89 new cases in outbreak

There are 89 new cases of Covid-19 in the Delta community outbreak, in Auckland, Waikato and Christchurch. Of the new cases, 83 are in Auckland, four are in Waikato, and two were reported in Christchurch.

As of 10am yesterday, 39 of the new cases had been epidemiologically linked to the outbreak – including 26 household contacts. Fifty cases were unlinked.

One further case in Auckland is an MIQ worker and is being investigated to determine whether it is a community or border-related case.

Christchurch will remain at alert level 2, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced yesterday afternoon.

No further locations of interest or contacts have been identified in the Nelson and Marlborough region following the discovery of the case in Blenheim at the weekend. There are also no new confirmed cases in Northland.

There are 37 people in Auckland hospitals, five of whom are in intensive care or high-dependency care units. This is down from 41 on Wednesday.

Slightly more than half of the new cases reported on Wednesday (38 of 74) were infectious while in the community.