More than 100 people are now either infected with the Omicron variant or are suspected of carrying the highly infectious strain due to a link to a confirmed case.
Fifteen new cases of the variant have been recorded on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed or suspected Omicron infections to 105.
Meanwhile, 105 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported overall, 76 of which are in Auckland.
The Omicron variant of COVID-19, which produces less severe illness but is incredibly transmissible, found a foothold in the community over the weekend when nine people tested positive for the virus in Motueka. The family had travelled to Auckland the weekend prior for a wedding and other events.
The January Omicron Cluster, which currently spans Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, MidCentral, and Nelson-Tasman, is projected to increase to possibly tens of thousands of cases, with experts warning the strain could infect half of the population in a matter of months.
What you need to know
- All of New Zealand is currently under the red setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework, which was reinstated at 11:59pm on Sunday
- Fifteen new cases of the Omicron variant have been reported on Friday - 105 people are now either confirmed or suspected cases
- There are 105 new cases of the virus to report on Friday - Auckland (76), Waikato (5), Tairawhiti (1), Bay of Plenty (9), Lakes (7), Hawke's Bay (1), MidCentral (1), Nelson Marlborough (2), Canterbury (3) - some of these were initially reported on Thursday
- Multiple people have tested positive for the virus in Auckland after attending Soundsplash Festival in Hamilton last weekend - so far two attendees are confirmed to be infected with Omicron
- The Government's three-phase plan for managing Omicron has been revealed
- New modelling predicts 80,000 new infections a day at the peak of New Zealand's outbreak.
Follow Newshub's live updates below - app users, click here
These live updates are now closed
07:00 - Netball New Zealand Head of High Performance Keir Hansen has confirmed members of the Silver Ferns travelling party, who recently returned from the Netball Quad Series in London, have received positive test results for Covid-19 during their stay in MIQ.
The affected members of the travelling party are being managed in accordance with MIQ procedures and Ministry of Health guidance and being supported by Silver Ferns medical staff.
Every person in the touring party following strict protocols while in London and returned a negative predeparture test prior to their travel back to New Zealand.
To respect the privacy of the wider group Netball NZ will not be releasing any further medical details at this time.
6:00pm - A flight from Napier to Christchurch has been named as a new location of interest by the Ministry of Health. NZ5771 which flew between the two locations on Monday January 24 is a close contact location and people should self-isolate and get tested.
Christchurch Airport has also been named a location of interest as has an event at Hamilton Gardens Pavillion on Sunday January 23.
For more details click here
4:50pm - A spokesperson for the Auckland Indian Association says there were approximately 600 people at a wedding at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre Eden Terrace on Saturday.
The event was listed earlier on Friday as a location of interest by the Ministry of Health.
The president of the Auckland Indian Association confirmed the case at the wedding is Omicron
4:30pm - The Good George Gin Caravan at the Polo in the Bay tournament at Mount Maunganui has been listed as a high risk location of interest.
People who were at the location should isolate and get tested.
More information is here
4:00pm - The Ministry of Health says suspected Omicron cases were among a large number of people who went to a polo event at the Trustpower Baypark Stadium in Tauranga on Saturday.
Of major concern for Toi Te Ora Public Health is exposure at the polo event held at Trustpower Baypark Stadium between 1pm and 6.15pm on Saturday, 22 January.
For more information click here
3:37pm - Nearly all vaccination centres across Tāmaki Makaurau will be open this long weekend, to allow people to get their booster doses and their tamariki aged 5 to 11 immunised against COVID-19 in time for school.
There are also a few pop-up events happening that whānau can head along to, including Rally Your Village ‘school edition’ run by South Seas. It’s a two-day, drive-through event starting today at Ōtara town centre carpark, where there will be dedicated kids’ zones and back to school packs on offer.
Other events include pop-ups at the Kelly Tarlton’s carpark in Ōrākei on Saturday and at Sylvia Park in Mt Wellington from today until Sunday.
NRHCC Associate Clinical Director Anthony Jordan says: “With the school year getting underway next week, we’re encouraging parents and caregivers to prioritise bringing their tamariki aged 5 to 11 down to a nearby vaccination site this weekend, or to visit their local GP or pharmacy offering paediatric vaccinations.”
There are currently more than 300 GPs and pharmacies across the city delivering paediatric vaccinations, with that number increasing steadily.
Dr Jordan says with the rising number of cases of Omicron in the community, it’s especially important that people over the age of 18 who had their second dose at least four months ago get their booster dose now.
"We know from international evidence that booster doses provide good protection against Omicron, and by achieving high levels of booster protection across Tāmaki Makaurau, we will be able to reduce the spread and severity in the community."
