There were 28 new community cases announced by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, alongside 65 cases at the border and two deaths.
The ministry also says that 40 percent of the eligible population have now had their booster shot.
What you need to know:
- There were 28 new community cases announced on Tuesday and 65 at the border.
- Thirty-one people are in hospital, including two in ICU or HDU.
- Two more people have died with COVID-19.
- Northern Bass has been cancelled due to low vaccination rates in the region.
- Click here for locations of interest.
These live updates have finished.
5:10pm - There are nine new locations of interest. They are:
- Close contact location: The Coroglen Tavern, January 2 from 12:45pm to 2pm
- Smitty’s Sports Bar And Grill Whitianga, 10pm on January 2 to 1am to January 3
- Subway Feilding, January 4 from 1pm to 1:20pm
- Roxy Bar Auckland, 10pm on January 5 to 4am on January 6
- Sydenham Pharmacy, January 10 from 8:50am to 9:55am
- The Colombo Sydenham, January 10 from 9am to 10am
- New World Durham St Christchurch Central, January 10 from 4:30pm to 5:45pm
- Kaitoke Regional Park public toilets Upper Hutt, January 11 from 12am to 9am
- Brooklyn Food Market, January 11 from 5:55pm to 6pm.
4:45pm - There were 28 new community cases reported on Wednesday, a slight rise following Tuesday's low numbers, and two new deaths.
Aside from the daily case numbers, you may have missed the details of the Ministry of Health's latest update.
4:25pm - There are three new locations of interest. They are:
- New World Kaikōura, January 5 from 1:25pm to 1:45pm
- Hammer Hardware Kaikōura, January 5 from 1:30pm to 1:50pm
- Brooklyn Food Market, January 11 from 5:55pm to 6pm.
4:05pm - The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is on track to infect more than half of Europeans, but it should not yet be seen as a flu-like endemic illness, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
Europe saw more than 7 million newly-reported cases in the first week of 2022, more than doubling over a two-week period, WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge told a news briefing.
"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6-8 weeks," Kluge said, referring to a research centre at the University of Washington.
Fifty out of 53 countries in Europe and central Asia have logged cases of the more infectious variant, Kluge said.
Evidence, however, is emerging that Omicron is affecting the upper respiratory tract more than the lungs, causing milder symptoms than previous variants. But the WHO has cautioned more studies are still needed to prove this.
On Monday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said it may be time to change how it tracks COVID-19's evolution to instead use a method similar to flu, because its lethality has fallen. That would imply treating the virus as an endemic illness, rather than a pandemic, without recording every case and without testing all people presenting symptoms.
But that is "a way off", WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, said at the briefing, adding that endemicity requires a stable and predictable transmission.
"We still have a huge amount of uncertainty and a virus that is evolving quite quickly, imposing new challenges. We are certainly not at the point where we are able to call it endemic," Smallwood said.
"It may become endemic in due course, but pinning that down to 2022 is a little bit difficult at this stage."
- Reuters
3:45pm - Over in Australia, the state of Victoria has recorded 40,127 new cases and 21 deaths.
There are 946 people in hospital, 112 of which are in ICU and 31 are on ventilators. The number of those hospitalised is currently the highest it's ever been there.
In New South Wales, there are 34,759 new cases and 21 deaths, making it their deadliest day of the pandemic.
There are 2242 people in hospital, 175 of which are in ICU. Premier Dominic Perrottet says half of ICU patients are unvaccinated.
And in Queensland, there are 22,069 new cases - a new daily record of infections.
There are 525 people in hospital, 30 of which are in ICU.
3:15pm - Auckland Council has confirmed that all its staffed facilities and council-run community events will require the use of vaccination passes until the end of June 2022. This extends the council's interim position, which was put in place in early December 2021.
Mayor Phil Goff says he supports the extension.
"The move to orange in the COVID-19 Protection Framework does not change the requirement for vaccine passes at staffed facilities," he says.
"This is because the council's top priority remains the safety of people on its premises, and to reduce the chances of the spread of COVID-19 within them.
"Summer is a popular time for events, and we want to ensure everyone attending our council-run events is safe. Requiring vaccine passes reduces the risk in situations where gathering sizes mean social distancing is not practical or is not an effective control."
Councillor Alf Filipaina, chair of the council's Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee, says he is fully supportive of the staff in this decision.
