There are 126 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and 79 at the border, the Ministry of Health is reporting today.
Photo: 123RF
It comes as Cabinet prepares to discuss the reopening of New Zealand's borders.
Today's new community cases are in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough, and Canterbury.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said eight people are in hospital with the virus - five in Middlemore, and one each in North Shore, Auckland and Waikato hospitals. No one is in ICU or HDU.
"In addition, due to the ministry's daily cut-off period for reporting, we are also announcing out-of-cycle cases for Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Canterbury."
It comes amid confirmation there are three Omicron infections in Hāwera, according to Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
3 cases omicron confirmed today in Hāwera total 4, advised due to @AshBloomfield MoH cut off timeline rest of country won’t get told about until tomorrow. We on the ground knew about it yday ♀️ we need real time info so vulnerable communities mobilise to get tested asap
— Debbie Ngarewa-Packer MP (@whaeadeb) January 31, 2022
The average age of current hospitalisations is 55.
The ministry said the number of active cases being managed is 9280 - 77 percent have received an outbound call from contact tracers.
On vaccinations, 96 percent of people have had their first dose, 94 percent have had their second and 68 percent have had their booster.
The ministry said there were 22,508 booster doses administered yesterday, taking the total to date to 1,324,160.
"With Omicron in New Zealand, the best thing you can do is get your booster as soon as it is due," the ministry said.
"Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. Being boosted also helps slow the spread of the virus. If you're over 18 and your booster is due, please get it now. Evidence to date is that the rate of adverse reactions to a booster dose is similar to people receiving their second dose."
There were no unusual wastewater detections reported today.
In a statement yesterday the Ministry of Health said because the Omicron variant was now the dominant variant of Covid-19, the specific variant of the virus was no longer being reported alongside case numbers.
It said the most common early symptoms of Omicron were a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose.
Yesterday, 91 new cases in the community were reported, and on Sunday there were 103 new cases, and one death.
Later this afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson will speak at the post-Cabinet press conference at 4pm.
