There could be "tens of thousands" of cases of the Omicron variant each day "within weeks", according to COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins.
Meanwhile, a leading data modeller says the highly transmissible variant could infect half of the population within just a few months.
New Zealanders are waking up to the red setting of the 'traffic light' system after a number of people tested positive for the Omicron variant over the weekend.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed the variant is now circulating in Auckland and likely elsewhere in New Zealand, announcing that the nation will shift into red, the most restrictive setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework, from 11:59pm.
On Monday, the Ministry of Health confirmed eight additional people have tested positive for the variant, with the January Omicron Cluster now sitting at 19 infections.
What you need to know
- As of Monday, eight new cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Auckland (five), Palmerston North (one) and Nelson-Tasman (two, one reported on Sunday) - to date, 19 people have now tested positive for the variant in the community
- The variant is suspected to be circulating in both the North Island and South Island, prompting the Government to urgently shift the nation into the red setting of the 'traffic light' system at 11:59pm on Sunday
- Nine people in the Nelson-Tasman region - plus an additional household contact - were confirmed as Omicron cases on Sunday after the family, who are based in Motueka, travelled to Auckland to attend events over the weekend of Jan 15-16
- An Air New Zealand flight attendant has also tested positive for the variant and had worked on domestic flights while infectious.
- No index case has been identified at this stage - the source of Omicron's emergence in the community remains a mystery
- On Wednesday, the Government will share details of a new three-stage plan to manage the spread of the variant
- Omicron could infect half of all New Zealanders within a few months, says data modeller Michael Plank
- More Air New Zealand staff are showing Omicron symptoms, the airline's CEO Greg Foran says.
These live updates have finished.
8:50pm - Businesses essential to the supply chain are warning that a compulsory 14-day stand down for positive cases could see some not able to trade at all.
Others are sending workers home or implementing rapid antigen testing to try and slow down the Omicron spread.
"We don't want to experience what other countries have experienced where literally so many people are taken out that business literally comes to a grinding halt," says Ports of Auckland chief operating officer Mike Lightfoot.
Air New Zealand has one positive case and is expecting more. It's concerned about the 14-day stand down and wants that to change. And they have expert support.
"When Omicron becomes widespread in New Zealand we will need to look at shortening that isolation period," says epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker.
Read and watch the full story from Newshub's Simon Shepherd here.
8:25pm - The nationwide move to traffic light setting red means production crews are facing weeks, potentially months, without work.
The entertainment industry was only just starting to bounce back, and those behind the scenes are desperate for targeted support.
"It wipes us out basically. Most of us, this is our career, this is what we do, which is unlike anything else, so once the events go down, we go down with it," says RB Productions manager Robbie Barclay.
He spent Monday packing down after one of the lucky last events. After Saturday's L.A.B. concert at Western Springs, the gear and the crews face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"It's like a wildfire through the whole industry, we just had calls straight away. Cancellations, postponements, yep, it's sunk in," he says.
Saturday was Barclay's first big outdoor gig in 23 months since the ill-fated Elton John tour.
Cancelled events have left roadies, soundies, and production companies all over the country without work.
Read and watch the full story from Newshub's Giles Dexter here.
8pm - There are five DHBs yet to reach the 90 percent double vaccinated target. These are:
- Northland: 86 percent of eligible population fully vaccinated, 6249 people remaining to hit target
- Lakes: 90 percent fully vaccinated, 220 people remaining (the Ministry of Health rounds up percentages to the nearest whole number)
- Tairāwhiti: 89 percent fully vaccinated, 564 people remaining
- Whanganui: 89 percent fully vaccinated, 648 people remaining
- West Coast: 90 percent fully vaccinated, 66 people remaining.
Northland is still yet to hit 90 percent first doses. It has given 89 percent of its eligible residents first doses, with 1027 people remaining to hit this goal.
Click here for more details on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
7:20pm - Māori health providers have reduced the vaccination gap to 10 percent behind the general population, but experts say this is no cause for celebration.
The sluggish start to the vaccine drive and staff fatigue on the frontline are now impacting the booster rollout for Māori. There are calls to reduce the gap between second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine now Omicron is in the community.
Since November, 105,000 Māori have been vaccinated, but the workload is taking its toll on vaccination staff.
"I think I can say on behalf of all of us, we are feeling tired but we're ready," says Dr Matire Harwood.
Māori COVID-19 data analyst Dr Rawiri Taonui says Māori are still playing catch-up and wants to see the wait times between doses shortened.
"I've noticed in some DHBs since Christmas, an increase in Māori vaccinations has really slowed in some places and the numbers are so low I'm beginning to think it's got more to do with tiredness than resistance."
Read and watch the full story from Newshub's Māori affairs correspondent Te Rina Kowhai here.
6:40pm - New Zealand does not have enough nurses or ICU beds, healthcare figures warn, as their workforce braces for Omicron.
The College of Critical Care Nurses told Morning Report the country was currently short of at least 90 ICU beds if there was a major Omicron outbreak.
Chairwoman Tania Mitchell said intensive care capacity had been a sticking point for other countries during the outbreak, and New Zealand was under-prepared.
"We know compared to other areas in the OECD that even for business as usual we have a low number of intensive care beds per head, compared to other countries, and that puts us in the back foot going into this."
She said more beds were always welcome, and there was $644 million increase in funding to hospitals and ICUs from the government to cope with COVID-19, that was announced in December.
But there was real concern it would not be enough, and there were not enough intensive care nurses.
6:10pm - There are two locations of interest. They are:
- Shivani Restaurant Papatoetoe, January 16 from 12pm to 1pm
- Private event Pukekohe Indian Hall, January 16 from 6:45pm to 10:45pm.
6pm - It's time for Newshub Live at 6pm for the latest on the COVID-19 outbreak. Click here to watch online or tune in on Three.