Further details about this Auckland Anniversary weekend’s events are as follows - and at vaccinateforauckland.nz
- Sylvia Park Pop-up - Wed 26-Sun 30 Jan, 9:30am-4:30pm, 286 Mount Wellington Highway
- Rally Your Village Otara (drive-through) - Fri 28 Jan, 12pm-6pm and Saturday 29 Jan, 9am-2pm, 20 Newbury Street, Ōtara
- Kelly Tarltons Pop-up - Sat 29 Jan, 9am-2pm, 23 Tamaki Drive, Ōrākei
- Otakanini Marae - Sat 29 Jan, 9am-12pm, 405 South Head Road, Otakanini
3:00pm - Two more locations at Auckland Airport have been named as locations of interest. AirGo Convenience and Regional Arrivals Terminal have both been highlighted by the Ministry of Health.
For more details click here.
2:30pm - Hawke’s Bay DHB has two new COVID-19 cases to report today.
One case, which will be officially reported in the Ministry of Health’s numbers tomorrow, is linked to Soundsplash Festival in Hamilton and is under investigation.
The other case is not part of the known Hastings Delta cluster, though is linked to a reported case from out of the region. There is no known link with this case to Omicron cases.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Nick Jones said Public Health was investigating and new locations of interest would be added as inquiries continued. He urged people to continue to check the Ministry of Health’s locations of interest page for any new updates.
Dr Jones again reiterated the importance for people to get tested if they had any cold or flu like symptoms, no matter how minor.
“The quicker we identify people and isolate them along with their close contacts the more chance we have of stopping any further spread of the virus.”
Drive-in testing centres and booked appointments are available and include:
Friday 28 January:
- Splash planet Hastings drive through 10am -3pm
- Whitmore Park Napier drive through 10am - 1pm
- CHB Health Centre drive through 9am - 4pm
Saturday 29 January
- Whitmore Park Napier drive through 10-3pm no appointment necessary
- Totara Health Flaxmere drive through 10-3pm no appointment necessary
- CHB Health Centre drive through 11am-1.30pm
Sunday 30 January
- Splash Planet, Hastings drive through 10-3pm no appointment necessary
- CHB Health Centre drive through 11am-1.30pm
2:00pm - Waikato Regional Council will require a My Vaccine Pass for entry to all its premises from 1 February 2022 under the Orange and Red settings of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
The policy covers all staff, councillors, committee members, service providers and members of the public aged over 12 years and three months.
Waikato Regional Council Chief Executive Chris McLay said: "
Under the Red setting it’s business as usual for us, but with increased safety measures. Our offices remain open to the public and staff, and council meetings continue to be a hybrid of in person and virtual.
"But we’ve been told Omicron is the most transmissible variant of COVID-19 yet, and now there is a growing number of cases across New Zealand. So we are taking a cautious approach to protect our staff and community.
"We believe this is the right thing to do for right now,” he said.
"We’re committed to protecting staff and members of the public from harm while undertaking our duties or while working on, or visiting our buildings, facilities and worksites and when undertaking field work or work in other places," Mr McLay said.
"There are several ways we can protect ourselves and minimise the chances of getting COVID-19, including the use of face coverings, physical distancing and good hygiene practices. But vaccination is the vital tool in the toolkit," he said.
1:42pm - There are 105 new cases of COVID-19 in the community to report on Friday.
See the full update from the Ministry of Health below:
More than 1.2 million boosters now given; 105 community cases; 4 people in hospital
The West Coast has become the 17th DHB to fully vaccinate more than 90 percent of its residents with two doses.
Yesterday 13,112 paediatric doses were administered, bringing the total to 137,301. A further 23,000 doses are booked in and 29 percent of 5 to 11 year olds have now received their first dose.
Yesterday 46,827 booster doses were administered, bring the total to 1,210,768 – of those due for a booster, 65 percent of people have now received one.
Testing
We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with COVID-19 symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if they are vaccinated and to stay at home until they return a negative test result.
We need to focus testing on those who are symptomatic and contacts of cases to ensure our testing centres don't quickly become overwhelmed and so we can continue to support the public health response.
Omicron update
Public health teams are continuing to manage Omicron cases in the community through rapidly isolating cases and contacts, contact tracing, and testing to slow the spread.
To date, 105 community cases of COVID-19 have either been confirmed as the Omicron variant or have been linked to a previously reported Omicron case. This is an increase of 15 since yesterday.
Some of these additional cases have previously been reported as COVID-19 cases and linked retrospectively either through whole genome sequencing or epidemiologically.
Therefore, some are not included in today's reported new COVID-19 community cases.
There are active cases being treated as Omicron in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, MidCentral, and Nelson-Tasman.
The number of cases and contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron and as we learn more from case interviews.
We're asking everyone in New Zealand to act like Omicron is circulating in their community.
That means wearing a mask in indoor settings with people you don't know, physical distancing and scanning in using the COVID-19 Tracer app, when you're out and about.
Anyone with any cold or flu symptoms that could be COVID-19 is asked to 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. So if you have these symptoms, please get a test.
