COVID case numbers have plummeted in New Zealand on Sunday with 12,020 new infections.
It comes after New Zealand recorded 18,514 infections on Saturday.
The Ministry of Health said on Sunday nine people have died with COVID-19 in the past day; one from Capital and Coast, four from Auckland, three from Bay of Plenty and one from Waikato.
Hospitalisations increased on Sunday with 957 people in hospital, up from 939 on Saturday, and 26 in intensive care.
Meanwhile, the Government quietly announced it has dropped managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) and self-isolation requirements for unvaccinated Kiwi travellers.
What you need to know:
- There were 12,020 new community COVID cases recorded on Sunday
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (416), Auckland (2,768), Waikato (1,093), Bay of Plenty (804), Lakes (330), Hawke’s Bay (676), MidCentral (540), Whanganui (169), Taranaki (373), Tairāwhiti (210), Wairarapa (146), Capital and Coast (795), Hutt Valley (443), Nelson Marlborough (308), Canterbury (1,897), South Canterbury (171), Southern (840), West Coast (22); Unknown (9).
- There are 957 people in hospital, including 26 in ICU
- The average age of current hospitalisations: 58
- Locations of hospitalisations: Northland: 32; North Shore: 170; Middlemore: 222; Auckland: 197; Waikato: 83; Bay of Plenty: 29; Lakes: 8; Tairāwhiti: 2, Hawke’s Bay: 30; Taranaki: 4; MidCentral: 22; Hutt Valley: 21; Capital and Coast: 50; Wairarapa: 5; Whanganui: 3; Nelson Marlborough: 10; Canterbury: 42; South Canterbury: 1; Southern: 27.
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 58
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (107 cases / 18.6%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (15 cases / 2.6%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (205 cases / 35.6%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (221 cases / 38.4%); unknown (28 cases / 4.9%)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 26
These live updates are now over.
1:07pm - Here is the latest data from the Ministry of Health on the outbreak and vaccination campaign:
Vaccinations administered in New Zealand
- Vaccines administered to date: 4,024,376 first doses; 3,971,793 second doses; 34,226 third primary doses; 2,550,651 booster doses: 256,769 paediatric first doses and 37,252 paediatric second doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 222 first doses; 407 second doses; 6 third primary doses; 5,201 booster doses; 544 paediatric first doses and 7,581 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated
- All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,052,583 first dose (96.3%); 3,999,131 second dose (95%), 2,539,049 boosted (72.8% of those eligible)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 519,733 first dose (91%); 501,544 second dose (87.8%), 223,758 boosted (59% of those eligible)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,159 first dose (98.1%); 275,841 second dose (96.2%), 133,417 boosted (59.7% of those eligible)
- 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 255,249 first dose (53.6%); 23,545 second dose (4.9%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 39,670 first dose (34.3%); 2,889 second dose (2.5%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 22,940 first dose (46.4%); 1,459 second dose (3%)
Note that the number for “People vaccinated” differs slightly from “Vaccines administered” as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas.
Vaccination rates for all DHBs*
- Northland DHB: first dose (90.1%); second dose (87.9%); boosted (69.7%)
- Auckland Metro DHB: first dose (97.2%); second dose (96.1%); boosted (71%)
- Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.5%); boosted (68.4%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95%); second dose (93.2%); boosted (68.5%)
- Lakes DHB: first dose (93.3%); second dose (91.4%); boosted (68.9%)
- MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.1%); boosted (74.4%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (90.8%); boosted (69.5%)
- Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.3%); boosted (73.9%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97%); second dose (95.3%); boosted (72.6%)
- Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.5%); second dose (93.1%); boosted (70.1%)
- Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (94.9%); boosted (75%)
- Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (81.2%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.5%); boosted (77.1%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (76%)
- West Coast DHB: first dose (92.6%); second dose (91%); boosted (74%)
- Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.6%); second dose (98.6%); boosted (75.8%)
- South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.9%); second dose (93.8%); boosted (76.6%)
- Southern DHB: first dose (98.1%); second dose (96.9%); boosted (75.1%)
*Partially and second doses percentages are for those 12+. Boosted percentages are for 18+ who have become eligible 3 months after having their second dose
Percentages are based on 2020 HSU data - a health-specific population denominator. As the population continues to change over time, coverage rates can exceed 100%.