5:30pm - There are five new locations of interest. They are:
- Nelson Airport Terminal Building, January 16 from 3:35pm to 4pm
- Countdown Central Mall, Rotorua, January 16 from 6pm to 6:30pm
- Rotorua Kiwibank, January 17 from 3pm to 3:30pm
- Chartwell Bakery Manukau, January 20 from 9:55am to 10am
- Thirsty Liquor Papakura, January 20 from 6pm to 6:15pm.
5pm - The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has shot down another anti-vaxx rumour claiming a child collapsed because of the COVID vaccine.
A photo was posted on social media on January 17 showing a young person lying on the pavement outside a vaccination clinic.
"Another kid down in Rangiora today," the caption stated.
However the CDHB says the rumour is false.
"The incident you refer to is completely unrelated to the COVID-19 vaccine. To protect the privacy of the individual, we will not be providing further comment," a Canterbury DHB spokesperson told Newshub.
The photo shared on social media is one of a number of false claims made by anti-vaxxers in the Canterbury region recently.
4:30pm - A new drive-through vaccination centre will open in west Auckland on Tuesday to accommodate the increased demand for booster doses.
The new centre will be located at the carpark on the corner of Gunton Drive and Tawhia Drive in Westgate. It will be open from 11am to 3:30pm tomorrow, and 8:30am to 3:30pm, seven days a week from Wednesday, the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre (NRHCC) says.
The Westgate Vaccination Centre run by The Fono on Westgate Drive will temporarily close later today, with staff to be shifted to run the new site with much larger capacity.
There has been a surge in people in Auckland seeking to get their boosters today, with close to 11,000 delivered by 12:30pm, NRHCC says.
NRHCC clinical director Anthony Jordan says it's fantastic to announce another drive-through option for whānau to get safely vaccinated in their bubbles in Tāmaki Makaurau.
"This site, which is expected to be open for at least the next six weeks, has the capacity to vaccinate around 2500 people a day," he says.
"With Omicron in the community, now is the time for anyone aged 18 and over who had their second dose at least four months ago to walk in or drive up to our vaccination centres to get their booster dose.
"A booster helps to maintain high levels of protection against getting very sick and ending up in hospital, and also reduces the chance of you getting COVID-19 and passing it on to others."
People can also drive up to other drive-through vaccination centres, including the Airport Park and Ride, Eventfinda Stadium, and Papakura Marae. Please visit here for operating hours and locations.
"We have plenty of capacity and vaccine supply across the city to accommodate boosters as well as our tamariki aged 5 to 11 in the lead-up to school starting next month."
Dr Jordan says some parents and caregivers may prefer to take their children to their local GP or pharmacy.
"Please call ahead to check if your GP or pharmacy is offering paediatric vaccinations - there are currently over 230 GPs and dozens of pharmacies that can immunise tamariki across the city."
People can walk in at all community vaccination centres and also book in with GPs and pharmacies. Individual bookings will be available at BookMyVaccine.nz, and bookings for two or more members of the whānau can be made by calling 0800 28 29 26.
4:05pm - There are three new locations of interest. They are:
- Auckland Rose Park Hotel Parnell, 12am on January 14 to 12:30pm on January 15
- Auckland Rose Park Hotel Parnell, 4:30pm on January 15 to 10am on January 16
- Event Cinemas, Westfield Albany, January 21 from 2:30pm to 5:10pm.
3:40pm - Over in Australia, New South Wales has recorded 15,091 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. There are 24 additional deaths too.
A total of 2816 people are currently in hospital, including 196 people in intensive care, 69 of whom require ventilation.
In the state of Victoria, there are 11,695 new cases and 17 deaths.
There are 998 people in hospital, 119 of whom are in ICU and 47 on ventilators.
And in Queensland, 10,212 new cases have been recorded. There are 13 new deaths.
A total of 87 people are in hospital, 50 of whom are in ICU.
3:10pm - There are three new locations of interest. They are:
- Cotton On Rotorua Central, January 12 from 3pm to 3:15pm
- Cotton On Rotorua Central, January 13 from 10:30am to 10:45am
- Kmart Whangārei, January 13 from 4:47pm to 5:30pm.
2:45pm - With Omicron now in the community, it's important Kiwis keep an eye out for symptoms of the variant - some of which can be tell-tale signs of an infection.
As the highly transmissible Omicron variant surges around the world, the symptoms associated with the strain are becoming more clear to researchers and health professionals.
Symptoms are similar to those of other variants, including a sore throat, cough, runny nose and fever.
But research conducted in areas where Omicron is prolific, such as the UK, shows symptoms can vary depending on the variant.
Data collected from the UK app Zoe found a fever and cough are less prevalent in cases of Omicron - instead, common symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, headaches and fatigue.
This research is backed by anecdotal evidence from doctors in the US. Washington emergency room doctor Gregg Miller told Fortune that patients with Omicron "are less likely to lose a sense of smell" than those infected with the Delta variant.
2:30pm - Speaking to Newshub on Monday, leading epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker said the country is "nowhere" near ready to handle a significant outbreak of the Omicron variant.
He backed earlier projections by COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, who told Newstalk ZB that "tens of thousands" of cases could possibly be reported each day within a matter of weeks.
Prof Baker noted there could also be a spike in the number of deaths over the coming months.
"No, nowhere is ever ready because there are degrees of readiness, so we will see tens of thousands of cases and unfortunately, several-hundred deaths in the next three or four months. It's the new, new for us," Baker told Newshub.
He also echoed an earlier prediction by data modeller Michael Plank, who said the variant could infect half of the population in just a handful of months.
"All of us will either get Omicron or know someone that had got it," he said.
"We've been very removed from this threat to date, which has been a good thing because now we have a lot more tools to manage it, so that's helpful. It's still going to be tough and a lot of us are going to get a very unpleasant illness, so we just have to be prepared for that.
"Fortunately if you're vaccinated and you don't have any underlying illnesses, you will get through it, but the people that will fill up the hospitals and intensive care units will be the unvaccinated."