COVID-19 vaccine update
Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 4,037,775 first doses (96 pct); 3,956,708 second doses (94 pct); 1,210,768 booster doses
Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,315 first doses; 2,314 second doses; 13,112 paediatric doses; 46,827 booster doses.
Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 511,325 first doses (90 pct); 483,809 second doses (85 pct).
Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 276,590 first doses (96 pct); 268,268 second doses (94 pct).
Paediatric vaccines administered to date (percentage of 5-11-year-olds): 137,301 first doses (29 pct)
Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 17,632 first doses (15 pct)
Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 9,404 first doses (19 pct)
Vaccination rates for all DHBs (percentage of eligible people aged 12 +)
Northland DHB: First doses (90 pct); second doses (86 pct)
Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (97 pct); second doses (95 pct)
Waikato DHB: First doses (95 pct); second doses (92 pct)
Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (95 pct); second doses (92 pct)
Lakes DHB: First doses (93 pct); second doses (90 pct)
MidCentral DHB: First doses (96 pct); second doses (94 pct)
Tairawhiti DHB: First doses (93 pct); second doses (89 pct)
Whanganui DHB: First doses (92 pct); second doses (89 pct)
Hawke's Bay: First doses (96 pct); second doses (93 pct)
Taranaki DHB: First doses (94 pct); second doses (92 pct)
Wairarapa DHB: First doses (96 pct); second doses (94 pct)
Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98 pct); second doses (97 pct)
Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (96 pct); second doses (95 pct)
Nelson Marlborough DHB: First doses (96 pct); second doses (94 pct)
West Coast DHB: First doses (93 pct); second doses (90 pct)
Canterbury DHB: First doses (99 pct); second doses (97 pct)
South Canterbury DHB: First doses (95 pct); second doses (93 pct)
Southern DHB: First doses (97 pct); second doses (96 pct)
Hospitalisations
Cases in hospital: 4; North Shore: 2; Middlemore: 1, Rotorua: 1,
Average age of current hospitalisations: 66
Cases in ICU or HDU: 1 (Rotorua)
As the number of total hospitalised cases is currently below five, we have removed the vaccination status for Northern Region hospitalisations, for privacy reasons.
Cases
Seven day rolling average of community cases: 40
Seven day rolling average of border cases: 41
Number of new community cases: 105
Number of new cases identified at the border: 45
*Location of new community cases: Auckland (76), Waikato (5), Tairawhiti (1), Bay of Plenty (9), Lakes (7), Hawke's Bay (1), MidCentral (1), Nelson Marlborough (2), Canterbury (3)
Number of community cases (total): 11,713 (in current community outbreaks)
Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8,927
Number of active cases (total): 567 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
Confirmed cases (total): 15,615
Contacts
Number of active contacts being managed (total): 5,852
Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 78 pct
Percentage who has returned at least one result: 74 pct
Tests
Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 21,232
Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 17,513
Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 9,958
Wastewater
A new detection from Katikati on 25 January. See further details in the Bay of Plenty section.
NZ COVID Tracer
Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,589,764
Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 50,859
My Vaccine Pass
My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,958,903
My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 16,287.
1:10pm - Māori health leaders say something needs to be done to close the vaccination gap for Māori.
Indigenous researcher Rawiri Taonui, who has been tracking COVID-19 since it arrived in Aotearoa, said the latest variant was yet to emerge in Māori communities but, like Delta, it was only a matter of time.
Dr Taonui said the position for many communities was perilous - as of Thursday, only 22 percent of Māori have had a booster. About 105,000 Māori were ineligible until March, he said.
"The overall vaccination rollout disadvantaged Māori because it was age-related and our population is very youthful, so it got pushed to the back of the line.
"Māori health providers have led a very strong effort to vaccinate Māori, but one of the issues that emerges is that cohort won't qualify for a booster until March."
That is when Omicron is forecast to peak, possibly with tens of thousands of cases - which has Māori health workers worried.
Dr Taonui said to address this, the Government should reduce the gap between the second dose and the booster shot from four months to three. But the Government has said that decision had to come off the back of health advice.
12:55pm - Everyone who attended Polo in the Bay in Mt Maunganui on January 22 must self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after the date of exposure.
If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you receive a negative result.
All bar patrons at the event are considered close contacts and must self-isolate and get tested immediately, indicating the case was a staffer. The event has not yet been linked to the Omicron outbreak.
Close contact: Polo in the Bay Mount Maunganui *BAR PATRONS*
- 81 Truman Lane, RD 5, Tauranga 3175
- Saturday, January 22, 12:57pm - 6:15pm
- Self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health. Record your visit online or call Healthline so our contact tracers can get in touch.
Polo in the Bay Mount Maunganui *ALL ATTENDEES*
- 81 Truman Lane, RD 5, Tauranga 3175
- Saturday, January 22, 12:57pm - 6:15pm
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
There are also several other new locations of interest - these have not yet been linked to an Omicron case.