Hospitalisations*
- Cases in hospital: total number 957: Northland: 32; North Shore: 170; Middlemore: 222; Auckland: 197; Waikato: 83; Bay of Plenty: 29; Lakes: 8; Tairāwhiti: 2, Hawke’s Bay: 30; Taranaki: 4; MidCentral: 22; Hutt Valley: 21; Capital and Coast: 50; Wairarapa: 5; Whanganui: 3; Nelson Marlborough: 10; Canterbury: 42; South Canterbury: 1; Southern: 27
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 58
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 26
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (107 cases / 18.6%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (15 cases / 2.6%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (205 cases / 35.6%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (221 cases / 38.4%); unknown (28 cases / 4.9%)
*The figures show that just under 3% of people aged 12 and over in the Northern Region have had no doses of the vaccine, while of those aged 12 and over in Northland and Auckland hospitals with COVID-19 for whom we have vaccination status recorded, 18.6% have had no doses of the vaccine and are five times over-represented in our hospitalisation figures.
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 17,278
- Number of new community cases: 12,020
- Number of new community cases (PCR): 260
- Number of new community cases (RAT): 11,760
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (416), Auckland (2,768), Waikato (1,093), Bay of Plenty (804), Lakes (330), Hawke’s Bay (676), MidCentral (540), Whanganui (169), Taranaki (373), Tairāwhiti (210), Wairarapa (146), Capital and Coast (795), Hutt Valley (443), Nelson Marlborough (308), Canterbury (1,897), South Canterbury (171), Southern (840), West Coast (22); Unknown (9)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 26
- Number of active community cases (total): 120,942 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 482,078
Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.
Tests
- Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 2,550
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 26,924
- PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,857
- PCR Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 18/03/22): 10.8 million (Please note that this number is not updated over the weekend and reflects the number of tests as of Friday.)
1:06pm - The Ministry of Health has announced new requirements for anyone that is arriving from Samoa over the coming weeks:
Travellers from Samoa
Travellers from Samoa to New Zealand on four specific flights over coming weeks are now required to complete two Rapid Antigen Tests after they arrive, the first on Day 0/1 (within 36 hours of arriving) and the second on Day 5/6 (between 120 and 144 hours after arriving). They will be issued testing kits on arrival.
This follows the identification of COVID-19 community transmission in Samoa on Thursday. Yesterday 95 cases were reported in Samoa and the country is now in an Alert Level 3 lockdown.
Travellers from Samoa are still eligible to enter New Zealand without going into quarantine, provided those on the four flights undergo the two tests and report their results either by an automated email survey or by calling 0800 432 010. This requirement does not apply to aircrew.
The four flights are:
- 19 March flight NZ993 to Auckland (already arrived)
- 22 March flight NZ993 to Auckland
- 29 March flight NZ993 to Auckland
- 10 April flight NZ993 to Auckland
1:05pm - The ministry has provided an update on the Omicron outbreak:
We are continuing to see a steady decline in case numbers in Auckland, while cases in other parts of the country fluctuate. Case numbers generally decline over the weekend, likely linked to a lower level of testing.
There are 957 COVID-19 hospitalisations to report, which is an increase from 939 reported yesterday. Every COVID-19 hospitalisation is a reminder of the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent severe illness from Omicron. There is a much lower risk of being hospitalised if you are up to date with your vaccinations, which for Omicron includes a third or booster dose.
So, if you’re due any dose of the vaccine, including a booster, please get vaccinated as quickly as possible to ensure you are well protected against Omicron.
1:03pm - Ministry of Health has provided an update on the COVID-19 related deaths:
COVID-19 related deaths
Sadly, we are today reporting and additional nine people have died with COVID-19.
This takes the total number of publicly reported COVID related deaths to 175 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths to 9.
Of these nine people who have died, one was from Capital and Coast, four from Auckland, three from the Bay of Plenty and one from Waikato.
Two of these people were in their 50s, two in their 70s, four in their 80s and one in their 90s. Eight were male and one was female.
Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time.
Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.
1:02pm - COVID case numbers have plummeted in New Zealand with 12,020 new infections and 957 people in hospital.
It comes after New Zealand recorded 18,514 infections on Saturday.
