As Covid-19 spreads around the world, it can be daunting keeping up with the information. For RNZ, our responsibility is to give you verified, up to the minute, trustworthy information to help you make decisions about your lives and your health. We'll also be asking questions of officials and decision makers about how they're responding to the virus. Our aim is to keep you informed.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirmed there are 82 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, 52 confirmed and 30 probable, bringing the total to 950.
Watch today's media conference:
There are ten in hospital around the country and one in ICU at Wellington Regional Hospital, Bloomfield said.
Dr Bloomfield said yesterday was highest single day of testing at 3631, bringing total tests to 33,116. There is now testing capacity for 6000 per day.
He said the number of new cases appears to be levelling off now.
"That's good, it's encouraging but I would want to see probably another two or three days before we would start to know is that definitely a flattening off and then if it was confirmed we would expect then in the coming days that the number of new cases each day would continue to drop."
Dr Bloomfield said the Health Ministry is becoming increasingly confident that the lockdown is working.
There remains a strong link to to overseas travel, but 17 percent of cases are still being investigated for community transmission, he said.
The three biggest clusters are Marist College in Auckland with 60 cases, Bluff with 55 cases and Matamata with 54 cases.
- If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre
Dr Bloomfield said the government is likely to make a decision on whether to extend the lockdown period next week.
Fever is no longer a requirement to be tested for Covid-19, testing is now available for people with respiratory problems, regardless of contact with overseas travel.
New Zealand is now in its ninth day of Level 4 alert which is a full lockdown that will last for at least four weeks, with only essential services operating.
The government is encouraging people to stay at home and if they do go out for exercise or to shop to keep their distance from others.
Read more about the Covid-19 coronavirus:
- See all RNZ Covid-19 news
- A timeline: How the coronavirus started, spread and stalled life in New Zealand
- Covid-19 symptoms: What they are and how they make you feel
- Touching your Face: Why do we do it and how to stop
- Scientific hand-washing advice to avoid infection
- Coronavirus: A glossary of terms
- The Coronavirus Podcast