This website is intended for a NZ health professional readership
29 December
2019 Chinese authorities advise the WHO of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause, originating in Wuhan, Hubei province
7 January 2020
China isolates a novel coronavirus, at first called 2019-nCoV and later SARS-CoV-2
13 January
First lab-confirmed case outside China identified, in Thailand
30 January
WHO declares the epidemic a global health emergency
3 February
New Zealand temporarily bans entry of foreigners from, or who have travelled through, mainland China
3 February
Homecoming New Zealanders are exempt but must self-isolate for a fortnight
3-4 February
Government-chartered plane flies to evacuate New Zealanders from Wuhan
7 February
Ministry asks arrivals from or via China to register their 14-day self-isolation with Healthline
12 February
Disease renamed COVID-19
14 February
In New South Wales, GPs told to consider COVID-19 testing of symptomatic travellers arriving from five Asian countries other than mainland China
17 February
WHO says COVID-19 not as deadly as SARS or MERS
19 February
The 157 people evacuated to New Zealand from Wuhan are discharged from quarantine in north Auckland
20 February
Six New Zealanders enter the quarantine facility after being evacuated to New Zealand by air from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Four New Zealanders from the ship were admitted to hospital in Japan with the virus
25 February
Daily tally of new cases outside China exceeds new cases in China for the first time
28 February
New Zealand's first confirmed case reported to Ministry of Health
28 February
Entry ban on foreigners from/via China extended to Iran. Returning New Zealanders exempt but must self-isolate
2 March
People arriving from northern Italy and South Korea must self-isolate for 14 days
2 March
Today's 24-hour tally of new cases nearly eight times higher outside mainland China than inside
3 March
WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference postponed. It was to have been held in Auckland in April
4 March
New Zealand's second confirmed case announced
5 March
Third confirmed case announced
6 March
Fourth confirmed case announced
7 March
Fifth confirmed case announced
11 March
WHO declares the outbreak a pandemic
11 March
Donald Trump announces suspension of travel from most European countries to US for 30 days from 13 March
14 March
New Zealand's sixth confirmed case announced
14-15 March
Case definition and access to testing widened
15 March
Announcement of seventh and eighth confirmed cases, in Wellington and Queenstown, the first two to occur outside Auckland
16 March
All passengers arriving in New Zealand, except those arriving from 17 Pacific island countries/territories, will have to self-isolate for 14 days
16 March
Government bans non-essential outdoor gatherings of 500-plus people; schools and universities exempt
17 March
Government announces $500 million in funding for health services to combat the disease, as part of $12.1 billion COVID-19 economic package
17 March
Four new cases announced. The totals now are 12 confirmed and two probable cases
18 March
Eight new cases announced - four in Auckland one in Christchurch, two in Waikato and one in Invercargill. The total is 20 confirmed; two probable
19 March
Eight new cases announced - two in Southern DHB area, two in Taranaki, one in Rotoura, two in Auckland and one in Northland. National total now 28
19 March
Government bans indoor events with more than 100 people; exemptions for workplaces, schools, supermarkets and public transport
19 March
Government advises New Zealanders not to travel overseas and urges New Zealanders who are travelling overseas to consider returning home immediately
20 March
Border closed to most foreigners. Exempted categories include essential health workers
20 March
Eleven new cases announced - five are in Auckland, two in Waikato, two in Wellington region, one in Canterbury and one in Hawke's Bay. Total is now 39 confirmed cases
21 March
Thirteen new cases announced. Total is now 52 confirmed cases and four probable cases
21 March
Alert level system announced. New Zealand is at Level 2
22 March
Fourteen new cases announced. Total now 66 confirmed cases and four probable cases
23 March
Thirty-six new cases announced. Total now 102 confirmed cases and four probable cases. Two cases of likely community spread, in Auckland and Wairarapa
23 March
Government lifts country to Alert Level 3 and announces widespread restrictions on movement will come into effect at 11.59pm on 25 March under Alert Level 4
24 March
Forty new confirmed cases announced, and three new probable cases. Ministry of Health starts announcing cumulative total of confirmed and probable cases as a combined tally, which now stands at 155
25 March
Fifty new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total is now 205
26 March
Seventy-eight new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 283
26 March
Case definition clarified in Auckland to include "justifiable clinical judgement"
27 March
Eighty-five new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 368
28 March
Eighty-three new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 451
29 March
New Zealand's first COVID-19 death - a woman in her 70s in hospital on the West Coast. Sixty-three new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 514
30 March
Seventy-six new confirmed cases, one of which was reclassified from probably. Combined total 589
31 March
Fifty-eight new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 647. Case definition widened: recent overseas travel/case contact dropped
1 April
Sixty-one new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 708
2 April
Eighty-nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 797
3 April
Seventy-one new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 868
4 April
Eight-two new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 950
5 April
Eighty-nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 1039
6 April
Sixty-seven new confirmed or probabe cases. Combined total 1106
7 April
Fifty-four new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 1160
8 April
Fifty new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 1210
9 April
Twenty-nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 1239
10 April
Second New Zealand death reported, a woman in her 90s who died at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch on 9 April. Forty-four new comfirmed or probable cases. Combined total 1283
11 April
Two new deaths, bringing the total of deaths to four. Twenty-nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total 1312
12 April
Eighteen new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1330
13 April
One new death. Deaths total: five. Nineteen new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1349
14 April
Four new deaths. Deaths total: nine. Seventeen new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1366
15 April
Deaths total remains nine. Twenty new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1386
16 April
Fifteen new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1401
17 April
Eight new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1409
18 April
Thirteen new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1422
19 April
One new death reported. Total deaths: 12. Nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1431
20 April
Nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined case total: 1440
21 April
One new death. Total deaths: 13. Nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1445
22 April
One new death. Total deaths: 14. Six new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1451. However, three of these cases were removed, pending further inquiries, on 23 April, because they may have been counted in reporting to the WHO by Uruguay, from where these three people returned to New Zealand. Revised case total: 1448
23 April
Two new deaths. Total deaths: 16. Three new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1451
24 April
One new death. Total deaths: 17. Five new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1456
25 April
One new death. Total deaths: 18. Five new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1461
26 April
Nine new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1470
27 April
One new death. Total deaths: 19. Five new confirmed or probable cases, and six probable cases reclassified as not a case or under investigation. Combined total down one to 1469. Alert Level reduced from 4 to 3 at 11.59pm
28 April
Three new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total: 1472
29 April
Two new confirmed or probable cases, and one probable case reclassified as confirmed. Combined total: 1474
30 April
Three new confirmed cases, and one probable case reclassified as not a case. Combined total: 1476
1 May
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1479
2 May
One new death. Total deaths: 20. Six new confirmed or probable cases. Combined total of cases: 1485
3 May
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1487
4 May
No new cases. One probable case reclassified as a confirmed case. Combined total remains 1487
5 May
No new cases. One previously reported probable case reclassified as not a case. Combined total confirmed/probable down one to 1486
6 May
One new confirmed case and one new probable case. Combined total: 1488
7 May
One new confirmed case. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1489
8 May
One new confirmed case. One probable case reclassified as confirmed. Combined total: 1490
9 May
One new confirmed and one new probable case. Combined total: 1492
10 May
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1494
11 May
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1497
12 May
No new cases. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1497
13 May
No new cases. In stages over the coming days, New Zealand moves from Alert Level 3 to 2 from 11.59pm
14 May
No new cases
15 May
One new confirmed case. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1498
16 May
No new cases
17 May
One new confirmed case. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1499
18 May
No new cases
19 May
No new cases, but four confirmed cases are added to the total who tested positive in Uruguay before returning to New Zealand in April. Uruguay did not report those cases to the WHO. Combined New Zealand total of confirmed and probable cases: 1503
20 May
No new cases
21 May
No new cases
22 May
One new case. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1504
23-27 May
No new cases
28 May
One new death, bringing the death toll to 22. No new cases
29 May - 7 June
No new cases
8 June
New Zealand now has no active cases. The last remaining case has been symptom-free for 48 hours, is regarded as recovered and has been released from isolation.
8 June
New Zealand steps down to Alert Level 1 from 11.59pm
16 June
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1506
18 June
One new confirmed case. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1507
20 June
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1509
21 June
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1511
22 June
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1513
23 June
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1515
24 June
One new confirmed case. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1516
25 June
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total of confirmed and probable cases: 1519
26 June
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1520
27 June
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1522
28 June
Four new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1526
29 June
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1528. New Zealand has 22 active cases, all recently returned from overseas
2 July
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1530. Health minister David Clark resigns; replaced by Chris Hipkins
3 July
Details of a number of COVID-19 cases are leaked by Michelle Boag to National MP Hamish Walker, who leaks them to media; he later says he will not seek re-election
5 July
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1533
6 July
1 New confirmed case. Combined total: 1534
7 July
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1536
8 July
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1537. A man absconds from managed isolation in Auckland for more than an hour and tests positive
9 July
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1540
10 July
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1542
11 July
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1543
12 July
One new confirmed ase: Combined total: 1544
14 July
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1545
15 July
Two new confirmed cases: Combined total: 1547
16 July
One new confirmed case: Combined total: 1548
17 July
One new confirmed case: Combined total: 1549
18 July
One new confirmed case: Combined total: 1550
19 July
Three new confirmed cases: Combined total: 1553
20 July
One new confirmed case: Combined total: 1554
21 July
ONe new confirmed case: Combined total: 1555
24 July
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1556
24 July
Five people abscond from a managed isolation facility, making a total of eight who have done so
28 July
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1557
29 July
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1559
30 July
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1560
1 August
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1562
2 August
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1565
3 August
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1567
5 August
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1569
11 August
Five new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1574. Four of the new cases are in the community, in Auckland, and do not have a known source. It has been 102 days since the last case that was acquired locally from an unknown source.