The foodcourt at Auckland Airport's Domestic Terminal has also been listed as a high-risk exposure event.
Close contact: Foodcourt, Auckland Airport Domestic Terminal
- 1 Ray Emery Drive, Auckland Airport, Auckland 2022
- Monday, January 24, 2:40pm - 3pm
- Self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health. Record your visit online or call Healthline so our contact tracers can get in touch.
Labtest Greenlane Collection Centre, Royal Oak
- 641 Manukau Road, Royal Oak, Auckland 1023
- Tuesday, January 25, 1:35pm - 1:45pm
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
Labtests Collections, Mt Wellington
- 37 Carbine Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060
- Tuesday, January 25, 9:41am - 10am
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
Cook Street Mini Mart, Palmerston North
- 537 Main Street, Palmerston North 4410
- Wednesday, January 26, 6:10pm - 6:15pm
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
12:40pm - As usual, the Ministry of Health will release its daily statement with the latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak at around 1pm.
Stay tuned as we will publish the newest developments live as soon as the statement is available.
12:25pm - Signs emblazoned with Dr Ashley Bloomfield's face have emerged on the streets of Wellington, with the caption: "Wanted - For The Theft Of Rapid Antigen Tests".
It follows several claims by Opposition parties that the Government is commandeering rapid antigen tests (RATs) from the private sector after failing to order enough of the kits, which are in short supply worldwide due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
The Government has repeatedly denied that it is requisitioning the tests from businesses, many of which ordered their own supplies late last year.
In a tweet on Friday morning, the National Party's COVID-19 spokesperson, Chris Bishop, said it wasn't "appropriate" to apportion the blame solely on the Director-General of Health.
"I understand these are all over Wellington this morning. Not appropriate to personalise this to Dr Bloomfield. He is just following orders set by the PM and Hipkins. They are at fault for the RAT confiscation not him," Bishop claimed.
12:10pm - Several new locations of interest have been added as of 12pm.
A number have only been updated by the Ministry of Health and were already identified.
Not all locations of interest have been linked to confirmed or suspected cases of Omicron.
Two more flights have been categorised as high-risk exposure events:
Close contact: Flight NZ5084 Nelson - Auckland
- Tuesday, January 18, 5:50pm - 7:30pm
- Self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health. Record your visit online or call Healthline so our contact tracers can get in touch.
Close contact: Flight NZ8087 Auckland - Nelson
- Sunday, January 23, 8:10pm - 9:30pm
- Self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health. Record your visit online or call Healthline so our contact tracers can get in touch.
SkyCity Casino in Auckland's CBD has also been identified as a location of interest.
SkyCity Casino Auckland CBD
- 72 Victoria Street West, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
- Monday, January 24, 5pm - Tuesday, January 25, 12am
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
There are also four potential exposure events associated with Elixir Espresso at Middlemore Hospital.
New World in Motueka has again been listed as a location of interest.
12pm - New rules regarding mask use at weddings have been criticised by ACT leader David Seymour, who has branded the amended restrictions as "absurd".
As part of the updated response to the simmering Omicron outbreak, the Government has cracked down on the correct use of face masks. From 11:59pm on Thursday, February 3, workers who are mandated to be vaccinated will need to wear a medical grade mask when working in public facing roles, and substitutes such as scarves, bandannas and T-shirts will be outlawed.
Masks will also become mandatory at food and drink venues, close-proximity businesses and events and gatherings. They can be removed to eat, drink or exercise.
This also applies to weddings. When the new rules come into effect, guests will not be able to remove their masks for photographs. The coverings can only be removed to eat or drink.
"We encourage you to wear a face mask whenever you leave your home," says the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
"From February 4, 2022, you must wear a face mask when attending a gathering - you cannot take your face mask off for photographs, but you can take it off to eat and drink. Performers do not need to wear a face mask, but they are strongly encouraged to."
Seymour is now questioning whether the bride and groom can remove their masks to seal their nuptials with a kiss.
"Forget a veil or garter, the latest bridal fashion accessory this summer is a mask – that must be worn for the ceremony and in all photos," he said on Friday.
"Everyone at the wedding must keep their mask on until seated for dinner. That means no kissing the bride, photos with masks on, masks on for the first dance, masked-up celebrants, and masks on when you stand to cut the cake. We're yet to hear from Jacinda whether bride and groom can remove the mask to consummate the marriage.
"It doesn't matter whether the mask is old, borrowed or blue – no bride wants this on her big day."
Seymour also cited an email he claimed to have received from one bride-to-be, who said: "That's what vaccination passports were for, and I've done everything 'right'. It's hard not to see this as ridiculous."
11:45am - A number of locations of interest have been updated from their earlier listings.
11:30am - Rural communities could be left without local medical services for a period of time when Omicron hits.
Staffing is precarious in many small towns - and doctors, nurses or key administration workers will have to stop working if they get the virus.
