There are two new cases of Covid-19 in the Bay of Plenty DHB region and another in the Lakes DHB reported among the 173 cases across New Zealand.

It takes the total number of cases in the Bay of Plenty to 40 in the current outbreak.

Of the Bay of Plenty cases one is based in the Tauranga area and is a close contact of a previously confirmed case. They're already in isolation.

The second person being reported today returned a positive result after receiving a test in Tauranga, so is being included in the Bay of Plenty case numbers. However, they usually live in Waikato. The person will be transferred safely back to their home in Waikato.

'The spread of Covid-19 in the Bay of Plenty is another reminder to get tested if you're feeling unwell and get your first dose of the vaccine if you haven't already,” says a MOH statement.

Details of testing stations in Bay of Plenty can be found on the Healthpoint website.

There is one new case to report in Lakes, based in Rotorua.

The case is a close contact of a previously reported case and has been in isolation.

'There is good testing capacity across the region with dedicated community testing centres in Taupô, and Rotorua,” says a MOH statement.

See healthpoint.co.nz for locations and opening times. Testing is also available at a number of medical centres and Hauora Mâori health providers.

Across New Zealand there are new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes and Canterbury. The case reported in Canterbury today came in after the MOH 9am cut off and will be officially added to case numbers tomorrow.

There are no additional cases to report today in Wairarapa, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, MidCentral or Taranaki.

One previously reported community case has been reclassified to a border case and so the net increase is 172 community cases.

Regional updates
'We're asking anyone in the following regions with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if you're vaccinated,” says a MOH spokesperson.

'Please remain isolated until you return a negative test result. And if you're not vaccinated, your DHB or local health provider will have plenty of opportunities to make this happen.”

Northland
There is one new case to report in Northland today. This is a child who is linked to an Auckland case who has been isolating.

A case in Ruakaka reported yesterday has now been linked. Anyone living in or near Ruakaka with symptoms that could be Covid-19 is urged to get a test.

In response to the Ruakaka case, a pop up testing site is opening this afternoon at the Ruakaka Racecourse.

The pop-up site is open at the following times:

9am until 3pm today
9am until 3pm Saturday
10am until 2pm Sunday
9am until 3pm Monday

Testing and vaccination sites open in Northland can be found on the Northland DHB website.

New locations of interest in Northland continue to be added to the Ministry website

Auckland
Today, there are 154 new cases to report in Auckland. 

'There continues to be daily reviews of testing numbers and testing locations to ensure good coverage of risk areas.,” says a MOH statement.

Health staff are now supporting 4,058 people to isolate at home around Auckland - this includes 1,070 cases. 

Waikato
There were 15 cases confirmed in Waikato overnight - six in Huntly, four in Hamilton, three in Te Kūiti, and two in Ngāruawāhia.

All cases have been linked to previous cases.

There were further locations of interest identified yesterday across Hamilton, Huntly and Te Kūiti, these have been added to the Ministry of Health's website.

There are seven pop-up and dedicated testing sites operating across the region today in Hamilton, Ōtorohanga, Thames, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia and Te Kūiti. For more information, visit the DHB's website.

In the Waikato, health staff are now supporting 129 cases to isolate at home.

Canterbury
Today, one new case in Canterbury is being reported, however, as the case was reported after the MOH's 9am cut off, it will be officially added to the case numbers tomorrow.

This person has been classified as a low risk to public health. They're a household contact of a previously confirmed case and are already in managed isolation.

Details on where Cantabrians can seek a test are available on the Canterbury DHB website.

People can also check if their GP can provide COVID-19 testing by calling them or via the Healthpoint website.

Wastewater
Covid-19 was detected in a sample collected from Kaiwaka on November 18. Processing of the sample began on November 22, however, the result was delayed due to a technical issue. Testing is currently in progress for a further sample collected on November 22.

Anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild - is encouraged to get a test. Details of testing locations are available on the Northland DHB website.

Covid-19 was also detected in a sample collected from Opononi on 23 November, this is believed to be linked to active cases in Hokianga.

New case identified at the border

**The number of cases here may sometimes differ from the total reported the previous day due to a difference in reporting timeframes and reclassifications.