12 August
Auckland goes into Alert Level 3 lockdown from midday, until midnight on 14 August. The rest of New Zealand goes into level 2 for that period.
12 August
One new confirmed case in managed isolation, and four new probable cases in the Auckland community outbreak. Combined total: 1579
13 August
Fourteen new confirmed cases and four probable cases reclassified. Combined total: 1589
14 August
Twelve new confirmed cases and one probable case. Combined total: 1602. Current alert levels to be extended
15 August
Seven new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1609
16 August
Thirteen new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1622
17 August
Nine new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1631
18 August
Thirteen new confirmed cases and one probable case reclassified as under investigation. Combined total: 1643
19 August
Six new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1649
20 August
Five new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1654
21 August
Eleven new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1665
22 August
Six new confirmed cases. Combined total 1671
23 August
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1674
24 August
Eight new confirmed and one new probable case. Combined total: 1683
25 August
Seven new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1690
26 August
Five new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1695
27 August
Seven new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1702
28 August
Twelve new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1714
29 August
Thirteen new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1727
30 August
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1729. Auckland steps down to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm, informally called "level 2.5" because of smaller permitted gathering sizes than the rest of the country
31 August
Nine new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1738
1 September
Fourteen new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1752
2 September
Five new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1757
3 September
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1759
4 September
One death, bringing the total number of deaths to 23. Five new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1764
5 September
One new death, bringing the total number of deaths to 24. Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1767
6 September
Five new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1772
7 September
Four new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1776
8 September
Six new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1782
9 September
Six new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1788
10 September
Four new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1792
11 September
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1793
12 September
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1795
13 September
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1797
14 September
One new confirmed case. Combined total: 1798
15 September
Three new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1801
16 September
One new death, bringing the total number of deaths to 25. One new confirmed case. Combined total of cases: 1802
17 September
Seven new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1809
19 September
Two new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1811
20 September
Four new confirmed cases. Combined total: 1815
21 September
New Zealand, except Auckland, moves to Alert Level 1 at 11.59pm
2021
13 February
One new death, in North Shore Hospital yesterday following their being transferred from managed isolation, bringing the number of deaths to 26.
14 February
Auckland put into Alert Level 3 lockdown at 11.59pm and the rest of the country is raised to level 2 - initially for three days - after three cases are detected in the community in south Auckland. They are a Papatoetoe High School student and her parents. Also, one new case in managed isolation
15 February
Five new cases in managed isolation, one of which is an historical case. The first two Papatoetoe-related cases, reported yesterday, are the UK variant
17 February
Two new cases in the community, both linked to the 14 February cluster. New Zealand has had 2340 cases (combined total of confirmed and probable), including 26 deaths
17 February
A third new community case reported for the day, making six in total so far in the south Auckland cluster; and one case in managed isolation
18 February
Auckland drops to Alert Level 2, from 3 (with specific restrictions for the Papatoetoe High School community until 22 February), and the rest of the country to level 1, from 2
18 February
Three new cases in managed isolation
19 February
One new case, making seven in the Papatoetoe-related cluster; and three in managed isolation, one of which is historical
19 February
New Zealand's first vaccination against COVID-19, using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Comirnaty. Vaccinators are the first recipients
20 February
Two new cases in managed isolation
20 February
Vaccination of border workers begins
21 February
One new case in managed isolation
22 February
One new community case, in the Papatoetoe-related cluster; and six new cases in managed isolation, four of which are historical
23 February
Three new cases in the Papatoetoe-related cluster (now 11 in total), and five in managed isolation. Auckland (except Papatoetoe High School community) drops to level 1
24 February
Two new cases in managed isolation
25 February
Three new cases in managed isolation
26 February
Two new cases in managed isolation; and one new case in the Papatoetoe-related cluster (now 12 in total)
27 February
One new case in managed isolation; and two new cases in the Papatoetoe-related cluster (now 14 in total)
28 February
Two new cases in managed isolation; one new case in the Papatoetoe-related cluster (now 15 in total). Auckland goes into level 3 lockdown at 6am, level 2 elsewhere
1 March
One new case in managed isolation
2 March
Four new cases in managed isolation
3 March
Two new cases in managed isolation
4 March
Six new cases in managed isolation
6 March
Nine new cases in managed isolation
7 March
At 6am, Auckland drops to level 2, from 3, and the rest of the country to level 1, from 2
7 March
One new case in managed isolation and one border-related case, an airline crew member who had been in the Auckland community before testing positive
8 March
Five new cases in managed isolation
9 March
Four new cases in managed isolation, one of which is historical
10 March
One new case in managed isolation
11 March
Six new cases in managed isolation
12 March
At midday, Auckland drops to Alert Level 1.
12 March
One new case in managed isolation
13 March
Three new cases in managed isolation and two historical cases
14 March
One new case in managed isolation
15 March
Seven new cases in managed isolation
16 March
Two new cases in managed isolation
17 March
Three new cases in managed isolation
19 March
Ten new cases in managed isolation since 17 March
21 March
Eight new cases in managed isolation since 19 March
22 March
Eight new cases in managed isolation, one historical case and one case involving a managed-isolation facility worker at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Auckland
23 March
A household contact of yesterday's MIF case returns a "weak positive" result. Also, three new cases are reported in managed isolation, plus a historical case
24 March
Three new cases in managed isolation. Yesterday's "weak positive" case has been retested: they were negative on PCR analysis and for blood serology and the person is now considered to have had a fleeting infection or a false positive
25 March
Six new cases in managed isolation. Also, a genomic link has been found between two cases with the UK variant at Grand Mercure managed isolation facilitiy in Auckland. They were recent returnees staying in rooms on separate floors of the hotel and had arrived on separate flights, within two days of each other. Additional testing was implemented at the facility and 250 returnees who had left since 10 March were to be asked to get tested and isolate at home until receiving a negative result
26 March
Three new cases in managed isolation. Around 10,000 people in New Zealand have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and around 40,000 have received one dose
27 March
One new case in managed isolation and one historical case
28 March
One new case in managed isolation
29 March
Eleven new cases in managed isolation
30 March
Two new cases in managed isolation
31 March
Two new cases in managed isolation
1 April
Five new cases in managed isolation. A previously reported positive case has been reclassified as a historical infection which has been reported in the person's home country and removed from New Zealand's tally
4 April
Six new cases in managed isolation
6 April
Seventeen new cases, over two days, in managed isolation
7 April
Seven new cases in managed isolation
8 April
One new case, "B", in a border-related worker at the Grand Millennium managed isolation facility; and 23 new cases in recently arrived travellers in managed isolation, four of which are cases of historical infection
9 April
Six new cases in managed isolation
10 April
Ten new cases in managed isolation
11 April
Four new cases. Three are travellers in managed isolation. The fourth is case C, the fourth case in the Grand Millennium cluster, who is a worker there and a close contact of case B reported on 8 April. Case A is a cleaner at the hotel who returned a positive result on 21 March (reported 22 March). The viruses in A and B have been genomically linked and have in turn been linked to a traveller who arrived on 13 March
11 April
Temporary ban comes into effect on travellers, including New Zealand citizens and residents, coming from India, until 28 April
12 April
Seven new cases in managed isolation and one historical case. Genome sequencing shows the virus in case C of the Grand Millennium cluster is closely related to the virus in A and B
13 April
Four new cases in managed isolation
14 April
Two new cases in managed isolation
15 April
Two new cases in managed isolation
16 April
One new case in managed isolation
18 April
Four new cases and one historical case in managed isolation. The total number of confirmed cases is 2239.
19 April
Trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel bubble starts. Two new cases in managed isolation
20 April
One new case, a border worker (a cleaner) at Auckland Airport, and one historical case
21 April
One new case in managed isolation. Separately, genome sequencing has linked yesterday's border-worker case to a case who arrived in New Zealand on 10 April
23 April
Government announces travel restrictions from countries in the new "very-high-risk" category, defined as more than 50 cases of COVID-19 per 1000 arrivals to New Zealand from those countries this year. India, Brazil, Papua New Guinea and Pakistan meet the threshold. From 11.59pm, 28 April, travellers from those countries will be temporarily restricted to New Zealand citizens, their partners and children, and parents of children who are New Zealand citizens.