Baker is also a proponent of shortening the intervals between vaccine doses to get more people vaccinated more quickly. Currently, people over the age of 18 can only get their third dose - or booster shot - four months after their second jab. Children also must wait at least eight weeks before receiving their second paediatric dose.
"Given that Omicron will be circulating quite rapidly, I think we need to review the time intervals for vaccination," he said.
"I think we need to shift the timing for the booster down to three months instead of four months to make more New Zealanders eligible, because the time for the booster is now - and it's the same for the children. We can bring down the interval to three weeks, which is in the manufacturer's recommendation."
2:15pm - Hawke's Bay District Health Board is urging people to keep up-to-date with the latest locations of interest, regardless of whether there are new cases in the region or not.
"People need to be vigilant and check both local locations as well as places where they've been holidaying over the last couple of weeks," Medical Officer of Health Dr Rachel Eyre said in a statement on Monday.
Local health authorities are currently managing 13 active cases and their close contacts in the Hawke's Bay region.
Although the current cases are either confirmed as carrying the Delta variant or linked to known cases of the strain, Dr Eyre said all future cases unlinked to known infections will be treated as the Omicron variant.
"As a precaution, Hawke's Bay DHB's public health officials will treat all future cases not linked to the known clusters as the Omicron variant. It's only a matter of time before Omicron is circulating in our community - if not already - so we need to be fully prepared," she said.
Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms should be getting tested. Testing is available via drive-in centres or booked appointments:
Today (Monday)
CHB Health Centre drive-through, 9am - 4pm
Tuesday, January 25:
Totara Health drive-through, 10am - 1pm
Splash planet Hastings drive-through, 10am -1pm
CHB Health Centre drive-through, 9am - 4pm.
To book a test:
Hastings Health Centre, call 06 281 2644 between 8:30am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday to book an appointment
The Doctors Napier, call 0800 837 819 between 9am - 5pm daily to book an appointment
Takapau Health Centre, call 06 855 8376 between 11:30am -12pm, Monday - Wednesday and Friday to book an appointment
Queen Street Practice Wairoa, for booked appointments call 06 838 8333 daily.
2:05pm - The latest locations of interest are in, two of which are linked to cases of the Omicron variant:
Rainbows End, Manukau, Auckland - Sun, Jan 16, 1pm - 3:30pm: This exposure is linked to an 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.
Sand Dunz Cafe, Muriwai, Waimauku - Tues, Jan 18, 3pm - 3:30pm: This exposure is linked to an 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.
TWS Paradise Valley Speedway, Rotorua - Fri, Jan 21, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: 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.
1:45pm - Here's a recap of today's Omicron updates:
- There are eight new cases of the variant in the community - two in Nelson-Tasman, five in Auckland and one in Palmerston North
- To date, 19 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the community and are associated with the January Omicron Cluster - all are currently in isolation
- The two new cases of the variant in the Nelson-Tasman region are contacts of existing cases - one was first announced on Sunday and now has been officially added to the case tally
- The five new cases in Auckland are linked to one of the events attended by the Motueka family, who travelled to Auckland for a wedding and other occasions over the weekend of Jan 15 and 16
- The new case in Palmerston North is a household contact and is linked to the previously reported Omicron case in the city - they were already isolating
- The number of cases and their contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of the variant
- Anyone with symptoms, or anyone who has been to a location of interest at the notified times, is urged to get tested immediately and isolate
- The Ministry of Health is now prioritising whole genome sequencing for any unlinked cases of COVID-19 in the community, as opposed to international arrivals. It's hoped the new approach will help to detect any cases of Omicron as quickly as possible, establish links to existing cases, and slow the spread of the virus. The samples will be treated as urgent and tested within 12 to 24 hours of being received by the laboratory
- The ministry is also now assuming all recent arrivals who test positive are infected with the Omicron variant, and as such will also prioritise whole genome sequencing for any border-related workers and their families who test positive.
1:28pm - Here are today's regional updates:
Today's cases*
We are reporting new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua, Palmerston North and Nelson-Tasman.
One of the Nelson-Tasman cases was first announced on Sunday and has been officially added to the case tally today. Both cases are linked to previously reported Omicron cases.
The Palmerston North case is a household contact of previously reported Omicron case and this case was already isolating.
** In addition to the community cases, there are two confirmed historical border cases in Canterbury to report.
Regional updates
We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested, even if fully vaccinated. Please stay at home until you return a negative result. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are frequently 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 are four new cases in the Kaitaia area. All are contacts of previously reported cases.
In addition, one case reported last week has been admitted to hospital.
Auckland
There are 13 cases to report in Auckland today.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 676 people in the region to isolate at home, including 157 cases.
Summerset by the Park Rest Home Flat Bush
Residents and staff of an Auckland aged residential care facility have been tested for COVID-19 after a worker who tested positive was linked to the current Omicron outbreak.
The rest home is now closed to visitors.
Anyone who visited the rest home since Tuesday, January 18 is asked to 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 return a negative result.
Test results for residents and staff are currently being processed. The results returned so far have been negative.
Whole genome sequencing is being carried out, however we are treating this as an Omicron case.
Waikato
There are four new cases in the Waikato today, all linked to previously reported cases. Two are from Hamilton, one is from Atiamuri and the location of one remains under investigation.
Pop-up testing sites are operating in Te Kūiti, Ngāruawāhia, Huntly, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Putāruru and Hamilton today.
There were 480 tests processed in Waikato on Sunday and 1882 vaccinations administered.
In the Waikato, public health, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 19 cases to isolate at home.
Lakes
There is one new case to report in the Rotorua District, linked to a previously reported case.
1:27pm - Here is the latest information on case numbers and vaccination rates:
COVID-19 vaccine update
Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): first doses 3,996,350 (95 pct); 3,911,109 second doses (93 pct); 36,646 third primary doses; 996,196 booster doses
Vaccines administered yesterday: 527 first doses; 852 second doses; 63 third primary doses, 6,399 paediatric doses; 21,318 booster doses.
Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 509,257 first doses (89 pct); 480,606 second doses (84 pct).
Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 275,696 first doses (96 pct); 267,076 second doses (93 pct).
Paediatric vaccines administer to date (percentage of 5-11-year olds): 80,545 first doses (17 pct)
Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people)
Northland DHB: First doses (89 pct); second doses (86 pct)
Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (97 pct); second doses (95 pct)
Waikato DHB: First doses (94 pct); second doses (92 pct)
Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94 pct); second doses (92 pct)
Lakes DHB: First doses (93 pct); second doses (90 pct)
Hawke's Bay: First doses (96 pct); second doses (93 pct)
MidCentral DHB: First doses (96 pct); second doses (94 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)
Canterbury DHB: First doses (99 pct); second doses (97 pct)
Hospitalisations
Cases in hospital: 10; North Shore: 5; Auckland: 2; Middlemore: 1, Rotorua: 1, Northland: 1
Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (2 cases / 25 pct); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (0 case / 0 pct); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (5 cases / 62 pct); unknown (1 case / 12 pct).
Average age of current hospitalisations: 57
Cases in ICU or HDU: 0
Cases
Seven day rolling average of community cases: 27
Seven day rolling average of border cases: 43
Number of new community cases: 25
Number of new cases identified at the border: 50
Location of new community cases: Northland (4), Auckland (13), Waikato (4), Lakes (1), MidCentral (1)*, Nelson Tasman (2)*
Number of community cases (total): 11,515 (in current community outbreak)
Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8,762
Number of active cases (total): 467 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
Confirmed cases (total): 15,250
Contacts
Number of active contacts being managed (total): 5,160
Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 79 pct
Percentage who has returned at least one result: 77 pct
Tests
Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 10,061
Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 13,607
Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 4,640
Wastewater
No unexpected results.
NZ COVID Tracer
Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,154,648
Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 43,025
My Vaccine Pass
My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,893,535
My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 11,609.
1:26pm - The Ministry of Health has also provided updates on whole genome sequencing, testing and locations of interest:
Whole genome sequencing
With the evolving international data on Omicron and new community cases of the variant, we have recently amended the prioritisation of whole genome sequencing on positive cases of COVID-19.
As Omicron is potentially now transmitting in the New Zealand community, we are prioritising whole genome sequencing for any unlinked positive cases of COVID-19 in the community. This new approach will help to detect any cases of Omicron as quickly as possible, establish any links to existing cases, and slow the spread of the virus. These samples will be treated as urgent and tested within 12-24 hours of being received by the laboratory.
Furthermore, as we are now assuming all recent arrivals who test positive have the Omicron variant, we will also prioritise whole genome sequencing for any positive cases of COVID-19 in border-related workers and their families.
Previously we prioritised whole genome sequencing for cases of COVID-19 in international arrivals. Samples from international arrivals will still be analysed as part of routine sequencing.
Locations of interest
Further locations of interest have been identified across Auckland and the Nelson-Tasman region and these will be published on the Ministry's website as they are confirmed. We are encouraging everyone in these regions to check the locations of interest and follow the public health advice.
There will be people from outside of these regions who may have visited those locations at the same time period, so it is important for anyone who has been in these locations over the past week to check the website and see if they are included in that time the case was there.
It is also a timely reminder to all potential close contacts of a case to either call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or record their visit online to a location of interest and follow advice from a health professional, as this advice is specific to an individual and the exposure event.
There is a Section 70 notice in place that puts a legal requirement on all people who were at locations of interest at the relevant times to follow the instructions regarding isolation and testing. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to $4,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.
Testing
We continue to urge anyone with symptoms, or anyone who has been to a location of interest at the times notified, to isolate immediately and get tested promptly.
At this stage, we are doing what we have already successfully done with Delta to slow the spread of the virus.
If you are unwell, stay home and get a test – at the moment, that is the same PCR test with a nasopharyngeal swab that we have used successfully over the last two years
If you are required to isolate, you will receive advice and – if needed – support to do so; at this stage you will need to isolate for 14 days if you are a case, and 10 days if you are a close contact.
All DHBs are ensuring there is good access to testing across the regions. Public health officials are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring additional testing capacity is available, if needed.
All testing locations nationwide are available at Healthpoint.co.nz.
1:25pm - The Ministry of Health's latest update is in.
There are 25 new cases in the community to report on Monday.
To date, 19 cases of COVID-19 associated with the January Omicron Cluster have been identified, all of whom are in isolation.
Here's an update from the Ministry of Health on the Omicron outbreak:
More than a million booster doses given; 25 community cases; 10 in hospital
More than 1 million booster doses have now been administered – 57 percent of those who are due.
Boosters lower your chances of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant, making you very sick and being hospitalised, and help to slow the spread of the virus. If you're 18 or older and it's been 4 months since your second vaccine dose, get your booster as soon as you can. Book your booster or find a walk-in vaccination centre at BookMyVaccine.nz.
More than 100,000 5-to-11-year-olds have now either had or are booked to have their first dose of the paediatric vaccine, about 23 per cent of the age group. The Ministry of Health recommends vaccinating tamariki to keep them safe and help protect whānau and communities from COVID-19. Parents and caregivers to find out more on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
The COVID-19 vaccine remains New Zealand's key defence against all variants of the virus, including Omicron.
Omicron update
Public health officials are continuing to manage Omicron cases in the community through rapidly isolating cases and contacts, contact tracing, and testing in order to slow the spread.
To date, there are 19 community cases of COVID-19 associated with the January Omicron Cluster, all are in isolation.
Of these cases, today we are reporting eight – two are in the Nelson/Tasman region and are contacts of existing cases, five cases are in Auckland linked to one of the reported family events, and there is an additional case in Palmerston North, a household contact who was already isolating and linked to the previously reported Palmerston North Omicron case.
