New Covid-19 cases have emerged outside the alert level 3 border in Waikato, restrictions eased in Auckland and the government announced a national day of action for vaccinations. Here's a summary of what happened on 6 October.
Clockwise, from top left: Close to 6000 people have been vaccinated at an event for Pasifika; Aucklanders enjoyed some new freedoms; The Māori Women's Welfare League helps with the vaccination drive in Taranaki; Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins at today's press conference Photo: RNZ/ POOL
Thirty-nine new Covid-19 cases were reported in New Zealand today, including nine in Waikato. Just one is unlinked to other cases.
Ministry of Health also confirmed a man in his 50s died from the virus. The man had underlying health issues and had been in intensive care at Middlemore Hospital since 27 August.
He's the 28th person to have died from coronavirus in New Zealand since the pandemic began.
There have now been 1420 cases in the current community outbreak. Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay said there were 12 active cases and its estimated there could be another 36 cases in household contacts in coming days.
There are 32 people in hospital with Covid-19, seven of whom are in ICU.
As well as the new cases in Waikato, a person tested in Whangārei has returned a weak positive for Covid-19. Northland District Health Board says a repeat test has been organised.
Meanwhile, Aucklanders enjoyed their first day of step 1 of a new three-stage roadmap to easing restrictions.
Today's Covid-19 numbers. Sadly, another death today. https://t.co/LfA3tpPMXl pic.twitter.com/OlezaDUicq
— Farah (@KiwiFarah) October 6, 2021
New cases in Waikato
Two of today's cases in Waikato reside outside the alert level 3 boundary, in Karapiro near Cambridge and in Kāwhia.
There are five pop up testing sites operating in Hamilton, Raglan, Huntly and Tokoroa, while one is being established in Karapiro and the existing testing provider in Kawhia has been expanded.
Waikato DHB said today that a patient who visited its ED last Friday night has now tested positive. They were asymptomatic at the time and correctly screened, but 50 ED staff have been stood down as a precaution. Most can return after a negative test result. Public health staff are investigating.
New locations of interest in Waikato and Auckland have been added to the ministry's list.
A mass vaccination event has dished out nearly 6000 vaccines to Pasifika in Auckland within almost a week Photo: South Seas Healthcare
Massive vaccine event planned
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced a "national day for vaccination" in an attempt to drive up vaccination rates.
Hipkins said everyone had a role to to play in getting vaccination rates up, and he wanted those already vaccinated to help those who have not been get a dose.
"This will culminate in a national day for vaccination on Saturday 16 October, super Saturday. On that day, we will have vaccine clinics open all through Aotearoa all day and into the evening and a bit like election day, we will be asking all our civic and political leaders to contribute to a big effort to turn people out."
A website will be going live later today with information about the Saturday event.
"My request to everybody is this: Pitch in and get this done."
Meanwhile, Māori Women's Welfare League are helping ramp up efforts to boost the Māori vaccination rate in Taranaki, and a mass vaccination event for Pasifika at Auckland's Vodafone Events Centre has been extended into a fifth day due to high demand.
Only just opened an hour already 500 cars through. Over 6000 vaccinated so far for day 5. It’s going crazy!!! Yuuuusssss people come through to Vodafone mass vaccination event but great south road clogged so come through manurewa pic.twitter.com/vKqMYEsdLY
— Jo Bartley (@jobartleynz) October 5, 2021
In other vaccination news, Ministry of Health is now advising people to consider a shorter gap between vaccine doses than the currently recommended six weeks.
The gap between doses was extended from three to six weeks in August to allow for everyone to get their first dose, but with the threat of Delta, the ministry wants people to have a shorter gap between doses.
Waiheke border granted
Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier islands will be out of bounds for Aucklanders wanting to get out of the city under eased lockdown restrictions.
The government has granted a health order meaning only residents or those with essential reasons will be able to travel there.
Local residents had expressed concern that large numbers of visitors would head to the islands, where there are limited medical resources.
Police will be at the Auckland ferry terminals monitoring the border, with the Maritime Unit also out on the harbour.
Parliament visitors must be vaccinated
Visitors to Parliament will need to present a Covid-19 vaccine certificate to enter the precinct from the start of the next year.
This will include people from ministries, departments and the public.
Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard has also outlined a way for MPs stuck in level 3 in Auckland or Waikato to return to Parliament.
MPs are essential workers, so will be allowed to travel back to the Capital.
Mallard said MPs will need to test negative before travelling, isolate for five days in Wellington and then test negative again before returning to the precinct.
If someone doesn't follow these rules when travelling to the Capital, Mallard said the precinct may have to operate under level 3 restrictions.
More charges laid following anti-lockdown protest
Another man has been charged after an anti-lockdown protest in Auckland Domain on the weekend.
A 57-year-old will appear alongside Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, who revealed last night he had been charged over the event, which attracted about 1000 protesters.
Police say the pair will be charged under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act and alert level 3 order and are due to appear in court next Tuesday.