22 April
Three new cases in managed isolation
24 April
Two new cases in managed isolation. Quarantine-free travel between Western Australia and New Zealand has been suspended because Perth and the outer-metropolitan area of Peel have been placed in a three-day lockdown
27 April
Eight new cases in managed isolation
28 April
New Zealand resumes quarantine-free travel with Western Australia, except for close contacts. Two new cases in managed isolation
29 April
Three new cases in managed isolation
1 May
Direct flights from Western Australia paused
2 May
Four new cases in managed isolation. Flights from Western Australia resume
3 May
Four new cases in managed isolation
4 May
One new case in managed isolation
5 May
Three new cases and three historical cases in recent returnees in managed isolation
6 May
One new case and three potential historical cases in managed isolation. Quarantine-free travel "paused" with New South Wales while the source of two community cases in Sydney is investigated
8 May
Three new cases and three historical cases, all in managed isolation
9 May
Two new cases in managed isolation. Travel "pause" with New South Wales ends at 11.59pm
10 May
Two new historical cases in managed isolation, and one previously reported (on 6 May) case now deemed historical
12 May
One new case in managed isolation
13 May
One new case in managed isolation
14 May
One historical case in managed isolation
16 May
One new case in managed isolation
16 May
Two weak positive results were returned from wastewater testing at Moa Point, Wellington on 14 and 15 May, which were probably from recently recovered cases continuing to shed virus
17 May
Five new cases in managed isolation
18 May
One new case in managed isolation and one historical case
18 May
First flight to Cook Islands after two-way quarantine-free travel was permitted from 17 May
19 May
Six new cases in managed isolation
19 May
Weak positive results have been returned from wastewater samples at Porirua and Karori in Wellington on 16 May, probably from recently recovered cases continuing to shed virus
20 May
One new case in managed isolation
20 May
Health Ministry says weak positive results have been returned recently from wastewater testing in Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua and Queenstown
21 May
Three new cases in managed isolation
23 May
Six new cases in managed isolation
24 May
Four new cases in managed isolation
25 May
Two new cases in managed isolation
25 May
Quarantine-free travel with Victoria paused, initially for 72 hours, from 7.59pm, while the source of five community cases in Melbourne is investigated
27 May
One new case in managed isolation
27 May
Victoria travel-bubble pause extended to 7.59pm on 4 June. Around 5000 people have recently arrived in New Zealand from Victoria and they must self-quarantine in their home or accommodation until they return a negative test result. Victoria has imposed a seven-day lockdown. Its outbreak has expanded to 26 cases in the community
30 May
Two new cases in managed isolation
31 May
One new case in managed isolation
2 June
Six new cases in managed isolation
3 June
One new case and one historical case in managed isolation
3 June
Pause in quarantine-free travel with Victoria extended to 11.59pm on 10 June
4 June
One new case in managed isolation
6 June
One new case in managed isolation
8 June
Ten new cases in managed isolation
8 June
Government says Pfizer has scheduled delivery of around 1 million vaccine doses to New Zealand in July. This follows an earlier statement that stocks would run low in June
9 June
Two new cases in managed isolation and two cases deemed historical
10 June
One new case in managed isolation. Pause in quarantine-free travel with Victoria extended for seven days
11 June
Five new cases in managed isolation
13 June
Four new cases and two historical cases, all in managed isolation
14 June
One new case in managed isolation
15 June
One historical case reported
16 June
Two new cases in managed isolation
17 June
Two new cases in managed isolation. Confirmed cases total now stands at 2357. Infection scare at Stewart Island after a child returned an indeterminate result
Halt on quarantine-free travel bubble with Victoria continues until 22 June. NZ health officials assess risk posed by quarantine-free travel with New South Wales and decide not to halt that bubble
Government announces timing of vaccination for priority group 4: over-60s to be offered vaccination from 28 July and over-55s from 11 August; over-45s to receive invitations from mid to late August and over-35s from mid to late September; and everyone else being eligible from October. People will be asked to use the Book My Vaccine online booking system, or can phone a new national vaccination booking call centre
18 June
One new case in managed isolation. The Stewart Island child is thought not to have had active COVID infection, after the swab returned a positive result for rhinovirus, and COVID testing of the family and community returned negative results
20 June
Four new cases in managed isolation
21 June
Three new cases in managed isolation
Medsafe approves extension of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine indications to ages 12-15
22 June
Quarantine-free travel bubble with New South Wales paused at 11.59pm until 25 June after 10 new community cases reported in the Australian state, taking the recent tally linked to the community cluster to 21
Quarantine-free travel bubble with Victoria to resume at 11.59, following NZ health officials' assessment of the risk from Victoria being low
In New Zealand, 410,973 scans of the COVID Tracer app have been completed in the past 24 hours
23 June
Wellington region put into Alert Level 2 at 6pm following the visit of an Australian man who tested positive after returning to Sydney. The man was in Wellington from 19 to 21 June and was likely to have contracted the virus in Sydney before his visit
Four new cases in managed isolation; none in the community
24 June
New South Wales bubble pause extended to 11.59pm on 6 July
COVID Tracer app scans up: 571,514 in past 24 hours
25 June
Two new cases in managed isolation; no community cases.
COVID Tracer app scans up again: 894,288 in past 24 hours
26 June
Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed in Sydney man who visited Wellington.
Travel bubble with all Australian states and territories paused at 10.30pm, until 11.59pm on 29 June, because of multiple outbreaks in Australia posing an increasing risk to New Zealand.
Four new cases in managed isolation; no community cases.
COVID Tracer app scans in past 24 hours: 958,732
27 June
Alert Level 2 extended in Wellington region until 11.59pm on 29 June, which will be 6-1/4 days in total.
One new case in managed isolation.
So far, 2444 people have been identified as contacts of the Sydney Delta case who visited Wellington.
A person who returned an indeterminate COVID-19 test result later tests negative and is stated not to have active infection
28 June
Government has sought advice on making COVID Tracer app scanning compulsory in high-risk locations, such as bars, restaurants and churches.
Government is considering making mask use compulsory at Alert Level 2 or higher in certain high-risk locations, such as indoor events, places of worship and retail outlets.
Ten new cases in managed isolation; none in the community
29 June
Wellington region to return to Alert Level 1, from 2, at 11.59pm.
Travel bubble pause with Australia extended to 11.59pm on 4 July, after which the bubble will reopen with South Australia, ACT, Tasmania and Victoria. Bubble pause with Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland will be reviewed again on Tuesday 6 July.
30 June
One new case in managed isolation
1 July
One new case in managed isolation
2 July
Two new cases and one historical case in managed isolation
4 July
Seven new cases in managed isolation. Two other cases, previously reported as under investigation, have been reclassified as historical
The partial re-opening of the travel bubble with Australia, announced on 29 June, took effect today
5 July
Seven new cases in managed isolation
A shipment containing 150,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, New Zealand's largest shipment yet, arrived by plane in Auckland yesterday. Until the shipment's arrival, DHBs only had enough stock to last until 7 July
Travel bubble with Western Australia and Northern Territory to resume from 11.59pm on 9 July. From the same time, "managed return" flights will start from New South Wales and Queensland for people ordinarily resident in New Zealand
6 July
One new case in managed isolation. COVID Tracer app scans per 24 hours have dropped back down to 657,345
Two new cases in mariners. The two flew into Auckland yesterday with seven other mariners. All nine were tested at Auckland Airport and driven to New Plymouth, where they went to sea in a fishing boat, the Viking Bay, in which they are now isolating in international waters. Two port workers and the driver have been identified as contacts and they are in isolation.
7 July
Three new cases in managed isolation
The Viking Bay is returning to port, where the two cases and 13 other crew will disembark to enter managed isolation and quarantine. The three close contacts - a bus driver, a port pilot and a customs officer - are fully vaccinated and wore PPE when interacting with any of the nine newly arrived mariners. The mariners had arrived in Auckland on a "red" flight, from which everyone, as required by red-flight rules, is in managed isolation. Everyone on the flight, except the two cases, has tested negative.
Pause on travel bubble with Queensland and New South Wales to continue.
8 July
One new case in managed isolation
The Viking Bay's crew size is now reported by the Health Ministry as 20, of whom 15 will enter an MIQ facility once the boat docks. Where it will dock is today uncertain. A second foreign-owned fishing vessel has declared flu-like symptoms on board and has asked to dock in New Zealand
9July
One historical case in managed isolation
Managed return flights start from Queensland
11 July
Three new cases in managed isolation
12July
One new case in managed isolation
The Viking Bay has docked in Wellington as a quarantined vessel and a fence has been erected. Thirteen of the crew of 20 will transfer to a Wellington quarantine facility
Quarantine-free travel (QFT) from New South Wales remains on hold. Managed return flights from Sydney begin tomorrow, with travellers having to go into 14 days of managed isolation on return. QFT from Queensland to resume at 11.59 tonight.
Vaccination made compulsory for more border workers
13 July
Five new cases in managed isolation
Positive COVID-19 tests returned by 15 Viking Bay crew. The 15 have been transferred to an on-shore quarantine facility in Wellington. Five crew who remain on the ship have returned negative test results
Start of managed return flights, followed by 14 days’ managed isolation, for New Zealanders returning from Sydney
Spanish-flagged fishing boat Playa Zahara berthed at Port Taranaki today. Crew being tested following reports of flu-like illness on board
14 July
Four new cases in managed isolation
Last night, one of the five crew on the Viking Bay became unwell and was transferred to on-shore quarantine, despite a previous negative test.
One Playa Zahara crew member, who has returned an indeterminate test result, remains symptomatic
15 July
Five new cases in managed isolation.
Of the 18 crew of Playa Zahara, 16 have tested positive.
The latest mariner transferred to shore quarantine from Viking Bay has returned a second negative test.
The first infringement notices for border workers who have not complied with COVID-19 testing requirements have been issued. Eighteen notices were issued.
16July
Five new cases and four new historical cases in managed isolation.
Thirteen of the crew of the Playa Zahara, docked at Lyttelton, are to be moved to shore quarantine in Christchurch, leaving five on board.
Quarantine-free travel from Victoria paused from 1.59pm
18 July
Ten new cases in managed isolation, including three of the four remaining crew on board the quarantined Viking Bay in Wellington; and two historical cases.
