Six new cases in Waikato

There are six new community cases of Covid-19 in Waikato, according to the Ministry of Health, all in Hamilton.

The region would remain in alert level 3 until at least Monday but some restrictions would be eased, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said during the 1pm briefing yesterday. The new cases bring the Waikato’s total during this outbreak to 97.

Waikato District Health Board is continuing to carry out testing throughout the region to determine any undetected community spread of Covid-19.

‘‘The Waikato remains at alert level 3, however from 11.55pm tonight we will start to ease restrictions a little while we continue to stamp out the outbreak,’’ Hipkins said.

‘‘People in parts of Waikato will remain in alert level 3 but will be able to meet for outdoor gatherings between two households with a maximum of 10 people with physical distancing between the two households.’’

Recreational activities will be expanded to include golf, hunting, boating, fishing and scuba diving with a maximum of 10 people involved, he said. Face-to-face appointments with a number of health providers can restart and early learning services will be able to open with a maximum of 10 children for each bubble.

People must stay within the alert level 3 boundary.

‘‘It is the same step down period we already have operating in Auckland.

‘‘However, the boundary between Auckland and parts of the Waikato that are in alert level 3 will remain in place. Most people will not be permitted to travel.’’

He said that while the cases in the Waikato were predominantly confined to a network of people who had not ‘‘interacted in mainstream settings such as workplaces’’, cases were still creeping into the Waikato.

Hipkins said the latest Waikato cases were ‘‘in a more difficult to reach part of the community’’ in terms of contact tracing. But he said that did not mean they were being uncooperative. Hipkins would not elaborate or provide specifics.

Alert level 3 in Waikato will be reviewed on Monday alongside Auckland.

Waikato’s community cases of Covid-19 reported over the past week:

Tuesday, October 19: Seven new cases reported, 52 total cases in the region. Wednesday, October 20: Four new cases reported, 56 total cases in the region Thursday, October 21:

Eight new cases reported, 64 total cases in the region Friday, October 22: Nine new cases reported, 73 total cases in the region Saturday, October 23:

Eight new cases reported, 81 total cases in the region Sunday, October 24: Two new cases reported, 83 total cases in the region Monday, October 25: Four new cases reported, 87 total cases in the region Tuesday, October 26: Four new cases reported, 91 total cases in the region Wednesday, October 27: Six new cases reported, 97 total cases.