Hospitals have predicted 30 percent of their staff could be off sick with Omicron at the height of the outbreak.
Rural doctor Jeremy Webber, the clinical director of the Rural GP Network, said it was hard to gauge the impact that would have on very small hospitals, which tended not to have staff to spare.
"What happens when everybody falls over? Because that is a real risk in some of our smaller communities in New Zealand," he said.
It was possible whole departments in small hospitals would have to be shut down if too many staff could not work, he said.
"In Taupō Hospital for example, overnight we've only got one doctor covering the whole hospital, two nurses in the emergency department and so, there's a really limited number in terms of your ability to be able to flex and accommodate if people get crook."
He hoped the lower severity of Omicron and the higher vaccination rates in the population would help avoid critical shortages, but his rural colleagues were waiting for the outbreak "with some trepidation".
It was likely urgent care would always be available but the rest was a little uncertain, he said.
Tairāwhiti District Health Board chief executive Jim Green said Gisborne Hospital could end up taking patients from the rural Te Puia Springs Hospital - but also had to make its own plans. If staffing shortages got serious, it would make cuts to planned care, freeing doctors and nurses work elsewhere.
Royal NZ College of GPs medical director Bryan Betty said GP clinics were also at risk and that could compound the problem.
"Smaller towns are very reliant on general practice for their frontline medical care. If they are to close or to have to downgrade their service as a result of Covid that would put very big pressure on any local rural hospitals," he said.
Some city clinics, especially with a large vulnerable population, could also feel the squeeze, he said.
Even though most people would be caring for themselves at home, there would be a lot of anxiety and many would still want to be in touch with their GP. The DHB and MInistry of Health needed to come up with a plan to help GPs under pressure which would in turn ease demand on hospitals, he said.
11:15am - Contingency planning is underway at Auckland Airport to ensure its ongoing operation amid the growing outbreak of the Omicron variant.
Auckland Airport is preparing to manage the 24/7 operation of its airfield and terminals with a higher-than-normal rate of absenteeism, with the possibility that more than 25 percent of its critical staff will be unable to come to work.
Two years of working around the clock with the risk of COVID-19 has laid the foundation, but the highly infectious nature of new variants means the strategy needs to evolve, Anna Cassels-Brown, the general manager of operations at Auckland Airport, said on Friday.
"Whether it's having the skills to fight an aviation fire or direct a plane on the apron, many in our team are specialists performing unique roles that aren't easily replaced or switched around. We need to have plans in place to mitigate not only the health risk to our staff, but also the operational risk to the aerodrome – so we can keep on providing those vital connections for people and essential goods," said Cassels-Brown.
"Our health and safety practices have served us really well to this point, but if we look overseas, we can see Omicron brings additional challenges particularly in managing shifts and rosters with high rates of staff off sick or needing to care for family members who are unwell."
Auckland Airport currently manages around 90 percent of New Zealand's international passenger arrivals, departures and air cargo, including the delivery of vaccines, PPE and other time critical, high-value goods.
"Whether it's a handful of flights a day or hundreds, there is a minimum level of staffing and service required to safely keep the aerodrome open. Alongside us, there are dozens of other organisations that are essential to keeping the airport running. Often, they're providing services like refuelling or aircraft waste removal – all the invisible operations that are vital in keeping travellers and freight moving in a smooth, timely, and safe way.
"Running the airport is a team effort and the whole system has been working together to ensure the airport keeps operating in an environment where we have Omicron."
Auckland Airport has moved quickly to introduce new measures to assist with workforce continuity, such as:
Splitting the employees into work bubbles organisation-wide
Vaccination requirements for all staff and visitors, including external contractors
Splitting shifts into two or more operational "bubbles within a bubble"
Excluding all visitors from safety critical workspaces including the Airport Emergency Service station, apron control tower, and operations centre
Using high frequency RAT testing alongside nasal pharyngeal and saliva PCR surveillance testing.
"More than two years into this pandemic we are yet to have an Auckland Airport staff member become infected while at work, which is a testament to the character of our people and their meticulous approach to their own and their colleagues' health and safety. However, we know the infectious nature of this new variant has reset the rules."
11am - The Opposition is doubling-down on its claims that the Government is confiscating rapid antigen tests (RATs) from the private sector, accusations that officials have repeatedly denied.
In a statement on Friday, the National Party's COVID-19 spokesperson, Chris Bishop, claimed the supposed requisitioning of the RATs has gone from bad to worse.
"Businesses who have had rapid tests seized by the Government have been told that they will not be able to get access to their orders and no compensation will be paid for the seizure of their property. The Government will decide who gets the tests, and how many they will get," Bishop said.
"Having failed to order enough tests for itself in time, the Government is seizing tests ordered by the private sector, overriding private contracts without compensation, and rationing the kits to a limited number of businesses."
