15 Nov 2021

Covid-19 update: 173 new cases - plus one in Wairarapa

2:13 pm on 15 November 2021

There are 173 new community cases of Covid-19 today - 163 in Auckland, 7 in Waikato, 2 in Northland and 1 in Lakes District - plus one found in Wairarapa that came in too late for today's official tally.

coronavirus concept. Generic respiratory virus, concept of infection and prevention, health. 3d render.

Photo: 123RF

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the Wairarapa case came in after 9am and was in Masterton.

"Local public health officials believe this case was found early in the course of their infection. They are carrying out interviews with the person today to identify any close contacts and exposure events.

"People in Wairarapa are advised to check the Ministry's website for any locations of interest and if they have symptoms, even if they are mild and they are vaccinated, get a free COVID-19 test at your nearest medical practice."

The Lakes District case was found in Taupō and the individual was a household contact of an existing case. That takes the area's outbreak to six cases.

Northland's two new cases were liked to known cases.

In Waikato, three of the cases were from Ōtorohanga, two from Hamilton, one from Kawhia, and one from Huntly. Five of today's cases were linked.

"One of the unlinked cases is in Huntly and undergoes regular surveillance testing so isn't thought to explain the recent positive COVID-19 detection in wastewater in the area," the Ministry of Health said.

"However, interviews with the case today will also help discover any other potential cases in the area."

There are 90 people in hospital with the coronavirus - seven are in ICU.

There were 14,638 first and second vaccine doses administered yesterday, made up of 4645 first doses and 9993 second doses.

To date, 90 percent of New Zealanders have had their first dose and 81 percent are fully vaccinated.

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