The Ministry of Health is reporting three new Covid-19 cases in the Bay of Plenty today.

One of these cases is part of a Tauranga household with two other cases, reported earlier this week.

Whole genome sequencing has now linked these two earlier cases to the January Omicron cluster, and the new case is being treated as Omicron.

The remaining two cases from today are in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and are being investigated for links to previously reported cases.

"In addition, we are announcing three more cases which have tested positive for Covid-19. They're linked to an exposure event at the early childhood centre BestStart Pyes Pa on 19 January. All three are being treated as Omicron.

"These three cases will be included officially in tomorrow's numbers"

Toi Te Ora Public Health is expecting further exposure events arising from these cases and locations of interest will be published on the Ministry of Health website when they are identified.

Details of testing centres in Tauranga

The Ministry says public health teams are continuing to manage Omicron cases in the community through rapidly isolating cases and contacts, contact tracing, and testing to slow the spread.

To date, there are 90 community cases of Covid-19 that are either confirmed as Omicron variant or have been linked to previously reported Omicron case, an increase of 34.

There are active cases being treated as Omicron in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Palmerston North, and Nelson Tasman.

"Many of these additional cases have previously been reported as Covid-19 cases and linked retrospectively either through whole genome sequencing or epidemiologically.

"Therefore, many are not included in today's reported new Covid-19 community cases."

The Ministry says the number of cases and contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron and as we learn more from case interviews.

"As part of our collective preparations for Omicron, please check your details are up to date with your regular healthcare provider and in the Covid-19 Tracer app.

"We also continue to urge anyone with symptoms, or anyone who has been to a location of interest at the times notified, to take health advice, isolate immediately and get tested promptly.

"Being prepared also means remembering the basics - wash your hands, stay at home if you're unwell, wear a mask when you can't physically distance and get vaccinated, including a booster."

Regional updates

The Ministry is continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if you're vaccinated. Please stay at home until you return a negative test result. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are regularly updated and to follow the advice provided.

Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website.

Please also continue to check for any updated Locations of Interest and appropriate health advice, updated regularly on the Ministry's website.

Auckland

There are 22 cases to report in Auckland today.

To date, Whole Genome Sequencing has identified that at least one of these cases is linked to known or suspected Omicron cases, and the others remain under investigation.

Health and welfare providers are now supporting 619 people in the region to isolate at home, including 176 cases.

Waikato

There are two new cases in the Waikato today, with one linked to previous cases and one under investigation. Both are from Hamilton.

Public Health staff, primary care and manaaki providers in Waikato are supporting 18 cases to isolate at home.

Lakes DHB

The Ministry is reporting seven new cases in Rotorua today.

Six are household contacts of previously reported cases, and one remains under investigation.

Tairāwhiti

Today, the Ministry is announcing a case in Gisborne. The result was received after the reporting cut-off time and it will be officially included in tomorrow's case numbers.

Investigations are currently underway to determine a link to other known cases in the current outbreak.

"However, at this stage it is likely that this person became infected during travel outside of the region.

"The case is currently in isolation and any locations of interest will be published on the Ministry of Health's website."

Taranaki

One new case is beng reported in Taranaki. This was the case the Ministry reported initially yesterday.

"In addition, we are reporting a second case of Covid-19 in the region linked to the January Omicron cluster.

"The person is a household contact of the case we reported yesterday and they are in isolation. This case was notified after the Ministry's reporting deadline and will be included in the case count tomorrow.

"Investigations are underway to identify any exposure events or locations of interest associated with this case and will be published on the Ministry of Health website as they are identified."

Hawke's Bay

Today, the Ministry is reporting eight new cases of Covid-19 in Hawke's Bay, all expected and linked to the known Hastings Delta cluster.

The cases had all been isolating and therefore there are no new, associated locations of interest to add.

Nelson Marlborough

"We are announcing two new cases in the region today.

"These cases were first announced yesterday and are included in today's reported numbers.

"In addition, we're reporting two cases which will be officially added to tomorrow's case numbers. These two cases are part of one of the households which has been epidemiologically linked to the January Omicron cluster."

Whole genome sequencing is underway but both are being treated as Omicron at this stage

Details of testing centres in Nelson

Canterbury

Four community cases have been notified in Canterbury today – all in Christchurch. Two are in the same household.

All four cases remain under investigation to establish any links to previous cases.

These cases were reported after the cut-off time and it will be officially included in tomorrow's case numbers

The Ministry says people should continue to get tested if they have any symptoms of Covid-19, and regularly check the Ministry of Health website for Locations of Interest in Canterbury.