There are 146 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today.
(File image) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Today's cases include 124 in Auckland, 14 in Waikato, four in Bay of Plenty and one in the Nelson/Tasman region who was reported yesterday but officially added to the tally today.
There is an emerging cluster of cases in the Bay of Plenty, at Te Akau ki Papamoa School - five people connected to the school have now tested positive.
The new case in Nelson isn't linked to existing cases in the area and the public health unit is investigating a possible source of infection.
There are now four active cases in Nelson and anyone with symptoms is being urged to get tested.
Genome sequencing is under way to work out how the first case announced earlier this week is linked to the wider Delta outbreak.
There is also a new case of Covid-19 in Manawatū however this was reported to the ministry after the cut-off time for reporting and will be officially added to the case numbers tomorrow.
Interviews are under way with the person, who's understood to live in Waikato and work in Manawatū.
Any locations of interest will be added to the ministry's list later today and anyone with symptoms is urged to get tested.
The 14 new cases in Waikato include seven in Te Kūiti, two in Huntly, two in Ōtorohanga, one in Hamilton, one in Ngāruawāhia, and one location under investigation. Six cases have been linked to previous cases.
The Ministry of Health said there are 83 cases in hospital, including nine in intensive care. Two are in Waikato and the rest in Tamaki Makaurau. Five of the Auckland cases are in ED or assessment units.
It said 70 percent of people in hospital are unvaccinated or not eligible and the average age is 46.
The ministry said 73 of today's new cases are yet to be linked to other cases.
There are also three cases in MIQ recent returnees.
There have now been 8574 cases in the current community outbreak and 11,353 confirmed cases since the pandemic began.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said modelling this morning shows hospitalisation and ICU bed usage had levelled off in Auckland.
In the Auckland District Health Board area, about 96 percent of eligible people have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
There were 41,077 vaccine doses given yesterday - 7432 first doses and 14,223 second doses. The ministry said 93 percent of eligible people in New Zealand have had their first dose and 86 percent are fully vaccinated.
The ministry said 2.8 million vaccine passes have now been issued.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said for about 90 percent of people the online portal has proved fastest, "but you can also get your vaccine pass at one of the 400 vaccinating pharmacies".