"Extending the requirement for vaccine passes is not an easy decision. We know Aucklanders love their libraries, art galleries, community centres, visitor centres and more, and we want as many people as possible to make the most of and enjoy our region," he says.
"We want to stress that people without vaccination passes will still be able to access our services, and this extension will allow us to continue to develop and implement alternative service options for customers who do not have a vaccine pass.
"Some services may be delivered to unvaccinated customers in a different way than before, but we will ensure these are still accessible to everyone, such as our libraries’ highly popular Wi-Fi, digital and 'Click-and-Collect' services."
2:50pm - A number of locations of interest have been released, including several 'close contact' ones:
The Barrio Brothers Tauranga - Thursday, January 6 between 6pm and 9:30pm
Cleveland Motel Outdoor Pool, Rotorua - Friday, December 31 between 3pm and 3:30pm and between 8pm and 8:15pm
2:35pm - Northern Bass, the festival held just north of the Northland/Auckland boundary, has cancelled its upcoming event. It was originally scheduled for over New Year's but had to be postponed due to Northland staying in the 'red light'. It was pushed out to the end of January.
Organisers now say vaccine rates in Northland are still "not being what they need to be" and that the threat of Omicron and headline performers testing positive means they have to cancel the postponed event.
"It's been a long few weeks of ups and downs and thanks to so many of you for sticking with us through it all, but at the end of the day, we had to make the decision that keeps the majority as safe as possible.
"We had to consider the Northland vax rates just not being what they need to be, the growing threat of Omicron, headliners who couldn't travel due to being positive for Covid and all of the festivals that ended up as locations of interest. It’s just not a risk we can take, a risk we can put Northland at, or a risk we can expose you all to.
"We never thought it would come to this. We tried everything to keep the Jan dates alive, but the picture now is not the same as it was when we originally postponed."
2:10pm - The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is on track to infect more than half of Europeans, but it should not yet be seen as a flu-like endemic illness, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
Europe saw more than 7 million newly-reported cases in the first week of 2022, more than doubling over a two-week period, WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge told a news briefing.
"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6-8 weeks," Kluge said, referring to a research centre at the University of Washington.
1:55pm - This is the Ministry of Health's regional update:
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.
Auckland
There are 17 cases to report in Auckland today.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 888 people in the region to isolate at home, including 185 cases.
Waikato
There is one new case in the Waikato today. The case is in Atiamuri and is being managed by Toi Te Ora Public Health.
Pop-up testing sites are operating in Whangamatā, Te Kūiti, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Ōtorohanga, Putāruru, Huntly and Hamilton today.
Testing is available at general practices in Waihi, Whangamatā, Whitianga and Te Awamutu by appointment. For details of all dedicated testing sites including other general practices, please visit Healthpoint, Waikato DHB or check the pinned post on our Facebook page.
Public Health staff in the region, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 29 cases to isolate at home.
Bay of Plenty
There are four cases to report in Tauranga today, all of which are close contacts of previously reported cases.
All cases are isolating at home or in managed accommodation.
Lakes
There are four cases to report in Rotorua today.
One case is a close contact of a previously reported case, and three are still being investigated for links to previously reported cases.
All cases are isolating at home or in managed accommodation.
Canterbury
There is a total of four community cases in Canterbury and one in South Canterbury, including the two announced yesterday.
This total of five includes three new cases being announced today, two are close contacts of previously reported case and one remains under investigation.
Three of these five cases will be formally added to our case numbers tomorrow.
Investigations are continuing but it’s expected there will be new locations of interest around Christchurch. Please check the Ministry’s locations of interest page, which is regularly updated.
1:45pm - Here is the Ministry of Health's update on the two deaths:
"A man in his 30s, who sadly died at home on 5 January, was tested for COVID-19 post-death and returned a positive result.
"In addition, a man is his 60s sadly died with COVID-19 at Middlemore Hospital on Sunday.
"Our thoughts are with their whānau and friends at this deeply sad time.
"Out of respect for both families, no further details will be released and we will be making no further comment at this time."
1:40pm - The Ministry of Health has released the latest update, showing there are 28 new community cases, 65 new cases at the border, and two new deaths.
"To date, there are 196 Omicron COVID-19 cases detected at the border since 1 December, and 11 cases of the Delta variant," the ministry says.
