New Zealand has reached the tragic milestone of 1000 people who have died with COVID-19 after the Ministry of Health revealed there were another 32 deaths with the virus on Wednesday.
The health ministry said COVID-19 cases dropped in New Zealand with 9570 new infections and 425 people in hospital.
There are currently nine people in ICU or HDU and the seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 8,024 – up from last Wednesday, when it was 7,533.
What you need to know:
- All of New Zealand is at the orange setting of the traffic light framework.
- New Zealand recorded 9570 new community cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
- Thirty-two additional deaths have been reported.
- There are 425 people in hospital, nine of whom are in the ICU.
- The locations of the new community cases are as follows: Northland (273), Auckland (3,297), Waikato (742), Bay of Plenty (307), Lakes (173), Hawke’s Bay (304), MidCentral (318), Whanganui (124), Taranaki (283), Tairāwhiti (82), Wairarapa (91), Capital and Coast (642), Hutt Valley (241), Nelson Marlborough (314), Canterbury (1,368), South Canterbury (155), Southern (737), West Coast (112), Unknown (7).
- Locations of hospitalisations: Northland: 13; Waitemata: 50; Counties Manukau: 38; Auckland: 113; Waikato: 25; Bay of Plenty: 11; Lakes: 5; Tairāwhiti: 2; Hawke’s Bay: 16; Taranaki: 10; Whanganui: 1; MidCentral: 20; Wairarapa: 0; Hutt Valley: 6; Capital and Coast: 20; Nelson Marlborough: 8; Canterbury: 49; South Canterbury: 8; West Coast: 2; Southern: 28.
These live updates are now over.
1:23pm - The Ministry of Health has provided a statement on the expedited the process for formally coding the cause of death:
Here is the full statement:
The Ministry of Health has expedited the process for formally coding the cause of death for those who are known to have died within 28 days of a COVID-19 infection or as a result of COVID-19 infection.
This means that most of the deaths that have now been publicly announced have been assessed as either having COVID-19 as the underlying cause, contributing to the death, or unrelated to the death.
As of this morning:
447 people have died with COVID-19 as the underlying cause of death. Of these, 439 died within 28 days of being reported as a case.
231 people have died with COVID-19 as a contributing cause of death. Of these, 229 died within 28 days of being reported as a case.
161 people, all of whom died within 28 days of being reported as a case, had a cause of death unrelated to COVID-19
138 people who died within 28 days of being reported as a case have yet to be classified. In some instances, the cause of death can take longer to determined, including if it is being investigated by a coroner.
Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one from COVID-19.
While there has been a significant increase in the number of deaths from COVID-19 since the start of the Omicron outbreak, New Zealand has still experienced significantly lower cumulative COVID-19 mortality than most countries.
These deaths are a sobering reminder that, while most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate illness, for some people it can lead to severe illness and even death. There are three actions everyone can do to help protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and potentially save lives.
Firstly – be up to date with vaccinations, including a booster if you’ve not yet had one.
Secondly – wear a mask. Masks are still required in many indoor settings. A good rule of thumb is to wear a mask in indoor public settings as we know that mask use halves the risk of spread of COVID-19.
And thirdly – stay home and avoid others if you’re unwell, isolating or waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test.
The Ministry of Health will continue to update information about deaths of people with COVID-19, including the cause of death, on its website at COVID-19: Case demographics.
