Covid-19: 103 new cases today; one in Canterbury

There are 103 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has reported.

In a statement, the ministry said the new cases were in Auckland (88), Waikato (9), Bay of Plenty (5) and Rotorua (1).

There was also one new case in Christchurch on Thursday, which will be officially added to the case numbers on Friday.

The person in Christchurch has direct links to a previous Canterbury case and was in isolation during their infectious period.

It is also unlikely there will be any locations of interest in the city.

"We’re reporting one new case in Christchurch today," the ministry said.

"This case was reported after our 9am cut off and will be officially added to the case numbers tomorrow."

One of the new Auckland cases is a staff member at David Lange Carehome in Māngere East. Residents and staff are now being tested.

There are 70 people in hospital with Covid-19, including five in ICU.

There were also two cases reported in managed isolation today.

West Coast takes South Island to 90% first dose milestone

The West Coast has become the 17th DHB to get 90% of its eligible population to receive at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, meaning the entire South Island has now reached the milestone.

Northland, Tairawhiti and Whanganui are the last three DHBs to hit 90% first doses. The latter two are a few hundred off and will likely hit 90% by the end of the week.

Northland continues to lag behind the rest of the country, needing just under 5000 people to get their first doses in order to reach 90%.

More than 90% of Māori in Canterbury are now at least partially vaccinated. Canterbury has become the third DHB to achieve this milestone for Māori.

There were 22,859 total vaccine doses administered yesterday, including 3786 first doses and 9339 second doses.

To date, 94% of eligible people in New Zealand have had their first dose and 88% are fully vaccinated.

So far five DHBs have 90% of their eligible population double vaccinated, these are Auckland, Waitemata, Capital and Coast, Canterbury and Southern. 

Case details

Today, there are 88 new cases being reported in Auckland.

Health and welfare providers are now supporting 3,187 people to isolate at home, including 863 cases.

There are nine new cases being reported in Waikato today.

Six new locations of interest were confirmed in Te Kūiti yesterday.

Today there are five new cases in Bay of Plenty to report – all are in the Tauranga area.

Three are linked to previously reported cases and links with the two remaining cases are currently being investigated.

All five cases are isolating at home.

There is also one new case in Rotorua in the Lakes DHB area.

They are linked to a previously reported case and are isolating in managed accommodation with public health oversight.

There are 70 people with Covid-19 in hospital. Of these, five are in ICU or HDU.

More than 4 million My Vaccine Passes have now been issued. It is important to note than some people have more than one pass if they have it installed on several separate devices.

Anti-vax GP issuing fake vaccination exemption certificated

Health officials authorities are now investigating after Canterbury GP Dr Jonie Girouard was snapped providing her patients with fake medical certificates to be used to get out of getting the Pfizer vaccine.

The health ministry is now investigating the claim, which was brought to light after a Newshub reporter went undercover. There are now signs that Police will be involved soon.

The NZ Medical Association chairman, Dr Alistair Humphrey, said that on the face of it, it looked to be fraudulent practise.

"I think there's a strong case to be answered here for fraud and I think the Police should be investigating," he told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning.

The only doctor in the country who can give such an exemption at this point is the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

And employers were warned that anyone who provides a note from a doctor should look out for the official letterhead belonging to the Ministry of Health.

- RNZ & NZ Herald