The health ministry also said nine people have died with COVID-19 on Sunday with one from Capital and Coast, four from Auckland, three from the Bay of Plenty and one from Waikato.
Of the new community cases, Northland (416), Auckland (2,768), Waikato (1,093), Bay of Plenty (804), Lakes (330), Hawke’s Bay (676), MidCentral (540), Whanganui (169), Taranaki (373), Tairāwhiti (210), Wairarapa (146), Capital and Coast (795), Hutt Valley (443), Nelson Marlborough (308), Canterbury (1,897), South Canterbury (171), Southern (840), West Coast (22); Unknown (9)
The ministry announced there are 957 people in hospital with 26 in ICU or HDU.
Of the 957 people in hospital: Northland: 32; North Shore: 170; Middlemore: 222; Auckland: 197; Waikato: 83; Bay of Plenty: 29; Lakes: 8; Tairāwhiti: 2, Hawke’s Bay: 30; Taranaki: 4; MidCentral: 22; Hutt Valley: 21; Capital and Coast: 50; Wairarapa: 5; Whanganui: 3; Nelson Marlborough: 10; Canterbury: 42; South Canterbury: 1; Southern: 27.
There are 26 new COVID cases recorded at the border in Managed Isolation and Quarantine.
12:53pm - The Ministry of Health will release a statement with the latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak at around 1pm.
Stay tuned, as we will publish the newest developments live as soon as the statement is available.
12:40pm - National has supported and "welcomed" the Government's move to allow unvaccinated Kiwis to skip Managed Isolation and Quarantine and self-isolation requirements.
National's Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop said the decision to allow unvaccinated Kiwis into the country further calls into question their COVID Traffic Light Framework.
"National welcomes the Government's move to abolish restrictions on the unvaccinated entering New Zealand, but questions why it randomly plonked on the MIQ website at the end of a three-week Parliamentary sitting block, with no Ministerial announcement," Bishop said.
"This is a significant change to New Zealand's border and the Government's reluctance to publicise it is very odd, especially when we have daily 1pm announcements.
"There is also confusion about what precisely the Government's announcement means, including whether it applies just to citizens or also includes permanent residents and other visa holders. That's what the website says, but the Order has not been published, meaning people can't study the actual legal words. This is a big mess.
"Perhaps the reason the Government doesn't want to publicise the change is that it calls into question their Traffic Light Framework. If you don't have to be vaccinated to enter New Zealand now, why are there so many rules and restrictions on the unvaccinated who are actually in the country?
"It's time to phase out vaccine mandates, abolish vaccine passes and end the confusing Traffic Light Framework. Omicron has changed the game and the rules no longer make any sense."
12:25pm - In world COVID news, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the country will roll out a second COIVD booster jab.
Johnson made the announcement at the Conservative spring conference in Blackpool on Saturday (local time) but didn't give any timeframe around the rollout.
However, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid told ITV earlier this week the fourth jab for the entire population would be rolled out in autumn, ahead of the winter season when there is an increase in viral infections.
The UK government had previously announced last month the fourth jab would be offered to over-75s, care home residents and the immunocompromised in the coming weeks.
Read the full story here.
12:14pm - A Timaru mother is pushing for people living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to be given a COVID-19 vaccine exemption after she and dozens of others reported adverse reactions following the jab.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she is absolutely pro-vaccination and takes the virus seriously.
But she wants the estimated 25,000 Kiwis with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or CFS, some of whom have suffered debilitating reactions, to be exempt from getting it.
The Timaru woman contacted Newshub after suffering debilitating side effects from her vaccine. She said she had no cause for concern when she first became eligible so she got vaccinated against COVID.
But after suffering horrendous side effects - a quickened heart rate, extreme muscle weakness, dizziness, exhaustion, nausea, body pain, mental fatigue, migraines, night sweats and uncontrollable shaking - she decided to visit her doctor.
She expressed concern it could be related to the vaccine because she has chronic fatigue, but her doctor shut her down.
"My GP put it down to anxiety. She basically gaslit me the whole appointment saying I was 'just having panic attacks, it was just anxiety'. She told me I had to get it out of my head that it had anything to do with the vaccine."
Read the full story here.
12:00pm - Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the COVID-19 outbreak for Sunday.