The Government has said businesses with critical workers will be given access to the testing kits to minimise disruptions to the workforce. The 'test to work' scheme will allow critical staffers to use RATs to shorten their isolation period and get back to their role if they are identified as a close contact. Businesses will have to apply to be registered as 'critical', but as yet there is no definition.
RATs are not as accurate as traditional PCR tests, but they are far quicker, producing a result in 15 to 20 minutes, and are readily available in a number of countries for people to use before events or other close-proximity gatherings.
"The New Zealand Government needs to allow every rapid test approved by Australia into New Zealand and let anyone who wants to import tests into the country [do so]. Allow them for sale at pharmacies and supermarkets, and stop nicking property from other people and businesses," Bishop said.
The Government denies it has commandeered any RATs already in the country.
"If you are implying we have taken the supply of others, absolutely not," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
10:40am - Twelve-year-old Valence has been in a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility for 19 days, but she still has a long way to go - despite being the "absolute perfect candidate" for self-isolation, her step-dad said.
Kiwi Jacob Hassall and his wife and step-daughter were transferred to the Holiday Inn MIQ facility in Auckland after returning to New Zealand from Canada.
The couple tested positive for COVID-19 on day two or three of their stay, Hassall said, but their daughter has tested negative six times.
But Valence has been forced to stay in MIQ for an extra 10 days after her parents completed their isolation, as advised under Ministry of Health guidelines.
Hassall left on the 18th day, while his wife Audrey successfully applied to stay with Valence in MIQ.
This means Valence and her mother will be in MIQ for a minimum of 28 days - if Valence tests positive for COVID-19, then their stay could be extended up to 42 days.
They have applied for exemptions twice - the second time the facility doctor applied on their behalf - but both were denied.
"It's ridiculous," Hassall said.
10:25am - The chief executive of ExerciseNZ is calling for consistency from District Health Boards regarding the classing of close contacts at gyms.
ExerciseNZ, a non-profit body representing New Zealand's fitness industry, claims some District Health Boards (DHBs) are failing to accurately identify close contacts in gym settings.
Chief executive Richard Beddie says the inconsistency is a "real concern".
"In one case, we had a gym that was told everyone that visited in a three-hour block was in close contact without any checking with the facility as to where the person went, and who in the facility met the threshold," Beddie said on Friday.
"More than 200 individuals could have been classed as a close contact when in reality, it's possible less than half a dozen who meet the definition."
By casting the net too wide, Beddie says some gym-goers who wouldn't have come into contact with the infected individual are now being asked to isolate. He is calling for more targeted contact tracing to ensure people who were not exposed to the virus are not asked to isolate unnecessarily.
"Gyms have a lot of technology to help with contact tracing - swiping cards for precise entry times and cameras in entrance areas for exit times," Beddie says.
"Often they already have a photo of every member on file so they can keep the privacy of the member protected while still quickly identifying who are close contacts so they can be swiftly notified. This is far more effective than a blanket approach.
"We are just asking the DHBs to... work with the gyms which have the ability to identify any close contacts. We want them to work with us, we can help."
Beddie notes that gyms are enforcing masks, capacity limits, scanning in and prompt cleaning.
10:05am - Another private event in Auckland has been linked to a suspected case of the Omicron variant.
A doughnut shop and a high-end retailer were also visited by a suspected case last Sunday.
Here are the details:
Close contact: Private event, Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Eden Terrace
- 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1021
- Saturday, January 22, 4pm - 11pm
- This exposure is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health.
- Record your visit online or call Healthline so our contact tracers can get in touch.
Krispy Kreme Drive Thru, Manukau
- 3 Ronwood Avenue, Manukau, Auckland 2104
- Sunday, January 23, 2:30pm - 2:45pm
- This exposure is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
Gucci, Auckland Central
- 48 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
- Sunday, January 23, 1:44pm - 2pm
- This exposure is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
9:40am - Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O'Connor said 120 students have been asked to leave the school and get tested after they attended Soundsplash Festival last weekend, an event feared to be a "super-spreader".
Students who had been at the festival were asked to leave the central Auckland campus on Thursday and must produce a negative result before returning to the classroom.
The Ministry of Health's official advice to attendees is to self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days, but O'Connor said the school's management also want negative results as a precautionary measure. The festival was not identified as a location of interest until 10:30am on Thursday - more than 12 hours after reports of new cases associated with the event began to emerge.
He noted that he'd prefer to have 120 students absent for two days while awaiting their results as opposed to significant numbers of students possibly off sick for weeks.
"We didn't have any advice so we acted in a manner that was in the best interest of our community and that was to produce a negative test before returning to campus," O'Connor told Newshub.
"It's about being socially responsible because they are going to be coming back into a school community of 2600 and 250 staff. I would have preferred it to be named as a location of interest as early as possible and to be later removed if that [wasn't] the case."
O'Connor said the Ministry of Health has yet to make contact with the affected school.
As of Thursday night, it's understood 11 attendees have tested positive for the virus, with two carrying the highly infectious Omicron variant. Other reports on social media suggest that number has since risen.