1:14pm - 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: 4,027,069 first doses; 3,978,904 second doses; 32,175 third primary doses; 2,647,144 booster doses: 262,331 paediatric first doses and 121,234 paediatric second doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 40 first doses; 57 second doses; 27 third primary doses; 925 booster doses; 36 paediatric first doses and 170 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated
- All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,054,940 first dose (96.3%); 4,006,112 second dose (95.2%), 2,640,839 boosted (70.7% of those eligible)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 521,130 first dose (91.3%); 504,294 second dose (88.3%), 236,605 boosted (53.8% of those eligible)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,985 first dose (98.4%); 277,146 second dose (96.7%), 141,157 boosted (56.5% of those eligible)
- 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 259,363 first dose (54.5%); 118,307 second dose (24.8%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 40,904 first dose (35.4%); 13,633 second dose (11.8%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,584 first dose (47.7%); 6,961 second dose (14.1%)
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%); boosted (67.3%)
- Auckland DHB: first dose (99.1%); second dose (98.2%); boosted (73%)
- Counties Manukau DHB: first dose (96.2%); second dose (95%); boosted (65.7%)
- Waitemata DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (70.8%)
- Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (66.1%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (65.4%)
- Lakes DHB: first dose (93%); second dose (91.3%); boosted (65.6%)
- MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.1%); boosted (71.7%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93%); second dose (90.8%); boosted (65.3%)
- Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.4%); boosted (70.9%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97.3%); second dose (95.7%); boosted (69.2%)
- Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.2%); boosted (67.5%)
- Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95%); boosted (72.4%)
- Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.4%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (79.2%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (74.5%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (73%)
- West Coast DHB: first dose (92.6%); second dose (91.2%); boosted (71%)
- Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.8%); second dose (98.9%); boosted (74%)
- South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (74%)
- Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.5%); boosted (72.9%)
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 425: Northland: 13; Waitemata: 50; Counties Manukau: 38; Auckland: 113; Waikato: 25; Bay of Plenty: 11; Lakes: 5; Tairāwhiti: 2; Hawke’s Bay: 16; Taranaki: 10; Whanganui: 1; MidCentral: 20; Wairarapa: 0; Hutt Valley: 6; Capital and Coast: 20; Nelson Marlborough: 8; Canterbury: 49; South Canterbury: 8; West Coast: 2; Southern: 28
- *Average age of current hospitalisations: 60
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 9
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (28 cases / 11%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (8 cases / 3%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (63 cases / 26%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (148 cases / 60%)
* 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: 8,024
- Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 7,533
- Number of new community cases: 9,570
- Number of new community cases (PCR): 248
- Number of new community cases (RAT): 9,322
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (273), Auckland (3,297), Waikato (742), Bay of Plenty (307), Lakes (173), Hawke’s Bay (304), MidCentral (318), Whanganui (124), Taranaki (283), Tairāwhiti (82), Wairarapa (91), Capital and Coast (642), Hutt Valley (241), Nelson Marlborough (314), Canterbury (1,368), South Canterbury (155), Southern (737), West Coast (112), Unknown (7)
- Number of new imported cases: 91
- Number of active community cases (total): 56,146 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 1,066,062
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): 3,579
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 17,429
- PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,014
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 18 May 2022): 1.1 million
1:13pm - The ministry has provided an update on the Omicron outbreak:
Today we are reporting 9,570 community cases, 425 hospitalisations and 32 deaths.
The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 8,024 – last Wednesday it was 7,533.
Getting vaccinated and practicing good public health behaviours are two of the most effective ways to avoid getting COVID-19 this winter or minimise the impacts of the virus.
Stay home and avoid others if you’re unwell, isolating or awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
Masks are still required in many indoor settings. Wearing a mask halves the risk of spread of COVID-19 and so it is also encouraged in settings where social distancing isn’t practical. You must also wear a face mask on flights and public transport, and in taxi and ride-share services — unless you are exempt.
1:12pm - The Ministry of Health has provided an update on the COVID-19 related deaths:
Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 32 people with COVID-19. The total number of deaths is up by 31 from yesterday as we have removed a case which had been previous reported twice. This case was initially reported on 10 March.
The deaths being reported today include people who have died over the previous six weeks, since 5 April.
These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 1,017 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths is 17.
Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today; two people were from Northland; nine from the Auckland region; two from Bay of Plenty; two from Taranaki; one from Tairawhiti; four from MidCentral; two from Hawke’s Bay; three from the Wellington region; one from Nelson-Marlborough; four from Canterbury and two from Southern.
One person was in their 20s; four people were in their 40s; two in their 50s; four in their sixties; nine in their 70s; nine in their 80s and three were aged over 90.
Of these people, ten were women and twenty-two were men.
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 on these deaths.
We have today published an update on the reporting of COVID-19 deaths, which includes a breakdown of people who have died with COVID-19 as an underlying cause of death and those who have died with COVID-19 as a contributing cause of death.
1:10pm - COVID-19 deaths have reached the grim milestone of 1000 for the pandemic after the Ministry of Health revealed there were another 32 people who had died with the virus on Wednesday.
The health ministry said COVID-19 cases dropped in New Zealand with 9570 new infections and 425 people in hospital.