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.
As part of our collective preparations for Omicron, please check your details are up to date with your regular healthcare provider and in the COVID-19 Tracer app.
We also continue to urge anyone with symptoms, or anyone who has been to a location of interest at the times notified, to isolate immediately and get tested promptly.
1:10pm - Leading epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker is warning that every New Zealander will either become infected with the Omicron variant, or know someone who contracts it.
Earlier this morning, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said he expects "tens of thousands" of people will contract the strain within a matter of weeks once the variant has found a firm foothold in the community. Although this isn't based on data modelling, the Government is currently making plans to manage up to 50,000 cases a day to ensure its well-prepared for a possible onslaught.
Speaking to Newshub on Monday, Prof Baker echoed Hipkins' projection, saying he also expected to see "tens of thousands of cases" and "several-hundred deaths" over the next three or four months.
"Nowhere is ever ready because there are degrees of readiness," Baker said. "We will see tens of thousands of cases and unfortunately several-hundred deaths in the next three or four months.
"It's the new, new for us. All of us will either get Omicron or know someone that had got it, so we've been very removed from this threat to date, which has been a good thing because now we have a lot more tools to manage it.
"That is helpful but it's still going to be tough and a lot of us are going to get a very unpleasant illness, so we just have to be prepared for that."
1pm - Here's a helpful video from the Ministry of Health on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19:
12:50pm - The government of the Cook Islands is due to discuss on Monday the future of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with New Zealand.
According to Stuff, the future of the travel bubble has been called into question following the emergence of the highly infectious Omicron variant in New Zealand's community.
The Cook Islands' cabinet will convene on Monday afternoon to discuss whether quarantine-free travel with New Zealand will continue - a mere 10 days after the bubble was reinflated.
The first tourists departed New Zealand for a getaway in Rarotonga on January 14, five months after the travel arrangement was halted due to the outbreak of the Delta variant in August.
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation general manager Graeme West told Stuff that quarantine-free travel remains "full steam ahead" - for now - but visitors are asked to ensure they haven't visited any locations of interest before travelling.
12:40pm - There is no press conference today, however the Ministry of Health will release the latest updates on the outbreak in a statement after 1pm. We will publish the statement as soon as we receive it.
12:30pm - The Lakes region has now fully vaccinated 90 percent of its eligible population.
Lakes District Health Board, which spans Taupō and Rotorua, is celebrating the important milestone ahead of the looming Omicron outbreak.
However, vaccination rates among Māori continue to lag behind - 88 percent of Māori under Lakes District Health Board have received their first dose and 82 percent are fully vaccinated.
The DHB has expressed its commitment to ensuring Māori also achieve the all-important 90 percent target.
12:20pm - Tarka Indian Eatery in Auckland's Mission Bay has been identified as a high-risk location of interest after it was visited by an Omicron-infected guest a little over a week ago.
A spokesperson for the restaurant told Stuff there was a group of 15 to 20 people at the eatery at the time, including three staff who have since tested negative.
The gathering at the restaurant was a pre-party to the wedding that took place on January 15, Stuff reports, with the New Lynn events venue also identified as a location of interest.
Anyone who was at the restaurant on Friday, January 14 between 4pm and 5pm is asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately.
12:05pm - The New Zealand Medical Association has joined the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists in their call for the declaration of a health workforce emergency.
"Health workers have a greater level of exposure risk to Omicron and with the current requirements to stand down and isolate, it creates a double-whammy for an overloaded health system trying to operate when even more understaffed than usual," Alistair Humphrey, chair of the New Zealand Medical Association, said on Monday.
"It's really tough to consistently deliver the world-leading patient care New Zealanders expect when our health professionals are stretched too thin.
"For most of us who are vaccinated, if we become sick with COVID-19 we will only experience mild illness. However, for children too young to be vaccinated, our immunocompromised whānau and others, they may need hospital care.
"With crowded hospitals, that may not be a possibility for many people. Despite their best efforts, doctors are not being resourced or supported to provide a level of care New Zealanders have expected in the past.
"Many patients are having to wait for weeks or more to see a GP. As a consequence, some patients are presenting to after hours clinics and emergency departments, where the waiting times in busy periods can be pushed up many hours. This is compounded by health staff having to put on and carefully take off PPE between patients - consultations are now taking much longer, even if they would have usually been relatively short."
Humphrey says now is the time for the Government to "recognise and invest" in healthcare professionals.
"COVID-19 will not be the last, nor even the most-deadly pandemic. If we all do our part, we can get through this together and be better prepared for next time."
The Medical Association is New Zealand's largest medical organisation with around 5000 members from all areas of medicine.
11:55am - Auckland Council chief executive Jim Stabback says the council is doing what it can to plan for the impacts of an Omicron outbreak and while some of those impacts can't be mitigated, there are some important considerations to be made.
"We've taken a 'not if, but when' approach to our planning and we're thinking carefully about how the council delivers essential services if our region and our own workforce are affected by Omicron. You only need to look at how Australia has been affected, with large numbers of people having to isolate or stay home to recuperate," Stabback said on Monday.
"The knock-on effect is seen in areas like manufacturing, supply chain and delivery of critical services."
If a large percentage of Auckland Council employees are unable to work due to sickness, some of the council's services and facilities - like libraries, pools, leisure centres and community venues - may need to close or operate in a limited capacity.
"While we may also see this happen as a result of increased (Government-led) restrictions due to community cases, we acknowledge that we may also have to make some hard decisions around the continuation of these services ourselves. Staffing, workforce distribution and the high likelihood of exposure events or our sites being locations of interest could all play into these decisions," Stabback said.
"It is also important that we do everything we can to protect the ongoing delivery of the critical services that we operate... like waste collection, cemetery and crematoria services, water services that we deliver alongside Watercare and some of our regulatory and compliance services.
"Delivery of these services may look different or be pared back somewhat, but what is most important is our ability to still deliver the most critical aspects of our business. We will also support our council-controlled organisations to do the same."
