There are 6984 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand today.
The Ministry of Health also reported a further eight Covid-related deaths, including a person from Canterbury and one from South Canterbury.
The deaths announced today include one person in their 50s, two in their 70s, three were in their 80s and two over 90s.
The other deaths included one from Waikato, three from the Wellington region, and two were from the southern region.
The total number of deaths reported publicly from people with Covid-19 is 1 529 and the rolling average of seven days is 12.
There are 417 people in hospital with the virus, including seven in intensive care, 41 in Canterbury DHB hospitals and three in South Canterbury hospitals.
The other cases in the hospital are in Noordland: 3; Waitemata: 88; Provinces of Manukau: 40; Auckland: 55; Waikato: 32; Bay of Plenty: 10; More: 20; Rate: 0; Hawke’s Bay: 14; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 3; Center: 12; Wairarapa: 9; Hutt Valley: 11; Capital and Coast: 30; Nelson Marlborough: 9; West Coast: 0; and Southern: 26.
This time last week, there were 353 people in the hospital with the virus. The average age of cases in the hospital is 63.
The seven-day moving average of community affairs is 6422. The seven-day moving average of community affairs a week ago was 4817.
The total number of active cases in New Zealand is now 44,943.
The ministry today warned that traditional winter illnesses are circulating along with Covid in the community, putting significant pressure on the health system.
“Health services have planned for a challenging winter and are working regionally to manage capacity and demand, prioritize urgent care and deliver as much planned care as possible,” the ministry said.
“It helps our health services if everyone does their part to help us get through the winter. The best thing New Zealanders can do to ensure they and their families do not end up in hospital is to keep up to date. be of their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. “
The government this week made free flu vaccines available to an additional 800,000 New Zealanders and a second Covid-19 booster injection will be available to older New Zealanders.
“The ministry would like to acknowledge the hard work of health workers across the motu, especially in this time of significant pressure on the system. The work you do is important and appreciated,” the ministry said.
“We call on all New Zealanders, if they do experience delays in access to health services, to be patient and friendly with their local health workers.
“Often, delays are due to health workers first treating someone more seriously ill.”