Playa Zahara arrives at Lyttelton and is quarantined; 13 crew members taken to shore isolation, with five to remain on board.
19 July
Marshall Island-flagged container ship the Mattina, which arrived at Bluff last night, is quarantined there. Two of its 21 crew have tested positive.
Three new cases in managed isolation
More than 370,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the largest shipment to New Zealand so far, arrived yesterday, two days early.
20 July
Seven more positive cases on the quarantined ship Mattina, bringing the total to nine.
Six new border-related cases. (Three of those are on the Mattina. The other six Mattina cases are not yet included in the Health Ministry's daily case tally update.)
Quarantine-free travel from South Australia paused at 11.59pm. People who ordinarily live in New Zealand will be allowed to come home on managed return flights
21 July
Six Mattina cases added to the Health Ministry's daily case tally update. Two cases from the ship, quarantined at Bluff, taken to hospital for assessment
22 July
Three new cases and one historical case in managed isolation.
Three new cases on the Mattina, bringing the total there to 12. One more potential case is under investigation and three of the crew have serological evidence of past infection
23 July
Nineteen new cases, all of them mariners already in isolation; plus one historical case in managed isolation.
Sixteen of the mariner cases are crew of the Playa Zahara and three are from the Mattina
Quarantine-free travel to New Zealand from anywhere in Australia to be suspended from 11.59 tonight for at least eight weeks. Managed return flights will fly New Zealanders home for the next seven days.
SARS-CoV-2 detected in New Plymouth wastewater by ESR testing is thought to be from recently recovered cases continuing to shed the virus.
24 July
Three new cases and two historical cases in managed isolation.
25 July
Two new cases in managed isolation.
Two historical cases in Playa Zahara crew members.
26 July
Three historical cases in managed isolation.
27 July
One new case in managed isolation
All Playa Zahara crew members have recovered. The vessel was deep-cleaned on Friday and is expected to leave Lyttelton tomorrow
Fourteen of the 20 Viking Bay crew are back on the vessel in Wellington; six remain ashore in managed isolation
28 July
One new case in managed isolation
PM Jacinda Ardern says that from today those aged 60-plus will start receiving invitations to book their vaccination at bookmyvaccine.org.nz or through the COVID Vaccination Healthline
29 July
Around 165,000 peple aged 60-64 were sent vaccination booking invitations yesterday by letter, email or text and 105,811 bookings were made.
Five new cases in managed isolation.
The Playa Zahara has left Lyttelton, after all crew had recovered.
30 July
A Middlemore Hospital health worker is in precautionary quarantine after a minor PPE protocol breach during management of a COVID-19 case
Two new cases and one historical case in managed isolation.
1 August
Four new cases and one historical case in managed isolation.
2 August
Four new cases in managed isolation.
The Viking Bay is expected to leave Wellington today, with all its 20 crew.
3 August
One historical case in managed isolation.
4 August
Two new cases in managed isolation. Two historical cases at the border.
5 August
One new case in managed isolation.
6 August
One new case and one historical case in managed isolation.
Vaccination bookings open for people aged 55-59.
8 August
Five new cases and one historical case in managed isolation.
9 August
Two new cases and two historical cases in managed isolation.
Positive test results have been returned by 11 of the 21 crew on container ship the Rio De La Plata, which is off Tauranga. Some of the 11 cases are expected to be active and others historical and no longer infectious. None have symptoms and none left the ship when it was at Port of Tauranga. A pilot was on the ship in Queensland last month and tested positive for Delta variant nine days later. This temporarily halted unloading at Tauranga on 4 August, until an assessment cleared the vessel for the work to resume on 5 August. More than 90 port workers have been tested.
10 August
Three new cases in managed isolation.
From 110 tests taken, negative results have been returned from 109 workers at the Port of Tauranga following the identification of cases on the Rio De La Plata, which visited the port. One worker is being retested following an inconclusive result. The Health Ministry says 72 port workers had boarded the ship (updated to 73 on 12 August).
Later, a retest of the port worker whose initial result was inconclusive produced a negative result.
11 August
Two new cases in managed isolation.
Rio De La Plata has left New Zealand waters bound for Malaysia. Eight of the 11 COVID-positive crew have Delta variant; genome-sequencing results for three failed to return a result. The sequencing results are linked to the Queensland marine pilot, whom ESR now thinks most likely was infected from the ship.
12 August
Eight new cases and one historical case in managed isolation.
All Port of Tauranga workers associated with Rio De La Plata have returned at least one negative test.
13 August
One new case in managed isolation
15 August
Four new cases and two historical cased in managed isolation.
16 August
Five new cases and two historical cases in managed isolation
17 August
A case of COVID-19 has been detected in the community in Auckland. No link has been established with the border or managed isolation. The last case in the community in New Zealand was from 19 to 21 June when an Australian, who was later found most likely to had the infection before leaving Sydney, visited Wellington, leading to the Wellington region going into Alert Level 2.
The new case is a 58-year-old Devonport man who was tested yesterday and is thought to have been infectious since Thursday 12 August and visited Coromandel from 13 to 15 August.
There were 524,585 scans of the COVID Tracer app in the past 24 hours to midday yesterday.
An Alert Level 4 lockdown will apply from 11..59pm in Auckland and Coromandel for seven days and in the rest of the country for three days.
Vaccination has been suspended for up to two days.
18 August
Four new cases. One is a workmate of "case A", the 58-year-old Devonport man, and three are contacts of the workmate. Of the three, one is an Auckland City Hospital nurse. Case A's virus is Delta variant and linked to cases in New South Wales.
In a second update today, two new cases have been reported, aged 19 and 21, bringing the community outbreak's total to seven. In managed isolation, three new cases have been reported.
A third update: There are three more Auckland community cases, two of them in their 20s and with links to the outbreak, bringing its total to nine, and a woman in her 60s whose virus is linked to the border. Interviews are underway to determine if her virus is also linked to the outbreak.
19 August
Eleven new community cases, for a total of 21, of which 12 are confirmed as part of the outbreak, with eight under investigation for a link. The woman in her 60s reported yesterday is not considered part of the outbreak. The viruses in the outbreak and in a traveller who was on a red zone managed return flight from Sydney are a close genomic match.
There are also six new cases and two historical cases in managed isolation.
There were 758,658 COVID Tracer app scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday.
20 August
A North Shore Hospital patient has tested positive for COVID-19 after having been admitted for an unrelated condition. The Waitematā DHB has closed the hospital and the DHB's Short Stay Surgical Unit. Incoming patients are being diverted to other hospitals while the affected areas are given a deep clean.
Health Ministry reports 11 new community cases, of which three are in Wellington, for a total of 31 associated with the Auckland outbreak. The three Wellington cases had recently travelled to Auckland and visited a location of interest. The international Air New Zealand crew member, the woman in her 60s reported yesterday, has now been confirmed as a border-related case, and not linked to the Auckland outbreak, based on the results of whole genome sequencing.
Two new cases in managed isolation today.
Alert Level change: All of New Zealand will be in Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm on Tuesday 24 August.
People aged 12-15 now eligible for vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
21 August
Twenty-one new community cases, for a total of 51, of which 18 are in Auckland and three in Wellington. One of the new Wellington cases was also reported yesterday. Three new cases in managed isolation. Testing reached a new record yesterday, with 41,464 swabs processed. In Auckland, 31,000 swabs were taken, nearly 10,000 of them at community testing centres and around 21,000 at general practices and urgent care clinics. North Shore Hospital ED remains closed to new cases.
22August
Twenty-one new community cases, for a total of 72, of which 20 are in Auckland and one in Wellington. The Wellington case was also reported yesterday. All but 11 of the 72 cases have been confirmed as belonging to the Auckland cluster, with initial assessment showing most of the 11 are linked too. Three new cases in managed isolation.
Government announces it will require businesses and events to ensure visitors record their visits by using the COVID-19 Tracer App or by making a manual record. Click on this link for details: https://tinyurl.com/wfm9v3ku
23 August
Thirty-five new community cases, for a total of 107, of which 33 are in Auckland and two in Wellington. Three new cases in managed isolation.
Alert Level change: Alert Level 4 will be extended in Auckland until 11.59pm on Tuesday 31 August, and in the rest of the country until 11.59pm on Friday 27 August.
24 August
Forty-one new community cases, for a total of 148, of which 38 are in Auckland and three in Wellington. One new case in managed isolation. The largest cluster in what is now called the Auckland outbreak is the 58 cases associated with the Māngere Assembly of God church, people who either attended a particular service there or were their contacts; followed by the "Birkdale social group" of about 23 cases.
25 August
Sixty-two new community cases, for a total of 210, of which 198 are in Auckland and 12 in Wellington. Forty of the new cases are Pasifika, three are Māori, seven are Asian, five are European and the ethnicity of seven is currently unknown to health officials. A second sample of sewage, collected from the Warkworth catchment on 22 August, has tested positive for COVID-19 genomically linked to the outbreak, following a positive from 17 August and a negative from 21 August. One new case in managed isolation.
26 August
Sixty-eight new community cases, for a total of 277, of which 263 are in Auckland and 14 in Wellington. COVID-19 has been detected in Christchurch sewage sampling on 21 and 23 August; this is considered consistent with there being at least three positive cases in MIQ facilities in the city. There are 24,402 contacts, of whom 71 per cent have been tested. Nearly 500 locations of interest have been listed. Vaccination: 87,972 doses administered yesterday, a new record. There were 743,324 COVID Tracer App scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday.