As in previous lockdowns, online options will remain available, either to complete transactions or access services like the Auckland Council Libraries e-collections.
The council introduced a series of vaccination policies and guidelines in late 2021, including an interim position on customer vaccination, to help protect staff and customers using its sites and facilities.
"More than 97 percent of our people are double-vaccinated and with many also becoming eligible for booster shots in the coming weeks, we have a well-protected workforce which we hope will lessen the impact of Omicron. We're also working with our contractors, suppliers and others that work with us to make sure similar expectations apply.
"Vaccine passes are required at all of our staffed sites and venues, like libraries, pools, leisure centres and gyms, galleries and visitor centres."
For more information about what you can and can't do under the red setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework, visit OurAuckland.
11:30am - There is no "silver bullet" against the Omicron variant, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said - but there are things we can do to help.
Speaking to RNZ's Morning Report on Monday, Hipkins stressed the importance of masks, preparing for the possibility of isolation, and booster shots.
"The cat is out of the bag to some extent, and we know that we're that we're likely to see more cases, and potentially significant more cases associated with these ones," Hipkins said.
"There's no silver bullet - we are going to experience a large number of cases.
"There are some unavoidable realities about this, and one of those unavoidable realities is that we will see Omicron spreading much more quickly than previous variants of the virus."
Experts have strongly advised that surgical masks are still the best bet, Hipkins said.
While testing has demonstrated that N95 masks are more effective against COVID-19, in real-world application, it's not that simple.
"An N95 mask needs to be the right fit, otherwise it can be potentially less effective. If you buy the wrong shape or the wrong size and it doesn't sit properly, then actually the extra protection that you could be getting - you won't necessarily get that."
The healthcare sector and frontline workers have been prioritised for N95 masks, with staff given tutorials on how to achieve the correct fit.
Hipkins said the Government will enact any new advice regarding masks and the Omicron variant, but the research is still evolving.
11:15am - More locations of interest have been identified in Auckland and Motueka.
A previously identified high-risk exposure event in Auckland has now been linked to a case of the Omicron variant.
Anyone who attended Tarka Indian Eatery Mission Bay on Friday, January 14 between 4pm and 5pm is asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately.
"This exposure is linked to an Omicron case. Self-isolate, test immediately and on day five 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."
Bus 120 from Don Buck Rd to Constellation Station has also been identified as a high-risk exposure event in Auckland, but has not been linked to an Omicron case. People who travelled on the bus are still asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately.
- Bus 120 [Stop 5564] Don Buck Rd to Constellation Station, Auckland - Thurs, Jan 20, 6:30am - 7:30am: 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.
Two shuttle buses to and from Auckland Airport's domestic terminal have also been linked to an Omicron case. Anyone who travelled on the same shuttles are asked to self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after the date of exposure.
- Shuttle Bus Transfer from Auckland Domestic Airport to Park & Ride - Thurs, Jan 20, 3pm - 3:10pm: This exposure is linked to an 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.
- Shuttle Bus Transfer from Park & Ride to Auckland Domestic Airport - Wed, Jan 19, 1pm - 1:10pm: This exposure is linked to an 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.
A medical centre in Motueka has also been identified as a high-risk exposure event and linked to a suspected Omicron case. Anyone who was there between the relevant times is asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately.
- Greenwood Health, Motueka - Fri, Jan 21, 11:40am - 1:45pm: This 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.
An exposure event at Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park at Arthurs Point, which was first identified as a high-risk location of interest last week, has also been updated.
- Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park, Arthurs Point - Tues, Jan 11, 12am - 9:45pm: 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.
11:05am - Another of New Zealand's major events has been forced to cancel for the second time in two years.
Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow, which was first held in 1988, traditionally attracts some 55,000 people over three days and injects more than $40 million into the Southern Lakes regional economy.
Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust chairman, John Gilks, says the board of trustees were left with no option but to cancel following the Government's decision to shift the nation into the red setting of the 'traffic light' system, which prohibits public events from exceeding 100 people.
"The Government has indicated that the country will remain in red for weeks so we cannot continue to plan for an Airshow. The health and safety of the amazing team which delivers Warbirds Over Wanaka and all our visitors is paramount," Gilks said on Monday.
"We know this will be a huge blow for all those people who have worked hard to pull this event together, especially following on from the disappointment of being one of the first major events in New Zealand to cancel because of COVID back in March 2020. It is also going to be upsetting for the thousands of people who have already bought tickets and were looking forward to the enjoyment our event brings so many.
"We are also extremely disappointed for the numerous businesses, not just in Wanaka but around the region, which benefit hugely from the Airshow. We know they were upset when we cancelled back in 2020 and they were looking to our event this Easter as a major financial boost, given the tough times they have faced over the past almost two years."
Warbirds Over Wanaka ticket holders from both New Zealand and overseas will be offered a full refund. Ticketek will be in touch with them in the near future.
The next Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is planned for Easter 2024.
10:20am - St John may ask non-paramedics to work as ambulance assistants when the outbreak of the Omicron variant starts to surge, Stuff reports.
The Ministry of Health has told the ambulance service to expect a rapid increase in cases for about an eight to 12-week period from mid-February.
However, the service is already understaffed.
"Our overseas colleagues reported that their ambulance services were extremely busy within two weeks of community transmission of Omicron," deputy chief executive Dan Ohs told Stuff.
"If we experience extreme demand, we may bring on ambulance assistants who have been trained to drive an ambulance, safely lift patients, and perform effective CPR, and partner them with a qualified ambulance officer to provide additional support."
Across the Tasman, overworked paramedics in Sydney have been taking ambulances home to be 'on call' as New South Wales battles a severe outbreak of the Omicron variant. The state recorded a further 13,620 cases on Sunday, a significant drop compared to the 20,148 infections on Saturday.
10:05am - An Indian restaurant is the latest high-risk location of interest to be identified in Auckland.
