There are 306 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today – a new record high – with 216 cases in Auckland alone.

Coronavirus particle, illustration. Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2.Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LI / DDJ / Science Photo Library via AFP

 

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new community cases were in Northland (12), Auckland (216), Waikato (48), Tairāwhiti (4), Bay of Plenty (7), Lakes (6), MidCentral (2), Taranaki (5), Hutt Valley (3) and Capital and Coast (3).

There are 12 cases in hospital in Auckland, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch. None of them in ICU

The Ministry said there were 30 cases in MIQ, with travellers arriving from UAE, Australia, Fiji, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Qatar.

There were 204 community cases reported in New Zealand yesterday.

There has now been a total of 18,460 cases of Covid-19 in the community.

There were 56,257 vaccine booster doses given yesterday, as well as 782 first doses; 1568 second doses and 1941 paediatric doses.

Earlier today, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said he was notified about the possibility of a case in Queenstown late last night but it was confirmed this morning.

Anyone who caught flight NZ614 Queenstown to Auckland on Sunday at 9.19am is considered a close contact of the case.

Close contacts are urged to self-isolate, test immediately and on day five after exposure.

Queenstown Airport in Frankton has been listed as a location of interest for Sunday from 8.45am to 9.15am.

And in the North Island, two Ilminister Intermediate students in Gisborne have also tested positive to the virus.

Two Super Rugby Pacific teams are also isolating in Queenstowndue to Covid-19 close contact protocols.

Meanwhile, a public health expert has warned that a protest on Parliament grounds, which has gone into its third day, may risk becoming a superspreader event.