Today we are reporting 18,699 new community cases, 853 people in hospital with the virus, and seven additional COVID-19 related deaths.
This is another reminder that the Omicron variant can still cause serious illness and/or death either directly or by its impact on other health conditions.
Getting vaccinated and boosted will help to keep you out of hospital if you catch COVID-19 and could save your life. At this sad time, our thoughts are with the whanau and friends of all those who have died.
COVID-19 related deaths As we have said, we are today reporting the deaths of seven people with COVID-19. Of these deaths, three occurred in the Auckland region, and one each in Bay of Plenty, MidCentral, Wellington and Canterbury.