18 Apr 2022

Covid-19 update: 6242 new community cases, 11 deaths

2:03 pm on 18 April 2022

Another 11 people have died from Covid-19, and 6242 more community cases have been detected, health authorities say.

Covid-19 outbreak. Healthcare worker. Nurse working in intensive care unit. Mechanical ventilation system in the background .

(File photo). Photo: 123RF

The Ministry of Health said the seven-day rolling average of case numbers was on the decline, with today's seven-day rolling average at 7986 - last Monday it was 10,169.

There are 553 people are currently in hospital with the virus, including 23 in intensive care.

The number of new cases identified at the border is 41.

There are 55,869 active community cases today.

Yesterday, there were ten new deaths reported, and 5933 new community cases reported.

Air New Zealand said it has been flooded with calls from people interested in travelling as the borders open.

Many people want to check safety precautions and what documentation and other preparations they need to make for travelling under Orange restrictions, and the airline said it had brought in extra staff to cope with the demand.

A report released by the Cancer Control Agency has shown cancer diagnosis and treatments both fell during the pandemic, with Māori and Pacific peoples most affected.

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