11,063 community cases; 622 hospitalisations; 23 in ICU; 16 deaths

Today we are reporting 11,063 community cases, 622 hospitalisations and 16 deaths.

The seven-day rolling average of case numbers continues to decline, with today's seven-day rolling average at 9,731– last Tuesday it was 12,785.

The number of reported community cases is expected to continue to fluctuate day to day and is usually lower over the weekend with less reporting of results and testing.

There are three actions that everyone can do to help protect themselves and others.

Firstly – be up to date with vaccinations, including a booster if you’ve not yet had one.

Secondly – wear a mask. Masks are still required in many indoor settings. A good rule of thumb is to wear a mask indoors whenever you’re not at home.

And thirdly – stay home and avoid others if you’re unwell.

11 million vaccinations

The 11 millionth COVID-19 vaccination was administered yesterday, representing another significant milestone for the vaccine rollout.

This achievement is a testament to the hard work of health providers throughout Aotearoa who continue to ensure as many New Zealanders as possible can get a COVID-19 vaccination, whether is a first dose, second dose, or booster.

If you or your whānau are due for a COVID-19 vaccination, please make an appointment today.

COVID-19 deaths

Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 16 people with COVID-19. The deaths of all 16 people were reported in the past 24 hours.

These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 516 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 13.

Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today, six were from the Auckland region, one was from Waikato, two were from Whanganui, one was from MidCentral, three were from the Wellington region, two were from Canterbury and one was from Southern.

One person was aged in their 30s, two were aged in their 50s, three in their 70s, six in their 80s, and four were over 90.

Five were female and 11 were male.

This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts are with them. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.

 Vaccinations administered in New Zealand

• Vaccines administered to date: 4,025,980 first doses; 3,976,162 second doses; 31,582 third primary doses; 2,606,617 booster doses: 260,219 paediatric first doses and 101,448 paediatric second doses 
• Vaccines administered yesterday: 47 first doses; 137 second doses; 21 third primary doses; 1,640 booster doses; 68 paediatric first doses and 834 paediatric second doses

People vaccinated

• All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,055,826 first dose (96.4%); 4,005,406 second dose (95.2%), 2,603,933 boosted (72.7% of those eligible) 
• Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 520,679 first dose (91.2%); 503,540 second dose (88.2%), 231,936 boosted (57.2% of those eligible) 
• Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,706 first dose (98.3%); 276,732 second dose (96.5%), 138,321 boosted (59.3% of those eligible) 
• 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 257,866 first dose (54.1%); 99,164 second dose (20.8%) 
• 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 40,617 first dose (35.1%); 11,274 second dose (9.8%) 
• 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,379 first dose (47.3%); 5,465 second dose (11.1%) 

Note that the number for “People vaccinated” differs slightly from “Vaccines administered” as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas.

Vaccination rates for all DHBs*

• Northland DHB: first dose (90.1%); second dose (88%); boosted (69.5%) 
• Auckland Metro DHB: first dose (97.2%); second dose (96.2%); boosted (71.5%) 
• Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (68.4%) 
• Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (67.6%) 
• Lakes DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (91.4%); boosted (68.2%) 
• MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (74%) 
• Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (90.9%); boosted (68%) 
• Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.4%); boosted (73.3%) 
• Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97.1%); second dose (95.5%); boosted (71.7%) 
• Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.2%); boosted (69.8%) 
• Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95%); boosted (74.6%) 
• Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (81.2%) 
• Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (76.8%) 
• Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (75.2%) 
• West Coast DHB: first dose (92.7%); second dose (91.2%); boosted (73.1%) 
• Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.7%); second dose (98.8%); boosted (75.9%) 
• South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.8%); second dose (93.8%); boosted (76.3%) 
• Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.4%); boosted (74.8%)

*Partially and second doses percentages are for those 12+. Boosted percentages are for 18+ who have become eligible 3 months after having their second dose

Percentages are based on 2020 HSU data - a health-specific population denominator. As the population continues to change over time, coverage rates can exceed 100%.

Hospitalisations

• Cases in hospital: total number 622: Northland: 29; Waitemata: 99; Counties Manukau: 100; Auckland: 90; Waikato: 63; Bay of Plenty: 35; Lakes: 7; Tairāwhiti: 3; Hawke’s Bay: 19; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 10; MidCentral: 26; Wairarapa: 3; Hutt Valley: 16; Capital and Coast: 15; Nelson Marlborough: 13; Canterbury: 47; South Canterbury: 6; West Coast: 1; Southern: 29
• *Average age of current hospitalisations: 58
• Cases in ICU or HDU: 23
• Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (31 cases / 10%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (5 cases / 2%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (46 cases / 15%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (61 cases / 20%); unknown (166 cases / 53%)

*Please note the average age of current hospitalisations is for the Northern Region admissions only at this stage. This data is recorded and extracted from the same source as the vaccination status of patients in Northern Region hospitals.

We are currently working on a data solution which would include the average age of current hospitalisations from additional DHBs.

Cases

• Seven day rolling average of community cases: 9,731
• Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 12,785
• Number of new community cases: 11,063
• Number of new community cases (PCR): 203
• Number of new community cases (RAT): 10,860
• Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (559), Auckland (1,984), Waikato (965), Bay of Plenty (536), Lakes (214), Hawke’s Bay (474), MidCentral (534), Whanganui (225), Taranaki (370), Tairāwhiti (111), Wairarapa (137, Capital and Coast (683), Hutt Valley (355), Nelson Marlborough (404), Canterbury (1,813), South Canterbury (250), Southern (1,331), West Coast (108), Unknown (10)
• Number of new cases identified at the border: 47
• Number of active community cases (total): 68,096 cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered) 
• Confirmed cases (total): 784,285

Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.

Tests

• Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 1,885
• Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 10,860
• PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 2,951
• Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 8 April 2022): 3.7 million.