MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF
On Monday, the Ministry of Health reported 6,498 cases, which have more than doubled in five days. (File image)
The Ministry of Health incorrectly reported 4,000 additional cases in Friday’s figures.
“A computer glitch that double-counted some cases reported yesterday resulted in today’s case numbers being incorrectly reported as 13,344,” the ministry said.
The correct figure was 9318, which was about the same level as the number of cases reported in the past three days. An additional 275 imported cases were reported – which was also corrected by being initially published as 390 cases.
“The computer malfunction has now been resolved.”
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† Covid-19: 8,609 new community cases, 20 reported deaths, including children under 10 years old
† Covid-19: 8454 new cases of intercourse, 24 reported deaths, including children under 10 years old
† Covid-19: 766 southern cases, one death
There were 587 hospitalizations and 23 people with the virus had died, while nine people are in intensive care. Eighteen of these deaths occurred in July; four others took place in May and June, the ministry said earlier.
Michael Plank, a University of Canterbury professor and Covid-19 modeler, said “it was pretty clear” that the second wave had arrived with the spread of the new variant, BA.5.
Plank said the “consistent increase” in the seven-day moving average over the past few weeks was a good indication of the second wave.
On Tuesday, case numbers increased by more than 3000 in one dayrising from 6498 on Monday to 9629.
The number of new cases grew again on Wednesday, with 10,290 new cases reported.
Plank said it was possible that the number of cases could peak at more than 20,000 a day, just like… the first Omicron wave in March†
Breakfast
Professor Michael Baker warns that “there could be 5,000 deaths a year from this infection”.
What was more concerning about the wave compared to March was the infected age group who were “much, much older” than in the first Omicron wave, he said.
“Deaths and hospitalizations could potentially be higher because of that age demographic.
“Looks like it has the potential to become a pretty significant wave.”
Health officials continued the response to the current Covid-19 outbreak in the community under reviewa ministry spokesman said, and will adjust it as the outbreak and pandemic evolves, and as part of the revival planning.
Of the new cases reported Friday, 334 are reinfections. Reinfections have occurred in a person who reported a case 29 or more days earlier.
With the school holidays starting this weekend, the ministry has reminded people who travel to have plans in place in case they contract Covid-19 or are identified as a contact person in a business household.
Plank said the increase in cases was a good reminder to wear good quality masks indoors and test whether people had symptoms.
The vaccine was also “critical” — whether it was the first or fourth dose.
“A lot of people are eligible for the vaccine… Now is a really good time to start getting it.”
In its updates, the ministry releases a total number of people who have died “with Covid” in a certain period.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the virus killed those people, it just means they tested positive within 28 days of their death or immediately after.
The ministry will later provide more information about the cause of these deaths on its website. You can read how this works here here†
On Thursday, the ministry reported 10,710 new cases and 554 hospitalizations.