100,000 AstraZeneca doses has arrived in New Zealand.

There is a "relatively small" number of people who can't get the Pfizer vaccine due to medical reasons, he says. The ministry is also aware of some people who don't want to receive a mRNA vaccine and wish to have an alternative. It's unclear exactly how many of these people there are.

He said it's disappointing there were unreasonable delays with the release of information under the Official Information Act to Newshub. The ministry has high standards they wish to uphold and has a good track record in meeting request deadlines, Bloomfield said.

As of 6pm on Thursday, more than 500,000 people have downloaded their vaccine certificates. Dr Bloomfield encouraged people to get their passport downloaded in the next 10 days, ahead of Cabinet's decision on November 29 regarding New Zealand's move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

10:25am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live updates on the COVID-19 outbreak for Friday, November 19.