27 August
Seventy new community cases, for a total of 347, 333 of them in Auckland and 14 in Wellington. One case is in ICU in a stable condition, among 19 cases in hospital, all in Auckland. Amberlea Home and Hospital in north Auckland is listed as an exposure site after a dementia unit staff member returned a positive test result. National hospital occupancy rates are about 75 per cent. Vaccination: another record day yesterday, reaching 90,757 doses administered.
28 August
Eighty-two new community cases, for a total of 429; and one new case in managed isolation.
29 August
Eighty-three new community cases, for a total of 511 in the community outbreak; and two new cases in managed isolation.
30 August
Fifty-three new community cases, all in Auckland, for a total of 564 in the outbreak so far. Two cases have recovered, leaving 562 active cases. Thiry-seven cases are in hospital; all are stable - 32 on a ward and five in an ICU. Of today's new cases, 66 per cent were household contacts of cases, and 77 per cent did not create new exposure events.
One new case and one historical case in managed isolation.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board considers the death of a woman following vaccination with Comirnaty was due to myocarditis, a known rare side effect of the vaccine. The board considered that the myocarditis was probably due to vaccination.
31 August
Forty-nine new community cases, minus one previous case now reclassified as border-related, for an outbreak total of 612. All the new community cases are in Auckland. There are 34,413 contacts and 389 locations of interest.
One new case in managed isolation. The number of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic is 3212.
Alert Level change: New Zealand other than Auckland and Northland drop from level 4 to level 3 at 11.59 tonight.
1 September
Seventy-five new community cases, for an outbreak total of 687. One of the new cases is in Wellington, the rest in Auckland. One new case in managed isolation.
2 September
Forty-nine new community cases, for an outbreak total of 736. The number of contacts has risen to 37,359. Four new cases in managed isolation.
Alert Level change: Northland's move to level 3 at 11.59 tonight has been confirmed.
3 September
Twenty-eight community cases, for an outbreak total of 764. One of the new cases is in Wellington, the rest in Auckland. Four new cases in managed isolation.
4 September
One new death - a woman aged in her 90s who had a number of underlying conditions, in North Shore Hospital last night - bringing New Zealand's COVID-19 death toll to 27.
Twenty new community cases, for an outbreak total of 782. Two new cases in managed isolation.
5 September
Twenty new community cases. Outbreak total: 801. Four new cases in managed isolation and one historical case.
6 September
Twenty new community cases. Outbreak total: 821. Three new cases in managed isolation and one historical case.
7 September
Twenty-one new community cases. Outbreak total: 841 (one previously reported case has been reclassified as a duplicate).
Alert Level change: At 11.59 tonight, New Zealand except Auckland drops from level 3 to a revised level 2. It is being called level 2 "Delta", with new mask and sign-in/app-scan requirements at many places attended by the public, a reduction in group sizes and an expansion of social distancing.
8 September
Fifteen new community cases. Outbreak total: 855 (one previously reported community case has been reclassified as a border case). One new case in managed isolation. There were 1,018,481 poster scans with the COVID-19 Tracer App in the 24 hours to midday yesterday.
9 September
Thirteen new community cases. Outbreak total: 868. Two new and three historical border-related cases. Today’s community case total includes a case reported on Tuesday as one that was yet to be classified; it has now been classified as a community case. A fourth historical case is a previously reported community case which has been reclassified.
10 September
Eleven new community cases. Six new cases in managed isolation and two historical cases.
11 September
Twenty-three new community cases and one new case in managed isolation. In a second announcement today, the Ministry of Health says three people who presented at Middlemore Hospital in recent days have tested positive.
12 September
Twenty new community cases, three new cases in managed isolation and one historical case.
13 September
Thirty-three new community case and three new cases in managed isolation.
14 September
Fifteen new community cases and two new cases in managed isolation.
15 September
Fourteen new community cases and three historical cases in managed isolation.
16 September
Thirteen new community cases, three new cases in managed isolation and two historical cases. A truck driver who made deliveries from Auckland to Waikato and the Bay of Plenty has tested positive and is linked to the outbreak. A patient who tested positive at Middlemore Hospital on 15 September is in home isolation before transfer to MIQ. Five previous cases identified through exposure events at the hospital have been linked to the outbreak.
Director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield, seemingly with the endorsement of prime minister Jacinda Arden, voices a COVID-19 vaccination target of sorts. He says New Zealand needs a vaccination level of 90 per cent or above if the country is to enjoy the community benefits of a high level of vaccination, namely a high level of protection against getting unwell or dying from the disease. See here for details, at 33 minutes and 18 seconds: https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/news-items/covid-19-update-16-september-2021
17 September
Eleven new community cases and five new cases in managed isolation.
Suspension of quarantine-free travel with Australia extended for another eight weeks.
18 September
Twenty new community cases, two new cases in managed isolation and two historical cases.
19 September
Twenty-four new community cases, for a total so far in the outbreak of 1050. In a second announcement today, the Ministry of Health says there are three new cases in the Kaiaua/Whakatīwai area of the Hauraki Plains/western Firth of Thames.
20 September
Twenty-two new community cases and one new case in managed isolation.
Alert level change: The northern Hauraki area is made subject to an order imposing level-4-like stay-at-home restrictions on people who have worked, lived or visited there since 8 September. Maximum level 2 gathering size, including at hospitality venues, increases to 100, from 50.
21 September
Fourteen new community cases (including one from north Hauraki) and one historical border-related case.
Alert level change: Auckland drops from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm and is planned to remain at level 3 until 5 October, pending a Cabinet review on 4 October. The rest of New Zealand, except northern Hauraki, will remain at level 2 while Auckland is at level 3 or 4.
22 September
Twenty-three new community cases, and one new historical border-related case.
Alert Level change: Upper Hauraki has moved to level 3, in line with Auckland's reduction to level 3 overnight, in addition to the order imposed regarding Upper Hauraki on 20 September.
23 September
Fifteen new community cases, one case in managed isolation and one historical border-related case. The number of cases so far in the community outbreak: 1123. In the past fortnight, 14 cases have not been epidemiologically linked to the outbreak.
Alert Level change: The level 4-like order restricting movement of people who visited Upper Hauraki before 7.30pm on 20 September is lifted today.
24 September
Nine new community cases and one historical case from managed isolation.
25 September
Sixteen new community cases and one historical border-related case.
Alert Level change: Upper Hauraki drops to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm.
26 September
Eighteen new community cases and one new and two historical cases from managed isolation.
27 September
Twelve new community cases, for a total of 1177 in the outbreak.
28 September
Eight new community cases; and four border-related cases, one of which is historical. A wastewater sample taken from Tauranga on 23 September has tested positive.
29 September
Forty-five new community cases, of which 12 are not yet epidemiologically linked to the outbreak.
30 Septebmer
Nineteen new community cases, three new cases in managed isolation and three border-related historical cases
1 October
Nineteen new community cases
2 October
Twenty-seven new community cases. Counties Manukau DHB reported a possible COVID-19 exposure event that occurred at Middlemore Hospital last night; it involves a patient who tested positive after answering no to screening questions but then being observed during ED triage to have a COVID-like symptom. An Auckland-based truck driver who had travelled to Palmerston North for work was found to be positive today, based on a test done in Auckland yesterday, and is now isolating at a facility in Palmerston North.
3 October
Two community cases in Waikato - one in Raglan, the other in Hamilton East. Both were later confirmed by genome sequencing to be linked to each other and the Auckland outbreak. In total, 33 new community cases were reported today, including one of the Waikato cases. Auckland DHB reported that a parent of a baby in the Auckland City Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit tested positive today.
Alert Level change: Level 3 restrictions will be imposed from 11.59 tonight, initially for five days, at Raglan, Hamilton City, Ngaruawahia, Huntly and Te Kauwhata. Unlike what prime minister Jacinda Ardern calls the hard level 3 boundary around Auckland at present, level 3 restrictions in the five Waikato areas will be policed by spot checks.
4 October
Twenty-nine new community cases (including the second of the two Waikato cases reported yesterday) and two new cases in managed isolation. A visitor to North Shore Hospital's maternity ward and the baby they were visiting - but not the mother - have tested positive. A person admitted to the Auckland City Hospital ICU after going to the ED - for non-COVID reasons - has tested positive.
5 October
Twenty-four new community cases, of which 18 are in Auckland and six in Waikato; and two new cases in managed isolation.
Alert Level tweak: From 11.59pm, some restrictions will be eased in Auckland's (but not Waikato's) Alert Level 3 lockdown. Newly permitted will be outdoor gatherings of up to two households at a time, with a maximum of 10 people; the return of early childhood education for all enrollees, in bubbles of up to 10; and people can travel around the Auckland region for outdoor recreation such as going to the beach and hunting.
Some experts now say New Zealand is transitioning from an elimination strategy to a suppression strategy.
6 October
One new death, of a patient in Middlemore Hospital, bringing the total number of New Zealand deaths in the pandemic to 28.
Thirty-nine new community cases (30 in Auckland, 9 in Waikato), two new cases in managed isolation, and one case in a border worker which is under investigation for whether it is linked to the border or the community. Of the Waikato cases, two were from places outside the current level 3 areas, namely Kawhia and Karapiro.
