Covid-19: No new cases for second day in a row

There are zero new Covid-19 in New Zealand for the second day in a row, Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says.

The total number of cases in New Zealand has decreased by one to 1486 after a probable case was re-classed, he said.

Having zero new cases for a second day is "very encouraging" and all New Zealanders should feel pleased with their efforts, Bloomfield said.

"I certainly do."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Bloomfield gave the latest Covid-19 update this afternoon.

The total number of confirmed or probable cases stands at 1486, but the number of active cases dropped to 191, while the number of people in hospital dropped to four.

The number of cases in the Canterbury District Health Board area remains 163.

There are 17 cases in the South Canterbury area.

Because of the long tail of the virus, Ardern urged Kiwis to double-down.

The worst thing we could do is "blow the whistle too early". She urged Kiwis to continue to stay the course.

Bloomfield said there are 179 people in quarantine across the country.

"Don't do anything that snatches our potential victory at this point."

High Court case allowing son to see dying father

It was revealed yesterday that a man in managed self-isolation went to the High Court after the Ministry of Health refused to allow him an exemption to see his dying father.

The judge overturned the Ministry's position and the man was able to spend 36 hours with his very ill father.

As a result of the legal action, Bloomfield said he's asked a team to review the current cases.

The review started today and will be completed as soon as possible, Bloomfield said. It would take into account the High Court ruling.

PM joining the Aussie Cabinet meeting

Ardern yesterday announced she had accepted Australian leader Scott Morrison's invitation to video call into his ministerial Cabinet meeting today.

Australians and New Zealanders travel across the ditch more than they do anywhere else, Ardern said.

She pointed out that New Zealand is Australia's second largest source of tourists after China, with 1.2 million visitors last year and 1.6 million Aussies visited New Zealand.

"We both stand to benefit from getting travel up and running again."

Ardern said there are around 75,000 Australians in NZ and more than half a million Kiwis in Australia.

"We're also Australia's largest export market by number of exporting firms ... so the case for increasing economic relations when safe is clear."

Ardern said any travel agreement between Australia and New Zealand would prioritise safety.

She said the meeting is still underway but said the discussion was only possible as a result of the world-leading results on both sides of the Tasman to get the virus under control.

"I do think we should both be proud of the efforts that have been made."

An Australia-New Zealand bubble would mean people from both countries being confident of travelling between the nations without having to quarantine - but was still some time off, she said.

New Zealand has been urged to include the Pacific Islands in any proposed trans-Tasman bubble.

Ardern has said the government is focused on travel between New Zealand and Australia rather than with other Pacific nations for now, because of the "huge risk" if the coronavirus found its way into Pacific Island nations that are yet untouched by the virus.

Summary

As at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020
 Total       Change in last 24 hours
Number of confirmed cases in New Zealand1,1370
Number of probable cases349-1
Number of confirmed and probable cases1,486-1
Number of cases currently in hospital40
Number of recovered cases1,30226
Number of deaths200

About the data:

  • Source: This is provisional information taken daily at 9am from a live database, EpiSurv (ESR) and is likely to change as more details are provided about individual cases.
  • Confirmed cases are people that have had a positive laboratory test. For more details please refer to Case definition of COVID-19 infection.
  • A probable case is one without a positive laboratory result, but which is treated like a confirmed case based on its exposure history and clinical symptoms. 
  • Recovered cases are people who had the virus, are at least 10 days since onset and have not exhibited symptoms for 48 hours, and have been cleared by the health professional responsible for their monitoring.

Total cases by DHB

As at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020

Total cases of COVID-19 by DHB

Map showing number of cases by DHB - see data table following.

Total cases by DHB, as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020
DHBActiveRecoveredDeceasedTotalChange in last 24 hours
Auckland24153 177-1
Bay of Plenty146 470
Canterbury29123111630
Capital and Coast5882950
Counties Manukau15112 1270
Hawke's Bay1133 440
Hutt Valley416 200
Lakes016 160
Mid Central130 310
Nelson Marlborough346 490
Northland424 280
South Canterbury413 170
Southern920522160
Tairāwhiti04 40
Taranaki016 160
Waikato2116411860
Wairarapa08 80
Waitematā3319232280
West Coast04150
Whanganui09 90
Total1641302201486-1

Total cases by DHB in hospital

Source: DHB survey as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020
DHBTotal cases
Auckland2
Counties Manukau1
South Canterbury1
Total4

Note: No cases are in ICU as at 9:00am 5 May 2020.


Epidemic curve

Total confirmed and probable cases over timeTotal confirmed and probable cases over time, as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020

 

New confirmed and probable cases over timeNew confirmed and probable cases over time, as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020

Total cases by age

Total cases of COVID-19 in NZ by ageTotal cases by age as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020

 

Total cases by age as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020
Age GroupActiveRecoveredDeceasedTotal
0 to 9529 34
10 to 197112 119
20 to 2922334 356
30 to 3927198 225
40 to 4927191 218
50 to 5925219 244
60 to 69211512174
70+306818116
Total1641302201486

Total cases by gender

Total cases of COVID-19 by genderTotal cases by gender as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020

Total cases by ethnicity

Total cases by ethnicityTotal cases by ethnicity as at 9.00 am, 5 May 2020

Note: Prioritised ethnicity classification is used for reporting purposes. Each case is allocated to a single ethnic group based on the ethnic groups they have identified with, which are, in order of priority: Māori, Pacific Peoples, Asian, MELAA (Middle Eastern / Latin American / African) and European/Other. This means that if a person identifies as being Māori and New Zealand European, the person is counted as Māori.

View a detailed break down of testing rates by ethnicity and DHB region.

- RNZ, NZ Herald