Nationwide, there were 7,612 new cases and a further 22 deaths related to the virus on Monday, the health ministry reported.
In addition to the six deaths reported in the DHB area of Canterbury/West Coast, five of the people who died from the virus were from the Auckland region, two from Waikato, one from Bay of Plenty, three from MidCentral, one from Whanganui, and four were from the Wellington area. Five were in their 60s, two were in their 70s, seven were in their 80s and eight were over 90. Nine were women and 13 were men.
Today’s deaths include one person who died in March, two who died in April, two in May and two in June. They were reported after the cause of death assessment was completed.
The total number of publicly reported deaths of people with Covid is now 1,849 and the seven-day moving average is 23.
There are 797 people in New Zealand hospitals with the virus, including 20 in intensive care units, 138 in Canterbury/West Coast DHB hospitals and 10 in South Canterbury hospitals.
The other hospital cases are in Northland: 27; Waitemata: 135; Provinces of Manukau: 54; Auckland: 91; Waikato: 64; Bay of Plenty: 43; Lakes: 19; Hawke’s Bay: 32; Middle Central: 31; Whanganui: 20; Taranaki: 13; Tairawhiti: 6; Wairarapa: 7; Capital & Coast/Hutt: 55; Nelson Marlborough: 13; and South: 39.
The national seven-day moving average of new community cases is 9689.
There are now 10,416 active cases in Canterbury and 67,774 in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Pharmac has expanded access to three Covid-19 treatments as Omicron’s second wave takes hold and wards fill up with sick people.
RNZ reported that the agency’s medical director, Dr David Hughes, said the antivirals Paxlovid, Lagevrio and Vekury reduced the risk of serious illness, which would help ease the strain on the health system.
The change applies to 400,000 people at risk of serious illness from Covid-19, including those 75 and older and those who have already been in intensive care due to the virus.
However, GPs are concerned that the use of the antiviral treatments could lead to more people with comorbidities requiring hospital treatment.
General Practice Owners Association, president, Dr Tim Malloy, told RNZ that while the intent was good, there were real risks associated with the treatments.
“Our biggest concern in primary care is, of course, that that could create even more work.”
Another risk was that some of the antiviral formula could interact poorly with other common medications, he said.
It was important that patients with comorbidities did not change their current treatments to take the antivirals, Malloy said.
There are also concerns about declining vaccination coverage.
Hauora Tairāwhiti, formerly the Tairawhiti District Health, is advocating that people be vaccinated or given a boost.
“We are starting to see vaccinations decline, which is not ideal as we expect a gradual increase in transmission due to changes in people’s behaviour, for example older people who have more contact with people who have the virus now cross the border for Aotearoa opens up more and the increase in social mixing.”
“Now is the time, more than ever, to get vaccinated or boosted if you qualify, to wear a mask when you are out and about and to stay home if you are not feeling well. feels.”
It expected hospitals to come under even more pressure in the coming months as RSV and other respiratory illnesses return to pre-pandemic levels.
Over the weekend, the ministry again reminded people to wear masks to stop the spread of Covid, saying it was one of the best measures to reduce the transmission of infectious respiratory diseases.
“Even if you have been fully vaccinated or have had Covid-19, it is important to continue wearing a face mask to keep you, your whānau and your community safe.”
Masks should be worn on public transport, at transport hubs such as airports and bus stations, in public places such as museums and libraries, when visiting health services and in shops.
Masking was especially important around more vulnerable people, especially those in aged care.