"Sobering but not unexpected." That is how health officials are describing today's 71 new Covid-19 community cases.
But there is a warning those numbers will get worse. A big part of the problem is said to be rule-breakers, including people illegally gathering in large numbers in private houses. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson urged Aucklanders to stick to the rules.
According to modellers, daily Covid cases are doubling every twelve days, meaning triple digit daily case numbers could be just around the corner.
The government is planning for more than 5000 cases a week north of the Bombay Hills from next year.
That is based on rates of full vaccination at 90 percent.
RNZ political reporter Charlie Dreaver filed this report.
