Negative wastewater test results will be a key signal the Delta outbreak is over and could make the difference between New Zealanders having to wait for up to two weeks with no new community cases before moving out of lockdown, experts say.

Ahead of a potential easing of restrictions on Monday, a two-day decline in infections has stoked cautious optimism the Delta outbreak is being brought under control.

On Friday there were 28 new Covid-19 cases in the community. Twenty-seven were in Auckland and one was in Wellington.

That takes the number of cases in the current outbreak to 764. Thirty-three cases have recovered.

There are 43 cases in hospital. Nine of these patients are in ICU, or high dependency units.

Meanwhile, 89,073 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were administered yesterday. Of those, 64,000 were first doses.

Northland is now in alert level 3, with the rest of the country south of the Auckland-Waikato border. Auckland remains in alert level 4.

Global toll

Covid-19 cases have passed 219 million globally, and more than 4.5 million people have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The United States continues to lead the recorded global toll, with 39.6 million cases and 644,844 deaths.

India has seen 32.9 million cases and 439,895 deaths, while Brazil has seen 20.8m cases and 581,914 deaths.

More than 5.4 billion vaccine doses have been administered around the world.

What should I do?

Anyone who wants to get tested can find their local testing centres by visiting the Ministry of Health website.

Quarantine-free travel from Australia has been suspended.

The country outside of Auckland is at alert level 3, with masks mandatory for people over the age of 12 when accessing essential services such as supermarkets.

People should use the Covid-19 tracer app.

If you are sick, call your GP before you visit, or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

To avoid contracting and spreading the virus, wash your hands properly, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow and throw tissues away immediately.

Reach out, find support from people who care, connect with your community or help a neighbour in need.