Anyone who visited Tarka Indian Eatery in Mission Bay between 4pm and 5pm on Friday, January 15 is asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately.
Another potential exposure event has also been identified at Countdown in Motueka. The supermarket was visited by a suspected case of the Omicron variant on Tuesday, January 18.
Anyone who was at the supermarket between 7pm and 8pm is asked to self-monitor for symptoms.
"This 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."
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice, click here.
9:55am - A gazette notice authorising greater supply and distribution of rapid antigen tests (RATs) is a step in the right direction, but doesn't go far enough, says ACT leader David Seymour.
There have been repeated calls to make RATs more widely available in New Zealand, with the tests currently only available in select settings. Supervised tests for asymptomatic, unvaccinated travellers aged over 12 years and three months have been available at selected pharmacies from December 15.
"There are 67 brands of tests available in Australia that have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and they have a shortage. We are hamstrung by the doctrinaire Medsafe 'letting' New Zealanders have only a handful of tests and under limited conditions," Seymour said in a statement on Monday.
"They should also be available in more places. Why can't people buy them online or in a supermarket? Limiting them to pharmacies is short-sighted.
"COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said this morning there are six or seven million RATs in the country. That's not even enough for two per person.
"Omicron won't slow down so the Government needs to speed up its response. That should start with approving more tests and making them widely available."
9:40am - Controversial British columnist and media personality Piers Morgan has taken yet another swipe at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on social media after he criticised the Government's return to "draconian" measures amid the Omicron outbreak.
Following the news on Sunday that all of New Zealand would return to red, the most restrictive setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework, Morgan took to Twitter to question why the heightened measures were necessary given the nation's high vaccination rates.
"Given over 90 percent of New Zealand's eligible population has had at least two doses of [the] COVID vaccine, and Omicron is indisputably a significantly less severe strain of the virus, I’m not sure why Jacinda Ardern is implementing draconian new restrictions & cancelling her wedding?" he tweeted.
Morgan later doubled-down on his assessment of the Government's response, tweeting that New Zealand is trapped in a "perpetual pandemic prison".
"Vaccines + much milder Omicron is the most likely way out of this. NZ has very high vaccination levels now so shouldn't continue with Ardern's unachievable zero COVID ambition," he said.
9:15am - To recap, the Government is planning for the possibility of up to 50,000 a cases a day to ensure it is well-prepared for all scenarios as the Omicron variant finds a foothold in the community.
The 50,000 figure is not based on modelling.
Auckland's three District Health Boards are predicting around 1800 cases a day for the city at the peak of the outbreak, which is expected in March.
Meanwhile, leading data modeller Michael Plank says half of New Zealand's population could be infected with the variant within a matter of months.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB on Monday morning, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said there could be "tens of thousands" of new cases each day "within weeks".
On Sunday, it was confirmed that nine people had tested positive for the variant in Motueka, a town in the Tasman District. The group had travelled to Auckland for a wedding on January 15 and other events, including a funeral. They also visited an amusement park and the Sky Tower in the following days.
Auckland Airport's domestic terminal and a rest home in Flat Bush have been added to the growing list of locations of interest, including three sites in the Nelson region.
A fully vaccinated staffer at the Summerset by the Park retirement village, who is associated with the Motueka cases, has also tested positive.
An Air New Zealand staffer has also contracted the variant.
Five flights have been identified as high-risk exposure events - Flight NZ5080 Nelson - Auckland, Flight NZ5083 Auckland - Nelson, Flight NZ5049 Auckland - New Plymouth, Flight NZ5042 New Plymouth - Auckland and Flight NZ5077 Auckland - Nelson. Anyone on-board is required to self-isolate and get tested immediately.
9:05am - The head of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer says an annual COVID-19 vaccine would be preferable to more frequent booster shots.
Pfizer-BioNtech's vaccine has shown to be effective against severe disease and death caused by the heavily mutated Omicron variant, but less effective in preventing transmission.
With cases soaring, some countries have expanded their COVID-19 vaccine booster programmes or shortened the gap between shots as governments scramble to shore up protection.
In an interview with Israel's N12 News, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla was asked whether booster shots will likely need to be administered every four to five months on a regular basis.
"This will not be a good scenario. What I'm hoping [is] that we will have a vaccine that you will have to [have] once a year," Bourla said.
"Once a year - it is easier to convince people to do it. It is easier for people to remember.
"So from a public health perspective, it is an ideal situation. We are looking to see if we can create a vaccine that covers Omicron and doesn't forget the other variants and that could be a solution," Bourla said.
Bourla has said Pfizer could be ready to file for approval for a redesigned vaccine to fight the variant, and mass produce it, as soon as March.
Citing three studies, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday that a third dose of an mRNA vaccine is key to fighting the strain, providing 90 percent protection against hospitalisation.
A preliminary study published by Israel's Sheba Medical Center on Monday found that a fourth shot increases antibodies to even higher levels than the third, but was likely not enough to fend off Omicron. Nonetheless, a second booster was still advised for risk groups, Sheba said.
- Reuters
8:55am - While Kiwis have generally been supportive of the Government's decision to shift the country back into the red setting, former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan has taken a different stance.
The controversial columnist took a swipe at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Twitter following the news of New Zealand's step back into more restrictive measures.
"Given over 90 percent of New Zealand's eligible population has had at least two doses of [the] COVID vaccine, and Omicron is indisputably a significantly less severe strain of the virus, I'm not sure why Jacinda Ardern is implementing draconian new restrictions & cancelling her wedding?" Morgan said.
During a stand-up on Sunday morning, Ardern confirmed she had postponed her wedding in light of the new restrictions.
Under the red setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework, events such as funerals and weddings can go ahead with a cap of 100 people - if vaccine passes are required. If the passes are not used, the gatherings must be limited to 25.
8:40am - Air New Zealand is expecting more cases of the Omicron variant among its crews with other staffers now showing symptoms, the CEO of the national carrier, Greg Foran, said on Monday.