Sixty-eight people who went to the festival have been identified as close contacts so far.
9:20am - Due to an increase in cases of the Omicron variant, Air New Zealand is offering customers travelling domestically through to the end of February the ability to opt into credit.
Customers who had existing bookings as of 11:59pm on January 23, 2022 that are scheduled to depart before 11:59pm on February 28 will have the option to opt into credit if they are no longer able to travel, or amend the date of their flight with change fees waived.
Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer, Leanne Geraghty, says the airline is expecting to see disruptions as Omicron continues to spread.
"Based on what we've seen happen to other airlines around the world, and the modelling we've seen here for New Zealand, we're anticipating Omicron will have a considerable impact on our customers and employees over the next few weeks," Geraghty said on Friday.
"Providing the option for credits allows customers who are feeling unwell or are isolating, to change their booking to travel on an alternative date. They can do this using the Air New Zealand mobile app or by contacting their original booking agent.
"Doing what we can to protect our people and customers is our top priority and this helps to do just that, while reducing the spread of COVID-19. There may be thousands of our customers dealing with Omicron in the coming weeks, and we want them to know they don't need to worry about their flights.
"At this stage, we have turned the credit option back on for flights booked before 11:59pm on January 23, 2022 and scheduled to depart up until February 28, 2022. As we get closer to that date, we'll reassess what's happening with Omicron and decide whether this timeframe needs to be extended."
Customers who changed their flights between January 24 and 27 and have paid a change fee are encouraged to call the Air New Zealand contact centre on 0800 737 000 to receive a refund for the fee. The rest of the fare will be placed into credit.
9:05am - Four new locations of interest have been linked to a suspected case of the Omicron variant in Auckland, including Auckland Airport's Domestic Terminal.
None are currently categorised as high-risk exposure events.
Sunglass Style, Auckland Central
174 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Sunday, January 23, 1:30pm - 1:40pm
This exposure is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
Auckland Airport Domestic Terminal, Māngere
Ray Emery Drive, Māngere, Auckland 2022
Monday, January 24, 3pm - 4pm
This exposure is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
Unichem Bairds Pharmacy, Ōtara
2/3 Watford Street, Ōtara, Auckland 2023
Monday, January 24, 9:45pm - 11pm
This exposure is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
Ferry Road Pharmacy, Waltham
244 Ferry Road, Waltham, Christchurch 8011
Monday, January 24, 3:30pm - 4pm
Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
ProHealth Pharmacy Papatoetoe
230 Great South Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland 2025
Monday, January 24, 11:29am - 11:53am
This exposure is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
Ferry Road Pharmacy, Waltham
244 Ferry Road, Waltham, Christchurch 8011
Thursday, January 27, 8:45am - 8:55am
Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
9am - As Omicron spreads through the community, getting the right answer from a rapid antigen test (RAT) is not as straightforward as reading one or two lines off the kit.
RATs are a convenient diagnostic tool to detect viral fragments in nasal secretions or saliva. They are designed to be self-administered and give an answer in minutes. Detecting infection early is critical to preventing further spread and allowing persons at risk of severe disease to get timely access to close monitoring and new life-saving therapies.
With RATs set to be rolled out in New Zealand over the course of the outbreak, it's important we understand how to best use this diagnostic tool to reduce transmission and unnecessary disruptions to our lives and economy.
How accurate is your RAT? Three scenarios show it's about more than looking for lines.
8:35am - The heart has played a central role in COVID-19 since the beginning, with cardiovascular conditions among the highest risk factors for hospitalisation. A significant number of patients hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infections have signs of heart damage, and many recover from infection with lasting cardiovascular injury.
It’s not surprising that debates over COVID-19 vaccines frequently centre around issues involving cardiovascular health. The high-profile collapse of Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen in June initiated a myth about the link between sudden cardiac death and vaccination among athletes that persists several months later.
Perhaps the most common point of conflict concerning COVID-19 vaccines is the risk of myocarditis following immunisation, particularly among young people.
So what do the numbers tell us about COVID-19, vaccines and myocarditis?
8:20am - Let's take a look at what's happening around the world.
After an uncomfortable but relatively brief return to coronavirus restrictions triggered by the Omicron variant, England is going back to 'Plan A' - learning to live with a disease that is probably here to stay.
The bet is that booster jabs, antiviral pills and Omicron's lower severity will enable the government to manage outbreaks of a virus that cannot be shut out - and other countries equally keen to unshackle business and personal freedom will be watching.
Work-from-home guidance ended last week and measures such as mask mandates and vaccine passes, also introduced in England last month, lapsed on Thursday - returning the rules to where they were last July.
The UK Health Security Agency is preparing to switch its focus to supporting vulnerable individuals rather than imposing national rules, according to a draft policy seen by Reuters.