Vaccination change: the Ministry of Health advises considering a shorter gap - of at least three weeks, between the first and second doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, down from the current six weeks, which has been the recommended gap since August.
7 October
Twenty-nine new community cases (24 in Auckland and five in Waikato), and two new cases in managed isolation. Later today, the Ministry of Health reported an additional new case, a person who returned a positive test in Auckland today after returning a weak positive result earlier this week in Whangārei.
Alert Level change: The part of the Waikato region at Alert Level 3 expands at 11.59 tonight to include the Waitomo (including Te Kuiti), Waipa and Otorohanga Districts.
8 October
Forty-four new community cases (41 in Auckland and three in Waikato), plus three new cases in managed isolation.
Alert Level change: Northland goes to level 3 at 11.59pm. The positive case which prompted this change travelled from Auckland to Northland and back, 2-6 October, visiting four urban areas. The Government believes she was accompanied by another woman and says the case supplied false information as the basis of obtaining travel permission.
9 October
Thirty-four new community cases (31 of them in Auckland and three in Waikato), and two new cases in managed isolation.
A test taken from a person in Auckland, who is now in the vicinity of Katikati, a level 2 area, is positive. The person had been living in Pukekohe (level 3) and was in the process of making a permitted household move to Katikati.
10 October
Sixty new community cases (56 in Auckland, three in Waikato, and the Katikati case publicised yesterday), and one new case in managed isolation.
11 October
Thirty-five new community cases, all in Auckland. This brings the total number of cases so far in this community outbreak to 1622, of which 1534 have been epidemiologically linked (leaving 88). In the past fortnight, 58 cases have not been epidemiologically linked.
12 October
Forty-three new community cases (40 in Auckland and three in Waikato) and three new border-related cases (of which one is historical).
The travelling companion of the Auckland case whose journey in Northland led to an Alert Level 3 lockdown in that region has been found by police in west Auckland and has tested positive.
13 October
Fifty-five new community cases (53 Auckland and two Waikato). Seventy-five cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight.
My Covid Record website is launched, providing people with access to their own COVID-19 vaccination records.
14 October
Seventy-one new community cases (all in Auckland) and one new border cases. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 102.
15 October
Sixty-five new community cases (all in Auckland) and one new border case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 107.
16 October
Forty-one new community cases (40 in Auckland, one in Waikato) and two new border cases. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 124.
Nationally, 130,002 vaccine doses were administered today, a one-day record, in "Super Saturday" vaccination events. In Auckland 85 per cent of eligible people have now had at least one dose.
17 October
Fifty-one new community cases (47 in Auckland and four in Waikato) and two new cases in managed isolation. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 127.
18 October
Sixty new community cases (57 in Auckland and three in Waikato) and five new border cases. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 140.
19 October
Ninety-four new community cases (87 in Auckland and seven in Waikato) and five new border cases. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 183
Alert Level change: Northland moves from level 3, to level 2 at 11.59pm
20 October
Sixty new community cases (56 in Auckland and four in Waikato) and two new border cases. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 166.
21 October
New community cases: 102 (94 in Auckland and eight in Waikato). New border cases: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 199.
22 October
New community cases: 129 (120 in Auckland and nine in Waikato). New border cases: 5. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 195.
A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine that has been recommended for severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and older is now available
23 October
New community cases: 104 (91in Auckland, 8 in Waikato, 4 in Northland and 1 in Blenheim). New border cases: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 274.
24 October
New community cases: 80 (77 in Auckland, 2 in Waikato and 1 in Northland). New border cases: 5 (including 1 historical). Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 287.
25 October
New community cases: 109 (103 in Auckland, 4 in Waikato and 2 in Northland). New border cases: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 307.
26 October
New community cases: 79 (75 in Auckland and 4 in Waikato). New border cases: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 281.
27 October
New community cases: 74 (68 in Auckland and six in Waikato). One new case and three historical cases in managed isolation. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 269.
Alert Level tweak: The parts of Waikato in Alert Level 3 move to the slightly eased restrictions of step 1 at 11.59 tonight.
28 October
New community cases: 89 (83 in Auckland, 4 in Waikato and 2 in Christchurch). One historical case in managed isolation. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 293.
29 October
New community cases: 125 (118 in Auckland, 4 in Waikato, 1 in Northland and 2 in Canterbury). New cases in managed isolation: 3 plus 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 289.
30 October
New community cases:160 (151 in Auckland, 7 in Waikato, 1 in Northland, 1 in Canterbury). New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 358.
31 October
New community cases:143 (135 in Auckland, 6 in Waikato and 2 in Northland). Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 384.
1 November
New community cases:162 (156 in Auckland, 5 in Waikato and 1 in Northland). (Today's case count was revised on 2 November by the reclassification of two community cases as border related, making the revised daily community tally 160.)
New cases in managed isolation: 4. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 421.
2 November
New community cases:126 (107 in Auckland, 18 in Waikato and 1 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 3. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 432.
Alert level tweak: The parts of Waikato at level 3 will to to step 2, a slight easing, tonight at 11.59. The Government announced yesterday that Auckland is on track to move to level 3, step 2 on 9 November (next Tuesday) at 11.59pm.
3 November
New community cases:100 (97 in Auckland and 3 in Waikato). New cases in managed isolation: 9, plus one historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 441. The death of a COVID-19 case isolating at home in Manukau was reported this evening.
4 November
New community cases:139 (136 in Auckland, 2 in Waikato and 1 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 3. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 452.
5 November
New community cases:163 (159 in Auckland and 4 in Waikato). New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 515. The death of a COVID-19 case isolating at home in Mt Eden was reported today.
6 November
New community cases:206 (200 in Auckland, 4 in Waikato and 2 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 623.
7 November
New community cases:113 (109 in Auckland, 3 in Waikato and 1 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 645.
8 November
New community cases:190 (117 in Auckland, 2 in Waikato and 6 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 2 plus 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 700. The Ministry of Health also reported the death in Auckland City Hospital on 6 November of a patient in their late 60s who tested postive for COVID-19 when being admitted on 23 October following a trauma incident. Separately, the ministry reported the death today of a returnee in a managed isolation facility.
9 November
New community cases:125 (182 in Auckland, 7 in Waikato and 1 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 3. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 695. Cases in hospital: 79. Cases in ICU/HDU: 9.
Alert level tweak: at 11.50pm, Auckland moved from Alert Level 3 step 1, to step 2.
10 November
New community cases:147 (131 in Auckland, 14 in Waikato and 2 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 692. Cases in hospital: 81. Cases in ICU/HDU: 11. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 89% (first dose); 79% (second dose). The Health Ministry reported the third death in home isolation of a COVID-19 case, a man aged in his 60s who lived at Glen Eden, Auckland.
11 November
New community cases:185 (152 in Auckland, 25 in Waikato and 8 in Northland). New cases in managed isolation: 0. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 713. Cases in hospital: 84. Cases in ICU/HDU: 10. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 90% (first dose); 80% (second dose).
Alert level change: at 11.59 tonight, northern Northland goes from level 3, to level 2
12 November
New community cases:201 (181 in Auckland, 15 in Waikato, 4 in Northland and 1 - plus 5 to be included in tomorrow's figures - in Taranaki). New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 755. Cases in hospital: 85. Cases in ICU/HDU: 11. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 90% (first dose); 80% (second dose).
13 November
New community cases:175 (159 in Auckland, 8 in Waikato, 2 in Northland, 1 in Lakes DHB area, and 5 in Taranaki). New cases in managed isolation: 1, plus 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 768. Cases in hospital: 93. Cases in ICU/HDU: 9. Cases in home isolation in Auckland: 1655. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 90% (first dose); 80% (second dose).
14 November
New community cases:207 (192 in Auckland, 7 in Waikato, 2 in Northland, 4 in Lakes and 2 in MidCentral). New cases in managed isolation: 2, plus 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 800. Cases in hospital: 90. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. A woman aged in her 90s, who had COVID and a number of underlying health conditions, died in North Shore Hospital last night. Cases in home isolation in Auckland: 1773. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 90% (first dose); 81% (second dose).
Shorter MIQ stays: From today, the managed isolation period for international travellers arriving in New Zealand reduces from 14 days,to 7 days, followed by isolation at home until the result of a day 9 test has been received and is negative. (Announced 28 October, with details of expanded home-isolation next year for arriving travellers).
15 November
New community cases:173 (163 in Auckland, 7 in Waikato, 2 in Northland, 1 in Lakes and 2 in MidCentral - plus 1 in Wairarapa that will be included in tomorrow's figures). New cases in managed isolation: 0, plus 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 861. Cases in hospital: 90. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Cases in home isolation in Auckland: 1893. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 90% (first dose); 81% (second dose).
Booster doses of Pfizer vaccine will be administered from 29 November (Chris Hipkins announcement today).
16 November
New community cases:222 (197 in Auckland, 20 in Waikato, 1 in Northland, 2 in Lakes and 1 in Wairarapa). New cases in managed isolation: 0. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 866. Cases in hospital: 91. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Deaths: 1, aged in their 70s, in Auckland City Hospital. Cases in home isolation: 2023 in Auckland and 92 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 90% (first dose); 81% (second dose).
Alert level change: The parts of Waikato in level 3 move to level 2 tonight at 11.59pm (announced on 15 November).
17 November
New community cases:194 (180 in Auckland, 5 in Waikato, 3 in Northland and 6 in Lakes). New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 836. Cases in hospital: 88. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Cases in home isolation: 2119 in Auckland and 91 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 91% (first dose); 82% (second dose).
