The Ministry of Health has reported 20,907 new community cases, 1016 hospitalisations and 15 further deaths.
What you need to know:
- There were 20,907 new community COVID cases recorded on Tuesday
- There have been 15 deaths of people with COVID-19
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (802), Auckland (4,291), Waikato (1,882), Bay of Plenty (1,218), Lakes (594), Hawke’s Bay (1,243), MidCentral (954), Whanganui (399), Taranaki (636), Tairāwhiti (382), Wairarapa (323), Capital and Coast (1,377), Hutt Valley (808), Nelson Marlborough (683), Canterbury (3,488), South Canterbury (318), Southern (1,439), West Coast (50); Unknown (20)
- There are 1016 people in hospital, including 25 in ICU
- The average age of current hospitalisations: 59
- Locations of hospitalisations: Northland: 28; North Shore: 170; Middlemore: 227; Auckland: 210; Waikato: 79; Bay of Plenty: 39; Lakes: 10; Tairāwhiti: 4, Hawke’s Bay: 43; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 7; MidCentral: 19; Hutt Valley: 23; Capital and Coast: 45; Wairarapa: 8; Nelson Marlborough: 12; Canterbury: 56; South Canterbury: 2; Southern: 23
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (109 cases / 19%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (21 cases / 4%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (201 cases / 34%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (218 cases / 37%); unknown (36 cases / 6%)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 34
These live updates have now finished.
1:40pm - Here is the latest summary report of the outbreak:
1:35pm - He says when we are over the Omicron peak, we could still expect to see 3000-5000 cases per day in the coming months, potentially into winter.
1:30pm - Dr Bloomfield says he has sought advice on a fourth vaccine shot for vulnerable people and the elderly. It's also possible a fourth shot could be offered to health workers. He doesn't foresee it being offered to the general public.
If the decision was made to administered a fourth shot, that would likely happen ahead of winter and could happen alongside the flu shot.
1:25pm - The Green Party wants to see Kiwis receive more financial support as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic linger. Here's what the political party has to say:
The Green Party is calling on the Government to boost support directly to people so they are not put at greater risk by a change in COVID-19 protections, despite the pandemic continuing to take a toll on our communities and public health system.
"The pandemic is far from over, and people will continue to experience disruption. Guaranteeing a liveable income will ensure that whatever the pandemic brings, no one has to go through it while still trapped in poverty," says Ricardo Menéndez March, Green spokesperson for social development and employment.
"We know the April 1st benefit increases won't be enough to provide people with the adequate incomes they need to pay for rent or put food on the table. The Government should double the Winter Energy Payment this year, as it did in 2020, to boost incomes in the short-term.
"COVID-19 protection measures have played a vital role keeping us all safe; staying home has saved lives and protected people from long COVID. Now is not the time to relax these rules. Instead the Government's attention should be what it can do to support those most at risk - both so they can get through the current outbreak, but also any new variants.
"The inequality crisis in Aotearoa makes this all the more urgent. It is people on the lowest incomes who are likely to be the most affected by a change in the COVID-19 protection settings. Action must be urgently taken to ensure everyone has what they need to get and stay well.
"Evidence shows us that rest and recuperation is key to protecting against long COVID. But the current Care in the Community model is far from sufficient to meet the extent of the Omicron outbreak.
"What people need is unconditional financial support so that whatever the pandemic brings they can live with dignity, put a roof over their heads and food on the table. There also needs to be an immediate increase in the amount people are entitled to as a hardship grant from WINZ before they have to prove 'exceptional circumstances'.
"The Green Party wants to see any change in protection settings matched with a clear plan to improve the long-term wellbeing of our communities so that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has what they need to provide for themselves and their whānau," Ricardo Menéndez March says.
Jan Logie, spokesperson for workplace safety and relations added: "The Government needs to commit to paying COVID leave support directly to workers who need to isolate, and to expanding the scheme for retaining long-term. It's vital that people keep their income while isolating so they can meet the needs of themselves and their whanau."
"Ensuring people have liveable incomes and are able to recover safely at home, will contribute to better public health outcomes in the long-term," says Menéndez March.
1:15pm - COVID-19 related deaths
Sadly, we are today reporting an additional 15 people have died.
These deaths take the total number of publicly reported COVID related deaths to 199 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths to 10.
Of these 15 people who have died, nine are from the Auckland region, three from Waikato, and three from the Wellington region
One of these people was in their 50s, three in their 60s, six in their 70s, and five were in their 80s.
Eight were men and seven were women.
Our thoughts and condolences are with their family and friends at this sad time.
Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.
Testing
Testing continues to play an important part in our response to COVID-19.
If you’re symptomatic, please stay at home and get a test.
