Covid-19: 90 new community cases
There are 90 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today - 71 in Auckland, nine in Waikato, five in Bay of Plenty, three in Northland, and one each in Lakes and Nelson-Tasman.
Seventy-four people are in hospital - six of which are in ICU. A border-related case remains under investigation in the Southern DHB area.
The Ministry of Health revealed the cases in a statement released this afternoon.
A staff member at Ellerslie Gardens Aged Residential Care facility in Auckland has tested positive for Covid-19.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service and Auckland DHB staff are supporting the residents and staff at the privately-owned facility. Testing is being undertaken with residents and staff as part of the outbreak management plan.
"There continues to be a daily review of testing numbers and testing locations to ensure good coverage of risk areas," a spokesperson said.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 3,112 people to isolate at home, including 813 cases.
The virus has been detected again in a wastewater sample taken in Tairāwhiti Gisborne on December 6. This follows positive detections on December 1 and 2.
Two further samples will be collected this week.
"Public Health Officials are not aware of any recovered cases in the region who may be shedding the virus. A third positive detection strongly indicates that there is at least one undetected case in the community."
Anyone living in the region with any symptoms that could be Covid-19 - no matter how mild – is encouraged to get a test. Testing is available this week at the drive-through at 110 Peel Street until 4pm today, and between 9am to 12pm Thursday and Friday.