"There are also 217 COVID-19 cases caught at the border that are still undergoing Whole Genome Sequencing. The expectation is that the vast majority will be the Omicron variant.
"During the same period, more than 18,000 people have arrived and been processed through Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities
"New Zealand has taken steps to manage the risk of a community Omicron outbreak linked to border cases, including increasing the period overseas arrivals must spend in MIQ, and shifting the focus of whole genome sequencing to areas of most risk, such as for any cases in border workers.
"The MIQ system exists to catch cases at the border. Managed isolation and quarantine facilities are well set up to care for Omicron cases and protect the community. The staff at facilities are experienced in managing and caring for positive cases.
"All Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities follow very strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures developed by the Ministry of Health to manage the risks of spreading COVID-19. People in MIQ undergo regular routine testing.
"All travellers arriving into New Zealand require a pre-departure test. Travellers must receive their test 48 hours prior to travel. Travellers also must complete four tests while in managed isolation. This testing regime provides an extra level protection to our existing border measures."
COVID-19 vaccine update
- Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,983,660 first doses (95%); 3,882,793 second doses (92%); 33,385 third primary doses; 594,947 booster doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,495 first doses; 3,812 second doses; 646 third primary doses and 45,984 booster doses.
- Māori (percentage of eligible people): 504,183 first doses (88%); 470,807 second doses (82%).
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 273,091 first doses (95%); 263,029 second doses (92%).
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 (91%)
- Lakes DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89%)
- Taranaki DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (87%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (92%)
- 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: 31; North Shore: 2; Auckland: 11; Middlemore: 13; Tauranga: 4; Waikato 1
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (8 cases / 32%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (6 cases / 24%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (10 cases / 40%); unknown (1 case / 4%).
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 56
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 2; Middlemore: 1; Tauranga: 1
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 29
- Seven day rolling average of border cases: 33
- Number of new community cases: 28
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 65
- Location of new community cases: Auckland (17), Waikato (1), Bay of Plenty (4), Lakes (4), Christchurch* (1), South Canterbury (1)
- Number of community cases (total): 11,210 (in current community outbreak)
- Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8,466
- Number of active cases (total): 678 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 14,473
Contacts
- Number of active contacts being managed (total): 4,832
- Percentage who have received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 81%
- Percentage who have returned at least one result: 81%
Tests
- Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 19,712
- Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 14,532
- Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 9,282
Wastewater
- There were no unexpected wastewater detections.
NZ COVID Tracer
- Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,388,972
- Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 42,294
My Vaccine Pass
- My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,742,266
- My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 15,466
1:35pm - There is still no update through from the Ministry of Health.
12:40pm - We are now waiting on the case update from the Ministry of Health.
12:20pm - There is one new location of interest:
- Owls Attic Carterton - Sunday, January 9 between 12:43pm and 12:53pm.
11:50am - New Zealand should try to delay letting Omicron into the community for as long as possible to prepare for when the COVID-19 variant does arrive, a researcher says.
On Tuesday, there were just 14 new community cases of COVID-19 and 92 percent of the country's eligible population are now double-vaccinated.
But Te Pūnaha Matatini complex systems researcher Dion O'Neale told Morning Report the numbers could skyrocket if there was a leak of Omicron from a managed isolation and quarantine facility.
11:35am - There have been two new locations of interest announced so far on Wednesday, including one 'close contact' location.
Trocadero Coffee Bar in Masteron is listed as a 'close contact' location of interest on Sunday, January 9 between 11:17am and 12:30pm. Anyone here during that time is asked to self-isolate, get tested immediately and on day five after you were exposed.
"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."
The other location of interest is BP Connect Ōtaki on January 5 between 2:50pm and 4pm. Anyone here at this time is asked to self-monitor for symptoms.
11:20am - Kia ora, good morning and welcome to Newshub's live updates for Wednesday.
Will it be another low case number day? That's the question on everyone's lips after only 14 cases were recorded on Tuesday.
"The low number of cases reported today is welcome news, particularly with increasing testing numbers," the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday. "We thank New Zealanders for the care they have taken over the holiday period while travelling across the country and connecting with friends and family.
"However, we know case numbers can be quite variable from day to day and it remains likely that there will be a rise again in coming days."
The ministry called on people to remain vigilant as the virus is still out there.
