Festival-goers who got tested after attending a drum and bass event in Mount Maunganui earlier in January should be receiving their results.
On Saturday evening, the Ministry of Health listed the event as a close contact location of interest, asking for attendees to self-isolate and get tested. There were queues at testing stations on Sunday as people followed the guidelines.
However, on Sunday afternoon, the ministry changed the advice, saying there was no need to isolate or get tested. Instead, attendees were told to self-monitor for symptoms.
The risk was downgraded as no new cases have yet been linked to the festival and 11 close contacts have tested negative. The event was also held in accordance with the COVID rules for outdoor gatherings.
What you need to know:
- There were 27 new community cases announced on Monday and 33 at the border.
- Thirty-five people are in hospital, including one in ICU or HDU.
- One new case has been found in Northland, but will be included in Tuesday's numbers.
- There are no new cases linked to the drum and bass festival earlier in January.
- The Wellington case attended the Britomart Block Party on New Year's Eve in Auckland.
- More than half a million doses of the paediatric Pfizer vaccine have arrived in New Zealand for children aged 5 to 11 years old.
- Click here for locations of interest.
These live updates have finished.
4:15pm - A scientist in Cyprus is defending the existence of a new strain of COVID-19 he found that is a combination of Delta and Omicron.
Leondios Kostrikis, professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus, said last week he found 25 cases of what he's labelled the 'Deltacron' strain. The co-infection has this name because of its Omicron-like genetic signatures in the Delta genomes, he says.
His data showed the likelihood of Deltacron infection is higher among patients who have been hospitalised with the virus than those who aren't.
But other scientists don't believe Kostrikis has found a new strain. Dr Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College London, says Deltacron is "quite clearly [laboratory] contamination" when sequencing took place and it is "likely not real".
3:45pm - The Australian state of Queensland has recorded 9581 new COVID-19 cases.
There are 419 people in hospital, 21 of which are in ICU.
3:15pm - There are five DHBs yet to reach the 90 percent fully vaccinated goal. They are:
- Northland: 85 percent of eligible population fully vaccinated, 8435 people remaining
- Lakes: 88 percent fully vaccinated, 1511 people remaining
- Tairawhiti: 87 percent fully vaccinated, 1296 people remaining
- Whanganui: 88 percent fully vaccinated, 1389 people remaining
- West Coast: 88 percent fully vaccinated, 431 people remaining.
Northland is still yet to hit 90 percent first doses. It is at 89 percent of eligible people having received their first dose, with 2012 people remaining to hit this goal.
2:30pm - In Australia, the state of Victoria has recorded 34,808 new cases and two deaths.
There are 818 people in hospital, 118 of which are in ICU and 28 on ventilators.
2:10pm - National's COVID-19 response spokesperson Chris Bishop says it's "ridiculous" that the Book My Vaccine website isn't allowing people to book in for booster shots four months after their second dose, and still won't let parents book their children's vaccines.
"I've been contacted by a number of people over the last few days keen to book their booster in, but the Book My Vaccine website won't take booster bookings after four months for another week, on January 17," he says.
"Why can't the website be updated to allow people to book in for their booster right now? With Omicron on our doorstep, the Government should be pulling out all stops to get boosters into arms right now.
"In fact the Book My Vaccine website still says that boosters are available six months after a person's second dose, which is inaccurate."
Bishop says he's also had parents contacting him about how they can't book their children's vaccines right now.
"Chris Hipkins has trumpeted that paediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine have arrived in New Zealand, but people can't even book them in for their children for a week," he says.
"New Zealand has already been slow to roll out vaccines for children, with many countries well ahead of us. The Government seems asleep at the wheel while Omicron is on our doorstep right now.
"The Government might have logged off for summer but COVID doesn't care about Christmas and the New Year period. It's time the Government started showing some urgency on boosters and kids' vaccinations."
1:40pm - Kiwi fashion blogger and socialite Jaime Ridge is calling out New Zealand's managed isolation and quarantine system (MIQ), saying it's being run by a "bunch of muppets" in a social media post aimed at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
On Saturday Ridge voiced her frustration at the MIQ system to her 51,000 followers on her Instagram account, according to the NZ Herald.
"How the hell do you get a spot in MIQ?" Ridge wrote in an Instagram story.
1:30pm - Here's the Ministry of Health's regional update:
Today’s cases
We are reporting new community cases in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes and Wellington. We ae also reporting two cases in Hawke’s Bay, as outlined below. They tested positive in Waikato but have Hawke’s Bay addresses. We are also reporting one case in Northland today which will officially be added to tomorrow’s numbers.
