COVID-19 cases have slightly increased in New Zealand with 8609 new infections and 386 people in hospital, the Ministry of Health revealed.
A child is among the 20 deaths reported on Thursday, which included people who had died since April 24.
What you need to know:
- All of New Zealand is at orange in the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
- New Zealand recorded 8609 new community COVID cases on Thursday.
- Twenty additional deaths of people with COVID-19 were reported.
- There are 386 people in hospital, 14 of whom are in ICU.
- Location of community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (207), Auckland (2,796), Waikato (543), Bay of Plenty (237), Lakes (135), Hawke’s Bay (229), MidCentral (347), Whanganui (104), Taranaki (239), Tairāwhiti (68), Wairarapa (88), Capital and Coast (575), Hutt Valley (242), Nelson Marlborough (323), Canterbury (1,379), South Canterbury (114), Southern (900), West Coast (76), Unknown (7).
- Locations of hospitalisations: Northland: 10; Waitemata: 40; Counties Manukau: 30; Auckland: 78; Waikato: 32; Bay of Plenty: 22; Lakes: 3; Tairāwhiti: 0; Hawke’s Bay: 14; Taranaki: 7; Whanganui: 1; MidCentral: 15; Wairarapa: 2; Hutt Valley: 6; Capital and Coast: 10; Nelson Marlborough: 14; Canterbury: 68; South Canterbury: 3; West Coast: 1; Southern: 30.
These live updates are now over.
1:07pm - Here is the latest data from the Ministry of Health on the outbreak and vaccination campaign:
Northern region hospitalisation data
As indicated yesterday, from today reporting of hospitalisation numbers in Northern region hospitals will include only active COVID-19 cases. To date, reported case numbers in the Northern region have included people who have recovered from COVID-19 but remain in hospital.
The reporting of hospitalisations in other DHBs is unchanged as these already only include active cases.
This change sees the number of daily hospitalisations in the Northern region reduce. This change is part of ensuring nationally consistent reporting of this data.
Vaccinations administered in New Zealand
- Vaccines administered to date: 4,026,748 first doses; 3,978,222 second doses; 31,864 third primary doses; 2,634,272 booster doses: 261,728 paediatric first doses and 117,387 paediatric second doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 43 first doses; 82 second doses; 26 third primary doses; 1,083 booster doses; 34 paediatric first doses and 271 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated
- All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,056,064 first dose (96.4%); 4,006,918 second dose (95.2%), 2,629,766 boosted (70.9% of those eligible)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 521,068 first dose (91.2%); 504,116 second dose (88.3%), 235,014 boosted (54.4% of those eligible)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,952 first dose (98.4%); 277,078 second dose (96.7%), 140,137 boosted (56.8% of those eligible)
- 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 258,906 first dose (54.4%); 114,601 second dose (24.1%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 40,821 first dose (35.3%); 13,074 second dose (11.3%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,505 first dose (47.6%); 6,576 second dose (13.3%)
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 (88.1%); boosted (67.5%)
- Auckland DHB: first dose (99.2%); second dose (98.3%); boosted (72.9%)
- Counties Manukau DHB: first dose (96.2%); second dose (95%); boosted (65.8%)
- Waitemata DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (70.8%)
- Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (66.4%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (65.8%)
- Lakes DHB: first dose (93.1%); second dose (91.4%); boosted (66.1%)
- MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (72%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93.1%); second dose (90.9%); boosted (65.7%)
- Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.4%); boosted (71.3%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97.3%); second dose (95.7%); boosted (69.5%)
- Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.3%); boosted (67.9%)
- Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95%); boosted (72.8%)
- Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (79.3%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (74.8%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (73.2%)
- West Coast DHB: first dose (92.7%); second dose (91.3%); boosted (71.3%)
- Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.7%); second dose (98.9%); boosted (74.2%)
- South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.7%); second dose (93.7%); boosted (74.2%)
- Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.4%); boosted (73%)
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 or 16 and 17 year olds who have become eligible 6 months after having their second dose.
Hospitalisations
- Cases in hospital: total number 386: Northland: 10; Waitemata: 40; Counties Manukau: 30; Auckland: 78; Waikato: 32; Bay of Plenty: 22; Lakes: 3; Tairāwhiti: 0; Hawke’s Bay: 14; Taranaki: 7; Whanganui: 1; MidCentral: 15; Wairarapa: 2; Hutt Valley: 6; Capital and Coast: 10; Nelson Marlborough: 14; Canterbury: 68; South Canterbury: 3; West Coast: 1; Southern: 30
- *Average age of current hospitalisations: 58
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 14
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (36 cases / 15%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (5 cases / 2%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (72 cases / 31%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (117 cases / 50%); unknown (4 cases / 2%)
*Please note the average age of current hospitalisations is for the Northern Region admissions only at this stage. This data is recorded and extracted from the same source as the vaccination status of patients in Northern Region hospitals.
