There are nine new Covid-19 cases in the Bay of Plenty today and an exposure at a polo event last weekend.

This includes three cases first announced yesterday, all linked to the BestStart childcare centre in Pyes Pā.

The Ministry of Health is reporting an additional five cases linked to this childhood centre. All eight are being treated as Omicron, given their links to confirmed Omicron cases.

The ninth case is in Western Bay of Plenty and remains under investigation for links to previously reported cases, says the ministry.

In addition, we are reporting another case in the Western Bay of Plenty. This case remains under investigation for links to previously reported cases.

There is an exposure at a polo event held at on Trustpower Baypark stadium between 1pm and 6.15pm on Saturday, January 22.

The event was attended by a large number of people, including cases that are suspected to be Omicron, says the ministry.

Advice for people who attended the event are:

• Anyone who was at the bar during this time is a close contact and is being asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately.
• Anyone who was at the stadium at this time but not the bar is a casual contact and needs to self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.

The ministry is also reporting new community cases in Auckland, Waikato, Tairawhiti, Lakes, Hawke's Bay, MidCentral, Nelson Tasman and Canterbury.

Lakes

There are seven new cases of Covid-19 in the Lakes DHB area today.

All seven are contacts of previously reported cases and are isolating at home or in managed accommodation.

Northland

Today's case is a household contact of a previously reported case and are based in Whangarei.

Separately, a new location of interest has been added to the Ministry's webpage – the Wainui Marae in Kaeo. Please check the website for time and date details and corresponding public health advice.

Auckland

There are 76 cases to report in Auckland today.

Health and welfare providers are now supporting 698 people in the region to isolate at home.

Waikato

There are five new cases in the Waikato today.

Four of the cases are linked to previous cases and one is under investigation. Four are from Hamilton and the location of the fifth case is under investigation.

Public Health staff, primary care and manaaki providers in Waikato are supporting 22 cases to isolate at home. 

MidCentral

There is one case to report in MidCentral today – in Palmerston North. This case is not linked to any previously reported cases in the region and investigations are continuing to determine any links to other cases.

Public health staff are also working to identify any close contacts.

Hawke's Bay

Today we are reporting one new case of Covid-19 in Hawke's Bay.

This case is not part of the previously reported Hastings Delta cluster. Public health staff have, however, established a link to a previously reported case outside the region.

In addition, the ministry is announcing a second case, which will be officially reported in the Ministry's case tally tomorrow. This case is linked to Soundsplash Festival in Hamilton and is under investigation.