There have been 74 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today - 68 in Auckland and six in Waikato.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Of the new cases, 31 remain unlinked.
All of the six cases in Waikato are in Hamilton, all are close contacts and one had already been in isolation. Alert level 3 restrictions are set to ease in Waikato tonight.
The two close contacts of the person from Tokoroa who went to Blenheim and tested positive have returned negative tests so far.
There are 41 people in hospital, with five in intensive care. All are in Auckland and the average age of those in hospital is 43.
At today's media briefing, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirmed that home isolation was now being used in Auckland.
Yesterday, there were 79 new community cases. Only 19 of yesterday's cases remain unlinked.
There were also four new cases reported at the border.
There have now been 2832 cases in the current outbreak and 5539 since the pandemic began.
The Health Ministry said 42,136 doses were given yesterday - 10,872 first doses and 31,264 second doses.
Earlier today, National Party leader Judith Collins said at 90 percent vaccination nationwide, vaccine mandates should be dropped but passports retained.
Meanwhile, a government announcement about changes to the managed isolation and quarantine system, which was due today, will now happen later in week - most likely tomorrow.