Watch Live: Government to outline three-phase approach as Omicron cases grow
Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will provide an update on the Government's three-phase plan to manage the Omicron variant.
Case Numbers:
There are 23 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, with the total number of Omicron cases now at 56.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said today's community cases are in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, and Nelson Marlborough.
They also announced one case in Taranaki and two cases in Nelson Marlborough that were notified after the Ministry’s reporting deadline. They will be formally added to the numbers tomorrow.
To date, there are 56 community cases of Covid-19 that have been confirmed as an Omicron case through whole-genome sequencing or are a suspected Omicron case because they have an identified link to a confirmed Omicron case. Whole-genome sequencing is underway for all suspected Omicron cases to confirm the variant.
These include 44 cases linked directly or indirectly, to a family event and other associated events in Auckland on the weekend of January 15 and 16. The additional 15 cases being reported today are in Auckland, Taranaki, and Nelson Marlborough.
In addition, there is a total of 12 cases linked to the three border workers reported earlier this month with confirmed or suspected Omicron, an increase of six.
Including the border workers themselves, there are now a total of eight cases associated with the MIQ border worker first reported on January 16, and three associated with the Auckland airport worker first reported on January 21. There have been no additional cases linked to Auckland airport worker first reported on January 19.
The Ministry said the number of cases and contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron and as we learn more from case interviews.