Fifteen crew members who were identified as close contacts of an employee who tested positive for the variant over the weekend have already been stood down by the airliner.
In a statement, Air New Zealand said it has significant precautions in place for its crews as set out by the Ministry of Health and the airline's medical team, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and regular surveillance testing.
Speaking to RNZ's Morning Report on Monday, Foran said he is now aware of other crew members presenting symptoms of the virus.
"Over yesterday, we were dealing with the fact that not only this crew member had obviously picked up Omicron, but we've taken the precaution of standing down a number of pilots and other crew," he said.
"I understand that a couple of the other crew are showing symptoms at this stage.
"This will move quite quickly and we do anticipate we'll be dealing with quite a few more cases."
8:25am - A spokeswoman for the wedding venue linked to the outbreak of the Omicron variant says it was a shock to receive a call from the Ministry of Health over the weekend.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Sunday morning that all of New Zealand would shift to the red setting of the 'traffic light' system at 11:59pm after cases of the highly infectious variant were detected in the community.
The nine cases from Nelson-Tasman, who tested positive for Omicron on Saturday, had travelled to Auckland on January 13 to attend a wedding and other events on the weekend of January 15 and 16.
"It is a big shock for us," a spokeswoman for the Totara Event Centre in New Lynn told Stuff.
The woman said the venue is "suffering badly" following last year's extended lockdown and receiving the call on Sunday was "terrible". She noted that vaccine passes are enforced at each event.
People who attended the the event centre on January 15 between 12:30pm and 4:30pm are advised to self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19 immediately.
8:15am - Leading epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker says it's only a matter of days until the Omicron variant begins to surface in other parts of the country.
A family from Nelson-Tasman and an Air New Zealand flight attendant tested positive for the highly infectious strain over the weekend.
He told RNZ that the Government should consider reintroducing lockdowns if the variant gathers momentum too quickly, with health officials estimating tens of thousands of new cases each day. The Government has said it has no plans to reinstate the lockdowns previously imposed to curb outbreaks of the virus, now the population is highly vaccinated.
Prof Baker says the Government should also consider shortening the interval between the second vaccination and the booster from four months to three to help slow the spread.
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says his teams will consider whether to shorten the period between the second and third doses next month, as well as whether to shorten the gap between doses for children aged five to 11.
"This infection is extremely unpleasant for many people - it's like the worst head cold you've ever had. So, people need to have stocks of basic medicines like paracetamol and anti-inflammatories," Prof Baker said.
8:05am - The Omicron variant could infect half of the population within a few months, according to a leading data modeller.
The highly infectious variant is currently circulating in Auckland and possibly in the Nelson-Tasman region, with experts saying it will likely crop up elsewhere over the next few days.
Speaking to RNZ, COVID-19 data modeller Michael Plank said a significant slice of New Zealand's population could become infected with the strain once it finds a firm foothold in the community.
"It's certainly possible that once an Omicron outbreak really gets going, we could see a significant proportion of the New Zealand population get infected - it could be up to half," he said.
He stressed the figure is not set in stone, noting that there is still a lot of uncertainty about how the variant behaves after only around eight weeks on the world stage.
"The actions we take now and over the coming weeks could reduce the number of people who get infected and it could be a significantly lower proportion."
The Prime Minister said on Sunday that the Government is planning for up to 50,000 cases a day to ensure it is well-prepared, but stressed that figure is not based on modelling.
Auckland's three district health boards are predicting 1800 cases a day for the city at the peak of the outbreak, which could be around March.
7:55am - There will be no Cabinet meeting or press conference on Monday as ministers observe Wellington Anniversary Day.
Cabinet ministers will instead convene on Tuesday.
The decision to observe a regional holiday at the Beehive has ruffled a few feathers, with ACT leader David Seymour calling it "unacceptable".
"New Zealanders are waiting for crucial information from the Government about tweaks to the traffic light system. But Kiwis will have to wait because Cabinet ministers will be observing a regional holiday," he said on Sunday.
"Omicron is in the community and the Government has thrown the country into the red traffic light setting and gone on holiday. That's unacceptable. With information, families and businesses can start to plan - they're faced now with uncertainty.
"The Government will have to hope that the virus observes Wellington Anniversary Day while ministers take a break."
7:45am - Pressure on the healthcare system is inevitable if cases of the Omicron variant surge, says Hipkins.
The COVID-19 Response Minister told Newstalk ZB that hospitals have been preparing with surge capacity "for some time".
Looking to Australia, it's evident that the rate of people requiring intensive care is not as high compared to outbreaks of earlier strains, he said.
"We are well prepared for that."
Many people who contract Omicron will be able to recover at home and won't require hospitalisation, he noted. The variant, although highly transmissible, is understood to be less severe than previous strains.
"No country has not experienced significant pressure on the health system, and we do expect to experience pressure on the health system. The best thing every New Zealander can do to ease that is to get their booster."
7:35am - There could be tens of thousands of cases of the Omicron variant each day within a matter of weeks, says Chris Hipkins.
The modelling suggests "tens of thousands" of people could be testing positive for the variant each day "within weeks", the COVID-19 Response Minister told Newstalk ZB on Monday morning.
"It certainly could be into the tens of thousands reasonably quickly, so within weeks," he said.
"That is certainly [possible], if you look around the world that's certainly what's happened for a lot of places."
Although determining the trajectory of the outbreak is currently based on "crystal ball gazing", Omicron is not going to play out in the same way as earlier variants, he said.
"We do know that Omicron is a far more transmissible variant, so highly infectious, so therefore for every person who get its, there will be a lot more extra people that get it - rather than with previous variants where we were aiming to keep that replication value down below 1 - we're not going to be able to do that with Omicron.
"We expect that in those early stages, it will start off small but it will grow quickly."
7:25am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage on the COVID-19 outbreak for Monday, January 24.
