22 Oct 2021

Covid-19 updates: How the day unfolded

5:42 pm on 22 October 2021

Covid-19 has spread across Auckland's boder again, with two new cases reported in Northland today, while the total number of cases reached record levels. See how the day's Covid-19 news unfolded with RNZ's live blog.

In a statement earlier this afternoon, the ministry said the two cases - who are isolating near Kaikohe - are contacts of a recently diagnosed case in Auckland.

"They are not linked to the earlier reported cases who visited Northland."

The ministry said they recently travelled to the Kaikohe area from Auckland and this was permitted travel under Alert Level 3.

"The individuals were tested on 20 October. They were not included in today's case numbers as their test results were received after the Ministry's daily reporting period."

The Parua Bay Tavern near Whangārei has also posted on Facebook saying that a family contact of a staff member has tested positive for Covid-19.

The bar and restaurant says it will be closed while Ministry of Health guidelines are followed. All staff are in isolation and getting tested.

The tavern, the Ministry of Health and the Northland District Health Board have not responded to RNZ's requests for direct comment.

More than 5000 people have now tested positive for Covid-19 in New Zealand since the pandemic began, with almost half coming from the current Delta outbreak.

There were 129 new community cases today, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases recorded in New Zealand to 5090. There have been 2389 cases in the current community outbreak.

Earlier today, the government announced details of its Covid-19 Protection Framework, involving the roll-out of a 'traffic-light' system once all DHBs hit 90 percent full vaccination rates.

See how the day's Covid-19 news unfolded with RNZ's live blog:

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