Auckland metro vaccination update
*Today we are reporting 96% first dose and 94% second dose in Auckland metro’s figures. These percentages are lower than those we reported in yesterday’s update. Yesterday’s percentages reflected the current situation in the Auckland DHB area only. Today’s numbers reflect the combined percentage for Auckland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau DHBs.
Regional updates
We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if you’re vaccinated. Please stay at home until you return a negative test result. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are regularly updated and to follow the advice provided.
Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website.
Please also continue to check for any updated Locations of Interest and appropriate health advice, updated regularly on the Ministry’s website.
Northland
There is one new case to announce in Northland today – in the Hokianga area.
This case was reported after the daily cut-off and will be included in tomorrow’s figures.
This case is linked to a known case in the Hokianga and was already in isolation as a close contact when they tested positive. Further investigations are underway to confirm any potential exposures from this case
Auckland
There are 16 cases to report in Auckland today.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 944 people in the region to isolate at home, including 204 cases.
Waikato
There are five new cases in the Waikato today, three are unlinked.
Two are in Hamilton, one in Ngāruawāhia, one in Whitianga, one in Coromandel town.
Pop-up testing sites are operating in Whangamatā and testing is available at general practices in Whangamatā, Whitianga and Te Awamutu by appointment. For details of all dedicated testing sites including other general practices, please visit Healthpoint, the DHB webpage or DHB Facebook page.
In the Waikato, Public Health, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 36 cases to isolate at home.
Bay of Plenty
There are two cases to report in the Western Bay of Plenty today.
One of today’s case is a household previously reported cases, and one is still being investigated for potential links.
Both cases are isolating at home.
At this stage, no further positive COVID-19 test results have been received associated with the drum and bass festival in Tauranga’s Wharepai Domain on 3 January which had been attended by a person with COVID-19.
All those who attended the festival should monitor for symptoms and get tested if any symptoms develop, no matter how mild.
No further cases have been linked to the festival and the initial test results of the 11 close contacts of the Wellington case are all negative.
Lakes
There is one case to report in Rotorua today.
The case is still being investigated for links to previously reported cases.
**Hawke’s Bay
There are two Hawke’s Bay residents who have tested positive while in Waikato.
Both cases are previously linked to reported cases in Waikato.
Both cases are currently isolating in Te Kūiti. There are no known exposure events associated with these cases in Hawke’s Bay.
Wellington
There is one new case to report in Wellington.
The case attended the Britomart Block Party in Auckland on New Year’s Eve.
Anyone who attended this event between 11.15pm on 31 December and 2.30am on 1 January are advised to immediately get tested then self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If you have symptoms get tested, stay home until you receive a negative test result.
The case is in isolation and, at this stage, no associated locations of interest have been identified in the Wellington region. Locations of interest for other Wellington cases are published on the Ministry website and we encourage people to check these and follow the instructions for symptoms and testing.
1:25pm - From the Ministry of Health: Vaccination remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron. We continue to ask everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, including people who are now eligible for a booster dose.
In the past 24 hours, 10,703 booster doses (previous day: 21,821 doses) were given.
A total of 500,821 booster doses have now been given since they became available in late November 2021, representing more than 35% of those who are currently eligible.
Boosters are strongly recommended for anyone over 18 who has had their second dose at least 4 months ago.
From 17 January 2022, anyone who has had their second dose more than 4 months ago can book a booster at BookMyVaccine.nz. Many clinics are accepting walk-ins for boosters right now. You can also book currently by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline team on 0800 28 29 26.
1:20pm - There are 27 new community cases and 33 cases identified at the border. The community cases are found in Auckland (16), Waikato (5), Bay of Plenty (2), Lakes (1), Hawke's Bay (2) and Wellington (1).
COVID-19 vaccine update
Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,980,957 first doses (95%); 3,874,700 second doses (92%); 31,931 third primary doses; 500,821 booster doses
Vaccines administered yesterday: 459 first doses; 1,386 second doses; 123 third primary doses and 10,703 booster doses.
Māori (percentage of eligible people): 502,246 first doses (88%); 467,034 second doses (82%)
Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 270,331 first doses (94%); 260,277 second doses (91%)
Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people)
- Northland DHB: First doses (89%); second doses (85%)
- *Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
- Waikato DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (90%)
- Lakes DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (88%)
- Taranaki DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (87%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (91%)
- Canterbury DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%)
- Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
Hospitalisations
- Cases in hospital: 35; Northland 1; North Shore: 6; Auckland: 12; Middlemore: 13, Tauranga: 3.