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 7,684
- Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 7,705
- Number of new community cases: 8,609
- Number of new community cases (PCR): 308
- Number of new community cases (RAT): 8,301
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (207), Auckland (2,796), Waikato (543), Bay of Plenty (237), Lakes (135), Hawke’s Bay (229), MidCentral (347), Whanganui (104), Taranaki (239), Tairāwhiti (68), Wairarapa (88), Capital and Coast (575), Hutt Valley (242), Nelson Marlborough (323), Canterbury (1,379), South Canterbury (114), Southern (900), West Coast (76), Unknown (7)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 97
- Number of active community cases (total): 53,775 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 966,447
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): 4,311
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 16,107
- PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,463
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 5 May 2022): 1.7 million
1:06pm - The ministry has provided an update on the Omicron outbreak:
Today we are reporting 8,609 community cases, 386 hospitalisations and 20 deaths.
Today’s seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 7,684 – last Thursday it was 7,705 .
The number of community cases today is an important reminder that we all continue to have a part to play in minimising the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Please continue to follow public health advice to stay at home, away from school or work if you’re feeling unwell.
Another way to protect you, your whānau and friends is to get vaccinated, if you aren’t already. It’s free and available for everyone aged five and over.
Vaccination remains our best defence against COVID-19 and a booster – in addition to first and second doses – gives you greater immunity against Omicron and severe illness. There’s a much lower risk of being hospitalised if you’re up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
So, if you or your whānau are due for a COVID-19 vaccination – whether it be a first or second dose or a booster – please, make an appointment today.
1:03pm - The Ministry of Health has provided an update on the COVID-19 related deaths:
Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 20 people with COVID-19. The deaths being reported today include 18 people who have died over the past five days and an additional two people who have died since 24 April.
Delays to reporting can be associated with people dying with COVID-19, rather than from COVID-19, and COVID being discovered only after they have died.
These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 821 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths is 14.
Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today; three people were from Auckland; one from Waikato; five from Bay of Plenty; two from Hawke’s Bay; one from the Greater Wellington region; one from Nelson-Malborough, five from Canterbury and two from Southern.
One person was under-10; one in their 50s, five in their 60s; two in their 70s; seven in their 80s and four were aged over 90.
Of these people, 12 were female and eight were male.
This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this time.
Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.
1:01pm - COVID-19 cases have slightly increased in New Zealand with 8609 new infections and 386 people in hospital, the Ministry of Health revealed
The health ministry also said 20 people have died with COVID-19 on Thursday taking the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 821 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths is 14.
Of the new community cases, Northland (207), Auckland (2,796), Waikato (543), Bay of Plenty (237), Lakes (135), Hawke’s Bay (229), MidCentral (347), Whanganui (104), Taranaki (239), Tairāwhiti (68), Wairarapa (88), Capital and Coast (575), Hutt Valley (242), Nelson Marlborough (323), Canterbury (1,379), South Canterbury (114), Southern (900), West Coast (76), Unknown (7).
The ministry announced there are 386 people in hospital with 14 in ICU or HDU.
Of the 386 people in hospital: Northland: 10; Waitemata: 40; Counties Manukau: 30; Auckland: 78; Waikato: 32; Bay of Plenty: 22; Lakes: 3; Tairāwhiti: 0; Hawke’s Bay: 14; Taranaki: 7; Whanganui: 1; MidCentral: 15; Wairarapa: 2; Hutt Valley: 6; Capital and Coast: 10; Nelson Marlborough: 14; Canterbury: 68; South Canterbury: 3; West Coast: 1; Southern: 30.
There are 97 new COVID cases recorded at the border in Managed Isolation and Quarantine.
12:55pm - There is no press conference planned for Thursday, so we are just waiting on a statement with all the data. We'll bring that to you the moment we get it.
12:50pm - The Ministry of Health has announced children aged 5 to 11 who are severely immunocompromised can receive a third primary dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Here is the announcement from the Ministry of Health:
People who are severely immunocompromised are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 and might not produce a sufficiently strong immune response after two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
A third primary dose offers extra protection and may help reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus to others.
The third primary dose for children is optional but has been recommended by the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group.
Because there are specific criteria for children to qualify for a third primary dose, it’s recommended that parents or guardians schedule an appointment with their health care professional who has access to the child’s medical records to confirm eligibility. Appointments to discuss eligibility are free.
A prescription must also be provided by a GP or nurse practitioner before severely immunocompromised children can be given a third primary dose – with prescriptions able to be taken to any vaccination site.
Your child may also be able to receive the third primary dose at the same time as their consultation, but please check with your prescriber to see if they offer the child Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The third primary dose should be given 8 weeks after the second dose but may be given after 4 weeks depending on current or planned immunosuppressive therapies. Talk to your child’s GP or specialist for advice on timing.
It is strongly encouraged that all household contacts of someone who is severely immunocompromised (regardless of their age) are up to date with their recommended COVID-19 vaccines to help provide indirect protection.
A third primary dose is also being offered to severely immunocompromised children in this age group overseas, including in Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
You can find more information at COVID-19 vaccine: Severely immunocompromised people.
12:45pm - Here's the most recent information provided by the Ministry of Health about what the COVID-19 situation looked like after Wednesday's figures:
12:35pm - Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the COVID-19 outbreak for Thursday.