Meanwhile, Sweden has decided against recommending COVID-19 vaccines for kids aged five to 11, the Health Agency said on Thursday, arguing that the benefits did not outweigh the risks.
"With the knowledge we have today, with a low risk for serious disease for kids, we don't see any clear benefit with vaccinating them," Health Agency official Britta Bjorkholm told a news conference.
She added that the decision could be revisited if the research changed or if a new variant altered the course of the pandemic. Children in high-risk groups can already get the vaccine.
Sweden registered more than 40,000 new cases on January 26, one of the highest daily numbers during the pandemic, despite limited testing. While the fourth wave has seen daily infection records shattered, the healthcare is not under the same strain as during previous waves.
7:50am - The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ (ARFNZ) is seeing soaring demand for its Asthma and COPD Fundamentals eLearning course for health professionals, with registrations for the course rising by more than 100 percent between 2020 and 2021.
The course provides up-to-date education for all registered health professionals including nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and GPs. Updated in February 2021, the course incorporates the latest research with specific information for the New Zealand context, such as recently funded medications and treating Māori and Pacific peoples.
"There's a huge demand for online education among health professionals, especially in this time of COVID-19," Joanna Turner, ARFNZ's research and education Manager, said on Friday.
"An up-to-date knowledge of respiratory health issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma [is] more important than ever in the time of the pandemic... We noticed a surge in registrations during the last lockdown, for example."
There are currently 700,000 Kiwis living with respiratory diseases, and with Omicron now circulating in the community, there's never been a more important time for health professionals to get up to speed on common, chronic respiratory conditions, ARFNZ chief executive Letitia Harding noted.
7:35am - A new case of COVID-19 has been detected in Palmerston North.
The person is not a known contact of the current active cases in the region. The variant is being determined.
"This evening a member of the community tested positive for COVID-19. Public health investigations are currently underway and we will update you on this as soon as we have information to share," Palmerston North Hospital said in a statement.
"This takes our total number of confirmed cases in the MidCentral rohe to four.
"This positive case is not a known contact of our current active COVID-19 case(s) and the variant has not yet been confirmed. Whole genome sequencing is underway to determine the variant of this case and work to identify the chain of transmission. We will provide another update on this as soon as we have more information."
Locations of interest associated with this case will be announced when they are identified and shared to the Ministry of Health's list of potential exposure events.
"If you have been at any of the locations of interest or have symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, please get tested."
Drive-through testing is available at 575 Main Street, Palmerston North on Friday from 8:30am - 4pm.
Tests may also be available at select general practices for people with symptoms. For more information about where to get tested, visit Healthpoint or call the COVID-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
Walk-in vaccinations for first and second doses, booster shots and paediatric doses are available on Friday across the area. For MidCentral DHB and iwi partnership walk-in clinics, click here.
Alongside these clinics, you are able to receive your COVID-19 vaccine from select pharmacies and other healthcare providers. For a complete list of clinics, visit Healthpoint.
7:20am - There are reports on social media of more students testing positive for COVID-19 on Auckland's North Shore after attending the feared "super-spreader" Soundsplash Festival last weekend.
A woman has claimed on Facebook that 12 to 14 young people have since tested positive for the virus in Devonport.
These cases have not yet been confirmed by health authorities.
As of Thursday night, Newshub understands 11 friends who attended the festival have tested positive for COVID-19 - with two carrying the Omicron variant.
7:15am - Newshub understands a group of 11 friends have now all tested positive since attending Soundsplash Festival in Hamilton over the weekend - two of them have been told they have the Omicron variant.
It's understood 8500 people, aged 16 and over, attended the three-day event - all in close proximity and most without masks.
On Wednesday night, festival organisers said they had to receive official advice or communication from the Ministry of Health, prompting some Auckland schools to take matters into their own hands on Thursday.
Students at Glendowie College in east Auckland who attended the festival were warned to stay away from the premises on Thursday.
"All students who attended Soundsplash should NOT attend school tomorrow (Thursday 27th) until they have received health advice that it is safe to do so," the school said in a notice on social media.
Meanwhile, several pupils at Auckland Grammar School were sent home and advised to get tested on Thursday after teachers learned they had attended the event.
In a statement, ACT Party leader David Seymour criticised the Ministry of Health for leaving parents, teachers and organisers in the dark with a "complete lack of information". The festival was only formally identified as a location of interest at 10:30am on Thursday, despite reports of a "number of cases" associated with the event emerging more than 12 hours earlier.
"The Ministry of Health has let down the attendees of Soundsplash with a complete lack of information, it's just as well parents and schools have taken charge," Seymour said.
"It was up to concerned parents to reach out to politicians and the media when cases were identified. Now it's been left up to Auckland Grammar to send at risk students home to isolate after receiving no guidance from the Ministries of Health or Education.
"I commend these parents and the principal for taking these sensible steps – it's not good enough the Ministry wasn't faster with information or advice."
7:05am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak for Friday, January 28.
