Today we are reporting 20,989 new community cases, 856 people in hospital with the virus, and seven additional COVID-19 related deaths.
This is highest number of deaths reported in a single day since the start of the pandemic and is a reminder that the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus 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. COVID-19 related deaths can lag behind a rise in cases and hospitalisations and an increase in deaths was not unexpected given the high number of cases over the past two weeks However, it important to remember that each of these deaths represents significant loss for family and loved ones.
Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with all their families and friends at this sad time. DHBs have been planning and preparing for managing COVID-19 and the higher number of cases in the community, including managing more people in hospital.