The Ministry of Health is reporting 454 new community cases of Covid-19 and 27 people in hospital. Eight new cases have been identified at the border.

More than 57,000 boosters were given on Friday, with New Zealand also reaching a milestone on Friday of 10 million Covid-19 vaccines administered.

Of the new 454 new community cases, 12 are in Northland, 294 in Auckland, 72 in Waikato, 23 in Bay of Plenty, eight in Lakes, seven in Hawke's Bay, five in MidCentral, one in Taranaki, five in Wellington, 12 in Hutt Valley, two in Wairarapa, and 13 in the Southern DHB region.

There are 27 people in hospital of which 25 have active infections, with two in North Shore, 11 in Middlemore, ten in Auckland, two in Rotorua, one in Waikato and one in Christchurch hospital. There are no cases in ICU or HDU. The average age of current hospitalisations is 52.

Locations of interest and close contact places are updated here

Milestone for Tairāwhiti

Tairāwhiti has reached two vaccination milestones today; their eligible population reached 90 per cent fully vaccinated –the 18th DHB to do so – and it's eligible Māori population reached 90 per cent first doses.

The Tairāwhiti DHB has worked in partnership with local providers and advocates to ensure as many people as possible have had the opportunity to get vaccinated. This includes reaching those in the region's most remote communities with vaccination vans.

Ten million vaccination milestone reached

On Friday afternoon, New Zealand's ten millionth vaccine dose was administered.

'This incredible milestone is a testament to the country's commitment to vaccination as a safe and effective way to protect ourselves against Covid-19,' says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

'A high rate of vaccination helped us minimise the most severe effects of Delta. With Omicron spreading around the country, getting vaccinated continues to be our best defence against Covid-19.”

The Big Boost Week continues to see tens of thousands of people going out to get their booster dose each day. On Firday, there were 57,364 boosters administered.

'If it's been three months since you got your second dose, please get your booster as soon as possible. Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised.”

Testing reminder

'It is encouraging to see a high level of testing this week,” says a Ministry of Health spokesperson. 'However, it is important the right people get tested for the right reasons.

'There is good testing capacity throughout the country, but unnecessary testing could delay results for those who urgently need them.”

People should only get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms, if they have been at a location of interest, or if they have been asked to get tested by a health official.

'This weekend, we're also asking people to stick to the basics to reduce the chances of catching and spreading Covid-19,” says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

'When you're out and about, please physical distance and wear a mask, especially when you're around people you don't know.

'As always, scan in using the Covid-19 Tracer App. Scanning in will ensure you are alerted quickly if you are exposed to someone with Covid-19.”

Covid-19 vaccine update

• Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 4,052,086 first doses (96%); 3,981,374 second doses (95%); 1,839,877 booster doses (58%)
• Vaccines administered yesterday: 668 first doses; 1,518 second doses; 2,482 paediatric doses; 57,364 booster doses
• Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 515,891 first doses (90%); 492,036 second doses (86%)
• Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 278,901 first doses (97%); 271,785 second doses (95%)
• Paediatric vaccines administered to date (percentage of 5-11-year-olds): 209,275 first doses (44%)
• Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 29,115 first doses (25%)
• Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 16,949 first doses (34%).

Vaccination rates for all DHBs (percentage of eligible people aged 12 +)

• Northland DHB: First doses (90%); second doses (87%)
• Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (97%); second doses (96%)
• Waikato DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
• Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
• Lakes DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (91%)
• MidCentral DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
• Tairāwhiti DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%)
• Whanganui DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89.9%)
• Hawke's Bay: First doses (97%); second doses (94%)
• Taranaki DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
• Wairarapa DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
• Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (99%); second doses (98%)
• Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
• Nelson Marlborough DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
• West Coast DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (91%)
• Canterbury DHB: First doses (99%); second doses (98%)
• South Canterbury DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (94%)
• Southern DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%)

Hospitalisations

• Cases in hospital: Total Number 27 (25 of whom have active infections); North Shore: 2; Middlemore: 11; Auckland: 10; Rotorua: 2, Waikato 1, Christchurch: 1.
• Average age of current hospitalisations: 52
• Cases in ICU or HDU: 0
• Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (4 cases / 20%); partially immunised

Cases

• Seven day rolling average of community cases: 275
• Seven day rolling average of border cases: 28
• Number of new community cases: 454
• Location of new community cases*: Northland (12), Auckland (294), Waikato (72), Bay of Plenty (23), Lakes (8), Hawke's Bay (7), MidCentral (5), Taranaki (1), Wellington (5), Hutt Valley (12), Wairarapa (2), Southern (13).
• Number of new cases identified at the border: 8
• Location of origin of border cases: India (3), Australia (1), Saudi Arabia (1), United Arab Emirates (1) the United Kingdom (1), full travel history yet obtained (1).
• Number of active cases (total): 3,303 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
• Confirmed cases (total): 19,400

* Please note, the Ministry of Health's daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.

Tests

• Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 24,820
• Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 19,296
• Number of Rapid Antigen Tests in New Zealand: 7.0 million

Updates of note

South Canterbury

A case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in South Canterbury. There are now two active cases in South Canterbury.

A location of interest in Tekapo has been published.

Anyone who was at Mackenzies Cafe Bar & Grill between 5.00pm – 5.45pm on Sunday February 6 is asked to self-isolate, get a test, and record your visit online or call Healthline so contact tracers can get in touch.

Additionally, anyone in the Southern Canterbury region who has any cold or flu like symptoms should get tested.

Information on testing in the region is available from Healthpoint, and the DHB website.

The case was confirmed after the Ministry of Health cut off period so will be added to official figures on Sunday.