Schools: Auckland and Waikato students in years 1-10 can return to face-to-face learning at schools and kura from today (Chris Hipkins announcement on 10 November).
People can request a "My Vaccine Pass", the Government's official proof that a person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, from today (Chris Hipkins announcement today).
18 November
New community cases:167 (142 in Auckland, 17 in Waikato, 5 in Northland, 1 in Lakes, 1 in Bay of Plenty and 1 in Canterbury). New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 824. Cases in hospital: 85. Cases in ICU/HDU: 6. Deaths: 2, both in Auckland hospitals. Cases in home isolation: 2238 in Auckland and 81 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 91% (first dose); 82% (second dose).
19 November
New community cases:191 (152 in Auckland, 30 in Waikato, 5 in Northland, 2 in Lakes, 6 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in MidCentral, 1 in Wairarapa and 1 in Canterbury). New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 832. Cases in hospital: 76. Cases in ICU/HDU: 6. Deaths: 0. Cases in home isolation: 2035 in Auckland and 115 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 91% (first dose); 82% (second dose). Auckland DHB today becomes the first DHB area in which 90 per cent of those eligible are fully vaccinated.
20 November
New community cases:172 (148 in Auckland, 12 in Waikato, 4 in Northland, 4 in Lakes, 3 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Wellington). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 190. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 833. Cases in hospital: 70. Cases in ICU/HDU: 5. Deaths: 0. Cases in home isolation: 2459 in Auckland and 135 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 91% (first dose); 83% (second dose).
21 November
New community cases:149 (140 in Auckland, 6 in Waikato, 2 in Northland, 1 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes and 1 in Canterbury). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 182. New cases in managed isolation: 0. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 836. Cases in hospital: 83. Cases in ICU/HDU: 5. Deaths: 0. Cases in home isolation: 2580 in Auckland and 136 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 91% (first dose); 83% (second dose).
22 November
New community cases:205 (175 in Auckland, 20 in Waikato, 4 in Northland, 5 in Bay of Plenty and 1 in Lakes). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 186. New cases in managed isolation: 0. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 891. Cases in hospital: 85. Cases in ICU/HDU: 6. Deaths: 1, a man in his 40s, at Middlemore Hospital. Cases in home isolation: 1570 in Auckland and 145 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 91% (first dose); 83% (second dose).
Alert Level announcement: Whole country to move to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework (the traffic light system based on the vaccine pass) at 11.59pm on 2 December. Auckland will be red; rest of the country, to be confirmed on 29 November.
23 November
New community cases:215 (181 in Auckland, 18 in Waikato, 3 in Northland, 12 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Canterbury). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 188. New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 920. Cases in hospital: 88. Cases in ICU/HDU: 6. Deaths: 1, a person in their 50s in Auckland City Hospital. Cases in home isolation: 1441 in Auckland and 143 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 91% (first dose); 84% (second dose).
24 November
New community cases: 215 (149 in Auckland, 16 in Waikato, 2 in Northland, 9 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes and 1 in MidCentral). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 190. New cases in managed isolation: 4. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 924. Cases in hospital: 87. Cases in ICU/HDU: 8. Cases in home isolation: 1578 in Auckland and 139 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 92% (first dose); 84% (second dose).
25 November
New community cases: 178 (149 in Auckland, 16 in Waikato, 2 in Northland, 9 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes ). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 187. New cases in managed isolation: 4. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: data unavailable. Cases in hospital: 77. Cases in ICU/HDU: 8. Deaths: 0. Cases in home isolation: 1172 in Auckland and 144 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 92% (first dose); 84% (second dose).
26 November
New community cases: 173 (154 in Auckland, 15 in Waikato, 1 in Northland, 2 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 190. New cases in managed isolation: 4. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 899. Cases in hospital: 78. Cases in ICU/HDU: 8. Cases in home isolation: 1070 in Auckland and 129 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 92% (first dose); 85% (second dose).
Omicron named a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation.
27 November
New community cases: 145 (127 in Auckland, 13 in Waikato, 4 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Canterbury ). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 183. New cases in managed isolation: 4. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 928. Cases in hospital: 77. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Deaths: 1, in Auckland City Hospital, a patient in their 80s. Cases in home isolation: 1078 in Auckland and 128 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 92% (first dose); 85% (second dose).
28 November
New community cases: 144 (128 in Auckland, 2 in Northland, 9 in Waikato, 4 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Hawke's Bay). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 182. New cases in managed isolation: 4. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 904. Cases in hospital: 82. Cases in ICU/HDU: 9. Deaths: 1, in North Shore Hospital, a patient in their 80s. Cases in home isolation: 1119 in Auckland and 115 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 92% (first dose); 85% (second dose).
In response to Omicron, the Government places additional restrictions on travellers arriving from nine southern African countries which it has put on its list of very high risk countries.
29 November
New community cases: 182 (167 in Auckland, 5 in Northland, 10 in Waikato). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 179 . New cases in managed isolation: 3. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 934. Cases in hospital: 93. Cases in ICU/HDU: 10. Cases in home isolation: 1158 in Auckland and 124 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 92% (first dose); 85% (second dose).
30 November
New community cases: 134 (116 in Auckland, 1 in Northland, 8 in Waikato). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 167. New cases in managed isolation: 0, plus 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 933. Cases in hospital: 89. Cases in ICU/HDU: 9. Cases in home isolation: 977 in Auckland and 118 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 92% (first dose); 86% (second dose).
1 December
New community cases: 146 (124 in Auckland, 14 in Waikato, 4 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Nelson Marlborough). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 157. New cases in managed isolation: 2, plus 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 905. Cases in hospital: 83. Cases in ICU/HDU: 9. Cases in home isolation: 1064 in Auckland and 119 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 93% (first dose); 86% (second dose).
2 December
New community cases: 172 (2 in Northland, 142 in Auckland, 15 in Waikato, 1 in Bay of Plenty, 2 in Lakes, 1 in MidCentral, 9 in Nelson Marlborough). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 157. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 929. Cases in hospital: 86. Cases in ICU/HDU: 9. Cases in home isolation: 910 in Auckland and 113 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 93% (first dose); 86% (second dose).
Alert Level system replaced by COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights) at 11.59pm. The South Island and parts of the North Island are at orange. The red areas are Auckland and Northland, and a large strip from Whanganui and Rangitikei to East Cape.
3 December
New community cases: 92 (1 in Northland, 80 in Auckland, 2 in Waikato, 5 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes, 2 in Taranaki, 1 in Nelson Marlborough. Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 145. New cases in managed isolation: 5 and 1 historical case. Cases not epidemiologi)cally linked in last fortnight: 888. Cases in hospital: 79. Cases in ICU/HDU: 9. Cases in home isolation: 1202 in Auckland and 90 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 93% (first dose); 87% (second dose).
4 December
New community cases: 98 (3 in Northland, 84 in Auckland, 21 in Waikato, 6 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes, 2 in Hawke's Bay, 1 in Nelson Marlborough). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 138. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 842. Cases in hospital: 73. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Cases in home isolation: 908 in Auckland. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 93% (first dose); 87% (second dose).
5 December
New community cases: 106 (3 in Northland, 93 in Auckland, 8 in Waikato, 1 in Whanganui, 1 in Canterbury). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 133. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 810. Cases in hospital: 77. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Cases in home isolation: 857 in Auckland and 107 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 93% (first dose); 88% (second dose).
6 December
New community cases: 135 (125 in Auckland, 8 in Waikato, 2 in Canterbury). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 126. New cases in managed isolation: 0. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 808. Cases in hospital: 76. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Cases in home isolation: 847 in Auckland and 108 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 93% (first dose); 88% (second dose).
7 December
New community cases: 98 (74 in Auckland, 10 in Waikato, 8 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Taranaki, 5 in Nelson Marlborough). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 121. New cases in managed isolation: 0. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: 752. Cases in hospital: 66. Cases in ICU/HDU: 7. Cases in home isolation: 843 in Auckland and 109 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 93% (first dose); 88% (second dose).
8 December
New community cases: 90 (3 in Northland, 71 in Auckland, 9 in Waikato, 5 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes, 1 in Nelson-Tasman). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 113. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: data unavailable. Cases in hospital: 74. Cases in ICU/HDU: 6. Cases in home isolation: 813 in Auckland and 109 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 88% (second dose).
9 December
New community cases: 103 (88 in Auckland, 9 in Waikato, 5 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 103. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: data unavailable. Cases in hospital: 70. Cases in ICU/HDU: 5. Cases in self-isolation: 863 in Auckland. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 88% (second dose).
10 December
New community cases: 95 (75 in Auckland, 11 in Waikato, 5 in Bay of Plenty, 1 in Lakes, 1 in Nelson-Tasman, 2 in Canterbury). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 103. New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: data unavailable. Cases in hospital: 56. Cases in ICU/HDU: 4. Deaths: 2 (in Middlemore and Auckland City hospitals). Cases in self-isolation: 802 in Auckland and 101 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 89% (second dose).
11 December
New community cases: 63 - Northland (2), Auckland (53), Waikato (3), Bay of Plenty (1), Taranaki (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 99. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: data unavailable. Cases in hospital: 60. Cases in ICU/HDU: 3. Cases in self-isolation: 677 in Auckland. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 89% (second dose).