If you’re unsure whether or not to get a test, please contact your health professional or Health on 0800 358 5453 and follow advice.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you are required to isolate for 7 days. You do not need to be retested after your initial positive result. You can return to work or school after your isolation period ends without another test, unless you work in a high risk workplace like a healthcare setting.
If you still have symptoms after 7 days, stay home until you feel better and then wait another 24 hours.
Your household contacts should also stay at home, have tests at day 3 and 7 or if they develop symptoms.
1:10pm - Here's the full Ministry of Health data:
Vaccinations administered in New Zealand
- Vaccines administered to date: 4,024,664 first doses; 3,972,259 second doses; 34,211 third primary doses; 2,556,753 booster doses: 257,186 paediatric first doses and 44,155 paediatric second doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 183 first doses; 322 second doses; 21 third primary doses; 3,763 booster doses; 198 paediatric first doses and 3,717 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated
- All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,053,907 first dose (96.3%); 4,000,867 second dose (95.1%), 2,555,907 boosted (72.8% of those eligible)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 520,019 first dose (91.1%); 502,059 second dose (87.9%), 225,850 boosted (58.6% of those eligible)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,308 first dose (98.1%); 276,080 second dose (96.3%), 134,624 boosted (59.5% of those eligible)
- 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 256,193 first dose (53.8%); 43,223 second dose (9.1%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 39,998 first dose (34.6%); 4,950 second dose (4.3%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,117 first dose (46.8%); 2,337 second dose (4.7%)
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 (69.6%)
- 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 (93.2%); 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 (69.3%)
- 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 (72.4%)
- Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.1%); boosted (70.2%)
- 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 (95.6%); boosted (77.1%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (75.9%)
- West Coast DHB: first dose (92.6%); second dose (91%); boosted (73.8%)
- Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.6%); second dose (98.7%); 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%)
*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 1016: Northland: 28; North Shore: 170; Middlemore: 227; Auckland: 210; Waikato: 79; Bay of Plenty: 39; Lakes: 10; Tairāwhiti: 4, Hawke’s Bay: 43; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 7; MidCentral: 19; Hutt Valley: 23; Capital and Coast: 45; Wairarapa: 8; Nelson Marlborough: 12; Canterbury: 56; South Canterbury: 2; Southern: 23
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 59
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 25
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (109 cases / 19%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (21 cases / 4%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (201 cases / 34%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (218 cases / 37%); unknown (36 cases / 6%)
*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, 15% 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: 17,020
- Number of new community cases: 20,907
- Number of new community cases (PCR): 231
- Number of new community cases (RAT): 20,676
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (802), Auckland (4,291), Waikato (1,882), Bay of Plenty (1,218), Lakes (594), Hawke’s Bay (1,243), MidCentral (954), Whanganui (399), Taranaki (636), Tairāwhiti (382), Wairarapa (323), Capital and Coast (1,377), Hutt Valley (808), Nelson Marlborough (683), Canterbury (3,488), South Canterbury (318), Southern (1,439), West Coast (50); Unknown (20)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 34
- Number of active community cases (total): 119,131 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 517,495
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): 2,007
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 43,768
- PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,546
- PCR Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 22/03/22): 16.2 million
1:05pm - Dr Bloomfield says case numbers have past their peak in metro-Auckland and are on their way down across all Auckland DHBs. There were 4291 cases in Auckland reported on Tuesday, about a third of what they were two weeks ago.
The increase in case numbers nationally is slowing, Dr Bloomfield says. Excluding Auckland, nationally case numbers climbed 1 percent in the week to March 20 compared to a 44 percent jump in the week to March 13.
The pattern does differ across DHBs, but cases appear to be peaking in Midlands and Wellington. They are increasing, however, in the South Island.
1pm - There are 20,907 new community cases, 1016 hospitalisations (25 of whom are in ICU) and 15 further deaths.
"We have seen an increase today in case numbers across most regions of New Zealand, however it’s not unexpected as we generally see lower testing and reporting over weekends," says the Ministry of Health.
"Getting boosted continues to be one of the most important ways people can protect themselves from Omicron and severe illness."
12:55pm - We've added the livestream to the video above so you should be able to see that shortly. Refresh the page if not.
12:50pm - Here's a summary of the outbreak including Monday's figures:
12:35pm - Patrick Gower has a "pretty simple" position on the current COVID measures: "Open this country the hell up and get a move on".
The Newshub National Correspondent was on AM on Tuesday morning saying Kiwis are no longer scanning QR codes and aren't being asked for vaccine passes.
12:30pm - Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live updates for Tuesday.
We will bring you a livestream at 1pm of Dr Ashley Bloomfield's press conference. He will provide the latest COVID-19 information. You'll soon be able to find that in the video above.