Of the new community cases, Northland (273), Auckland (3,297), Waikato (742), Bay of Plenty (307), Lakes (173), Hawke’s Bay (304), MidCentral (318), Whanganui (124), Taranaki (283), Tairāwhiti (82), Wairarapa (91), Capital and Coast (642), Hutt Valley (241), Nelson Marlborough (314), Canterbury (1,368), South Canterbury (155), Southern (737), West Coast (112), Unknown (7)
The ministry announced there are 425 people in hospital with nine in ICU or HDU.
Of the 425 people in hospital: Northland: 13; Waitemata: 50; Counties Manukau: 38; Auckland: 113; Waikato: 25; Bay of Plenty: 11; Lakes: 5; Tairāwhiti: 2; Hawke’s Bay: 16; Taranaki: 10; Whanganui: 1; MidCentral: 20; Wairarapa: 0; Hutt Valley: 6; Capital and Coast: 20; Nelson Marlborough: 8; Canterbury: 49; South Canterbury: 8; West Coast: 2; Southern: 28
There are 91 new COVID cases recorded at the border in Managed Isolation and Quarantine.
12:58pm - There is no press conference planned for Wednesday, so we are just waiting on a statement with all the data. We'll bring that to you the moment we get it.
12:56pm - COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Minister for COVID-19 Response Ayesha Verrall have provided a statement on stats released about deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is the full statement:
The Government has welcomed the release on Wednesday of StatsNZ data showing the rate at which New Zealanders died from all causes during the COVID-19 pandemic has been lower than expected.
The new StatsNZ figures provide a measure of the overall rate of deaths in New Zealand during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic years.
It's not a measure of people known to have died from COVID-19 and reflects all causes of deaths during this time.
Comparing the actual number of deaths in New Zealand since the start of the pandemic with the expected number of deaths during that period, based on earlier years' figures, shows fewer deaths than expected.
"We recognise the pain of losing a family member or friend, and do not wish to diminish that, but it is welcome that this data, which is the best measure we have to date, shows there was not a higher-than-normal death rate in New Zealand over the first two years of the pandemic," COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said.
"This reflected the benefits of our COVID-19 response in reducing exposure to the virus and protecting our more vulnerable New Zealanders and a decision to implement a nationwide response coordinated from the centre.
"Vaccination has played a key role, along with border and isolation measures, in keeping people safe from the more deadly variants of COVID-19 by keeping them out of the community or significantly limiting their spread."
"It also reflects our ability to continue to provide non COVID-19-related health services and procedures to the public, which many other countries had to severely curtail," Associate Minister for COVID-19 Response Dr Ayesha Verrall said.
"For instance, if New Zealand had a similar rate of COVID-19 mortality as the United States, we would be reporting approximately 15,000 deaths from COVID-19 today.
"Despite doing better than most countries, these deaths are a reminder that, while most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate illness, for some people it can lead to severe illness and even death. Being up to date with vaccinations, wearing a mask indoors and staying home if unwell can help protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and potentially save lives.
"Excess mortality contributes to our overall picture of the toll of the pandemic, including any changes in mortality that are directly or indirectly due to the pandemic."
The StatsNZ measures, in conjunction with previous research, indicate that:·
- In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, the proportion of people that died in New Zealand dropped for reasons including a reduction in accident-related deaths and the closed borders greatly reducing influenza and other respiratory in New Zealand in 2020.
- In 2021, the second year of the pandemic, the rate of deaths followed a similar pattern to that seen in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, though deaths from COVID-19 were low.
- In 2020 and 2021, the rate of deaths among people over-90-years-old, the population among the most at risk from COVID-19, remained the same or even lower than expected compared with most other countries. Again, this reflected the benefits of our COVID-19 response in reducing exposure to the virus and protecting our more vulnerable New Zealanders.
- Sadly, during the Omicron outbreak we have seen an increase in the rate of deaths among people over 90 compared to pre-pandemic years. However, to put these numbers in context, the mortality rate in the 90+ group in the last few weeks is still lower than the average pre-pandemic peak mortality for this age group that we normally see during the winter months.
- This measure provides a useful indication of the impact of COVID-19 on overall death rates but cannot by itself indicate how many people have died from COVID-19.
"An important distinction to make is that people can die with COVID-19 as the direct cause, or COVID-19 may be a contributing factor alongside other health conditions, or the cause of death may be unrelated to COVID-19, even if the person has returned a positive test recently," Dr Verrall said.
"The Ministry of Health released updated information on this topic this morning."
12:50pm - Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the COVID-19 outbreak for Wednesday.