12 December
New community cases: 103 - Northland (2), Auckland (86), Waikato (9), Bay of Plenty (3), Lakes (1), Canterbury (2). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 92. New cases in managed isolation: 1. Cases not epidemiologically linked in last fortnight: data unavailable. Cases in hospital: 61. Cases in ICU/HDU: 3. Cases in self-isolation: 686 in Auckland. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 89% (second dose).
13 December
New community cases: 101 - Auckland (97), Bay of Plenty (1), Taranaki (1), Nelson-Marlborough (1), Canterbury (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 93. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases in hospital: 61. Cases in ICU/HDU: 4. Cases in self-isolation: 709 in Auckland.
Traffic light announcement: At 11.59pm on 30 December, Auckland and most other regions currently at red (the large strip of the North Island from Whanganui to East Cape) will go to orange. Northland will remain red and the South Island will remain orange.
14 December
New community cases: 80 - Auckland (51), Waikato (21), Bay of Plenty (7), Lakes (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 90. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases in hospital: 62. Cases in ICU/HDU: 4. Cases in self-isolation: 664 in Auckland. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 89% (second dose).
15 December
New community cases: 74 - Auckland (56), Waikato (9), Bay of Plenty (7), Lakes (1), Canterbury (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 85.4. New cases in managed isolation: 2. Cases in hospital: 61. Cases in ICU/HDU: 4. Deaths: 1, in Tauranga Hospital. Cases in self-isolation: 447 in Auckland. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 89% (second dose).
Auckland border lifted: Most people can travel out of Auckland if they are double vaccinated or have a recent negative test result
16 December
New community cases: 91 - Northland (2), Auckland (55), Waikato (7), Bay of Plenty (10), Lakes (1), Taranaki (16). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 84. New cases in managed isolation: 4. Cases in hospital: 58. Cases in ICU/HDU: 4. Cases in self-isolation: 504 in Auckland, 68 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 90% (second dose).
Omicron: first case reported in New Zealand, in managed isolation in Christchurch
17 December
New community cases: 76 - Auckland (47), Waikato (15), Bay of Plenty (10), Lakes (1), Taranaki (3). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 82. New cases in managed isolation: 3. Cases in hospital: 51. Cases in ICU/HDU: 5. Cases in self-isolation: 538 in Auckland, 68 in Waikato. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 94% (first dose); 90% (second dose).
18 December 2021-16 January 2022
New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa summer hiatus
The community outbreak of Delta variant cases continued slowly to wane, while the number of COVID-19 cases in border facilities rose rapidly, fuelled by the large Omicron outbreaks overseas. Also during this period the first two series of community exposures to Omicron were reported, one from a British DJ, the other from an MIQ worker.
Government says phased border reopening will be delayed until the end of February.
2022
17 January
New community cases: 16 - Auckland (7), Lakes (6), Hawke's Bay (1), Wairarapa (1), West Coast (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 22. New border-related cases: 42. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 34. Cases in hospital: 30. Cases in ICU/HDU: 2. Cases in self-isolation: 190 in Auckland. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 95% (first dose); 93% (second dose).
From today, over-18s can book a booster shot four months since their last vaccine dose.
The COVID-19 paediatric Pfizer vaccine is available from today for children aged 5–11, initially at around 500 vaccination sites.
18 January
New community cases: 14 - Auckland (7), Lakes (6), Wellington (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 21. New border cases: 30. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 33. Cases in hospital: 30. Cases in ICU/HDU: 2. Cases in self-isolation in Auckland: 165. Vaccination rate of eligible people: 95% (first dose); 93% (second dose).
The first case of community transmission of Omicron in New Zealand has been reported - a household contact of the MIQ-worker case, who was in isolation when they tested positive.
19 January
New community cases: 24 - Northland (1), Auckland (14), Waikato (1), Lakes (5), Bay of Plenty (1), Hawke’s Bay (1), Hutt Valley (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 21. New border-related cases: 56. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 35. Cases in hospital: 24. Cases in ICU/HDU: 2. Cases in self-isolation: 140 in Auckland.
Two household contacts and a work colleague of the Omicron-positive MIQ worker have symptoms but have returned negative COVID-19 test results. These are in addition to the one household contact who has returned a positive result. The worker's virus has been linked by genome testing to a case in the Stamford Plaza border facility.
20 January
New community cases: 39 - Auckland (21), Lakes (14), Hawke’s Bay (2), Canterbury (1), West Coast (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 22. New border-related cases: 46. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 37. Cases in hospital: 21. Cases in ICU/HDU: 1. Cases in self-isolation: 142 in Auckland. Vaccination: 52 per cent of those eligible have received a booster dose.
Omicron: There have been 440 Omicron cases and 32 of Delta detected at the border since 1 December.
COVID-19 Protection Framework level change: Northland, currently at red, joins the rest of the country at orange at 11.59 tonight.
21 January
New community cases: 23 - Auckland (11), Waikato (1), Lakes (8), *Hawke’s Bay (2), *Nelson Marlborough (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 22. New border-related cases: 44. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 40. Cases in hospital: 18. Cases in ICU/HDU: 1. Cases in self-isolation: 147 in Auckland. Vaccination: 54 per cent of those eligible have received a booster dose.
Isolation: The case isolation time has been temporarily increased to 14 days (from 10 days) because of the infectiousness of Omicron. The isolation time for close contacts has been increased to 10 days, from seven.
The Palmerston North case who tested positive on 19 January (after having been released from MIQ on 16 January on the strength of negative tests) has been determined to have Omicron and is linked to border cases in Auckland, not in Christchurch as initially thought.
22 January
New community cases: 43 - Auckland (19), Waikato (4), Lakes (6), Hawke’s Bay (6), Nelson Marlborough (8). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 25. New border-related cases: 41. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 41. Cases in hospital: 8. Cases in ICU/HDU: 0. Cases in home-isolation: 158 in Auckland, 22 in Waikato. Vaccination: 54 per cent of those eligible have received a booster dose.
23 January
New community cases: 24 - Northland (2), Auckland (16), Waikato (1), Lakes (5). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 25. New border-related cases: 47. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 39. Cases in hospital: 8. Cases in ICU/HDU: 0. Cases in home-isolation: 154 in Auckland, 15 in Waikato.
The nine Nelson Marlborough cases reported yesterday have Omicron, and a 10th case from the same family household has been confirmed. The family were in Auckland 13-16 January where members went to a wedding, a funeral and entertainment venues. A flight attendant who was on one of their flights and four later flights has tested positive. A guest at one of the family events has tested positive.
COVID-19 Protection Framework level change: All of New Zealand goes to red, from orange, at 11.59 tonight because the risk of undetected community spread of Omicron is now considered high, owing to the findings connected with the Nelson Marlborough (Motueka) family and their contacts.
24 January
New community cases: 25 - Northland (4), Auckland (13), Waikato (4), Lakes (1), MidCentral (1), Nelson Tasman (2). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 27. New border-related cases: 50. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 43. Cases in hospital: 10. Cases in ICU/HDU: 0. Cases in home-isolation: 157 in Auckland, 19 in Waikato. Vaccination: 57 per cent of those due for a booster shot have received it.
Community transmission and the "January Omicron Cluster": Eight new cases today (two in Nelson/Tasman, five in Auckland and one in Palmerston North) for a total of 19 cases. A COVID-19-positive worker at Summerset by the Park Rest Home in south Auckland is connected to the Omicron outbreak.
25 January
New community cases: 25 - Northland (1), Auckland (18), Bay of Plenty (2), Lakes (2), MidCentral (1), Nelson Marlborough (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 29. New border-related cases: 37. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 38. Cases in hospital: 10. Cases in ICU/HDU: 0. Cases in home-isolation: 164 in Auckland. Vaccination: 20 per cent of children aged 5-11 have received one dose.
The January Omicron Cluster: 10 new community cases, including two in Tauranga, for a total of 29.
26 January
New community cases: 23 - Northland (1), Auckland (12), Waikato (3), Lakes (5), Capital and Coast (1), Nelson Marlborough (1). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 27. New border-related cases: 36. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 39. Cases in hospital: 6. Cases in ICU/HDU: 0. Cases in home-isolation: 168 in Auckland. Vaccination: 23 per cent of children aged 5-11 have received one dose. Community Omicron case tally stands at 56 cases.
27 January
New community cases: 45 - Auckland (22), Waikato (2), Bay of Plenty (3), Lakes (7), Taranaki (1), Hawke’s Bay (8), Nelson Marlborough (2). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 29. New border-related cases: 51. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 42. Cases in hospital: 5. Cases in ICU/HDU: 1. Cases in home-isolation: 176 in Auckland. Community Omicron case tally stands at 90 cases.
28 January
New community cases: 105 - .Auckland (76), Waikato (5), Tairawhiti (1), Bay of Plenty (9), Lakes (7), Hawke’s Bay (1), MidCentral (1), Nelson Marlborough (2), Canterbury (3). Seven-day rolling average of community cases: 40. New border-related cases: 45. Seven day rolling average of border cases: 41. Cases in hospital: 4. Cases in ICU/HDU: 1. Cases in home-isolation: 206 in Auckland.
This article outlines the evidence-based processes and protocols written by Dee Mangin for the hfam.ca website, which is the basis for the COVID-19 primary care pathway in Ontario, Canada. The information and resources provided here can be adapted and replaced as New Zealand guidance becomes available
Following the onset of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (SSAS), 50 per cent of patients die within one to two years of diagnosis