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (9 cases / 30%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (8 cases / 27%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (12 cases / 40%); 1 unknown (3%).
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 55
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 1 (Middlemore).
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 30
- Number of new community cases: 27
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 33
- Location of new community cases over past two days: Auckland (16), *Waikato (5), Bay of Plenty (2), Lakes (1), **Hawke’s Bay (2), Wellington (1)
- Number of community cases (total): 11,169 (in current community outbreak)
- Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8,426
- Number of active cases (total): 1,073 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 14,358
Contacts
- Number of active contacts being managed (total): 6,196
- Percentage who have received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 66%
- Percentage who have returned at least one result: 69%
Tests
- Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 10,519
- Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 12,345
- Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 5,587
Wastewater
There were no unexpected wastewater detections.
NZ COVID Tracer
- Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 1,957,979
- Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 37,784
My Vaccine Pass
- My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,710,766
- My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 8,041
1:10pm - There is a new 'close contact' location of interest - the Khoi Nails Spa Orewa between 1:26pm and 2:30pm on Wednesday, January 5.
"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."
1pm - We are now waiting on the 1pm Ministry of Health update.
12:50pm - New South Wales has recorded 20,293 cases of COVID-19. There are 2030 people in hospital in the Australian state, while 18 people have died.
12:40pm - Three new locations of interest have been announced:
- The Burger Foundry, Papamoa Beach - Tuesday, January 4 between 10:52am and 1pm
- The Bottle-O Hillsdene, Tauranga - Sunday, January 2 between 4:32pm and 5:45pm
- Subway Taupo Central - Sunday, January 2 between 12:35pm and 12:50pm
12:25pm - The Medical Council has confirmed Jonie Girouard, the Canterbury GP Newshub filmed giving out bogus COVID-19 vaccine exemptions, can no longer practise in New Zealand.
"Council can confirm that Jonie Girouard is no longer listed as registered and able to practise in New Zealand," Medical Council chair Curtis Walker said.
12:10pm - The Ministry of Health says half a million booster vaccines have been administered across the country. Anyone aged 18 or older can have a booster shot four months after having their second vaccine. They are currently available at some walk-in sites and from January 17 can be booked on the BookMyVaccine website.
12pm - We are expecting a statement from the Ministry of Health at 1pm with the latest COVID-19 update. There is no press conference planned for Monday.
11:40am - There are number of new locations of interest, including in Queenstown:
- Shotover Jet Queenstown - Sunday, January 2 between 9am and 12pm
- North Beach Mount Maunganui - Wednesday, January 5 between 3:41pm - 3:45pm
- Robert Harris Cafe Taupo - Thursday, January 6 between 10:59am - 12pm
- Oaks Club Suites Queenstown - Thursday, December 30 at 9:30pm to Sunday, January 2 at 8:30am
- SkyCity Casino Queenstown - Saturday, January 1 between 5:50pm and 7:30pm
10:30am - COVID-19 experts are nervously observing an ever-increasing number of cases at the border as the threat of an Omicron outbreak looms.
The highly transmissible variant has rapidly spread around the globe and New Zealand has dodged a community outbreak so far.
But with the escalating number of overseas returnees testing positive, there are fears a new wave of the virus could be out in the community within weeks.
10:20am - Here is the statement from the Ministry of Health on Sunday about the risk downgrade:
"A reassessment of the risk posed by the drum and bass festival in Tauranga’s Wharepai Domain on 3 January has today been downgraded to asking all those who attended the festival to monitor for symptoms and to get tested if any symptoms develop, no matter how mild.
"Any festival attendee, without any symptoms, no longer needs to get tested and isolate at home until they receive a negative result.
"The reassessment follows a review of the risk, particularly given the festival was held in accordance with the rules for outdoor events under the COVID Protection Framework including the use of vaccine passes for entry; the fact that no other cases have since been linked to the festival and the initial test results of the 11 close contacts of the Wellington case are all negative.
"The Ministry appreciates and thanks anyone attending the festival who has already been tested.
"Festival attendees who have received an orange COVID-19 tracer app notification or who’ve been given advice by public health should continue to follow the advice provided.
10:15am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's updates for Monday.
Attendees of a drum and bass festival in Mount Maunganui on January 3 who were tested after the event became a location of interest are likely to be receiving their test results.
The festival was listed as a close contact location of interest on Saturday evening, with attendees advised to get tested and isolate until a negative result. This led many to queue up for tests on Sunday, with some posting their wait on social media.
However, on Sunday afternoon, the risk was downgraded, with attendees told they no longer needed to be tested if they didn't have symptoms or isolate.
