Today the Ministry of Health are reporting 9,307 community cases and 570 current hospitalisations.

The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 8,690.

"We are sadly reporting the deaths of 22 people with COVID-19," says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

"All of these deaths occurred during the past week.

"We are continuing to keep our response to the current community outbreak of COVID-19 under review and will adapt it as the outbreak and pandemic evolve, and as part of our resurgence planning."

Keeping tamariki well over the school break

"As every parent well knows, winter means cold weather but also more days indoors where our tamariki can more easily pick up and pass on germs, colds and flu.

"It's normal for children to have 8-10 viral illnesses each year, which will likely include coughs, runny noses and intermittent fevers. But with so many respiratory illnesses circulating, the Ministry is encouraging New Zealanders to pay extra attention to their children's health, and their own, over the coldest months of the year."

Here are some winter wellness tips to help keep children healthy:

• When they're unwell, keep them at home to give them the best chance to rest and recover, and reduce the spread of infections on to others.
• If children have COVID-19 symptoms like a fever, cough, sore throat and headache – rapid antigen test them.
• Encourage good hygiene - help them to wash their hands regularly and show them how to sneeze or cough into their elbow or a tissue. This will help stop the spread of germs. 
• A sick child who is still eating and drinking well, can be watched at home until they're feeling better.  
• Tamariki between the ages of 3 and 12 are now eligible for, and are encouraged to get, a free flu vaccination. People eligible for a free flu jab can contact their GP, usual healthcare provider or local pharmacy to make a booking. Bookings are available at Healthpoint.
• To help avoid serious illness, ensure children are up to date with their vaccinations like measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); flu; chicken pox; whooping cough; and for over 5-year-olds, their COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Ventilate your home by opening windows and doors throughout the day to increase fresh air flow.
• Provide children with healthy food and fresh water to help maintain good health and wellbeing. 
• Encourage them to be active, especially outside, to help maintain good health and wellbeing. 
• Encourage your children to wear a mask if they are old enough.
• Finally, support children to get enough sleep.

"Following these tips not just children but for all of us can help us all fight off seasonal illnesses and get through the next few months in good shape. Stay well this winter, Aotearoa!"

• View a video of these tips on the Ministry's Facebook page
• Guidance if you or someone you know tests positive or becomes a household contact
• Information on mask use at Orange
• Getting a flu jab

COVID-19 hospitalisations

• COVID-19 Cases in hospital: total number 570: Northland: 11; Waitematā: 124; Counties Manukau: 39; Auckland: 56; Waikato: 57; Bay of Plenty: 29; Lakes: 14; Hawke's Bay: 20; MidCentral: 20; Whanganui: 6; Taranaki: 12; Tairawhiti: 3; Wairarapa: 6; Capital and Coast and Hutt Valley: 59; Nelson Marlborough: 13; Canterbury and West Coast: 62; South Canterbury: 18; Southern: 21.
• Weekly COVID-19 Hospitalisations - 7 day rolling average: 518 (This time last week 392)
• Average age of current COVID-19 hospitalisations: 65
• Cases in ICU or HDU: 9
• Vaccination status of new admissions to hospital*: Unvaccinated or not eligible (43 cases); partially immunised

*These are new hospital admissions in the past 7 days prior to yesterday who had COVID at the time of admission or while in hospital, excluding hospitalisations that were admitted and discharged within 24hrs. This data is from Districts with tertiary hospitals: Auckland, Canterbury, Southern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Capital & Coast, Waitemata and Northland.

COVID-19 vaccinations administered

• Vaccines administered to date: 4,028,729 first doses, 3,981,281 second doses, 33,358 third primary doses, 2,687,279 first booster doses, 82,636 second booster doses, 264,596 paediatric first doses and 136,343 paediatric second doses.
• Vaccines administered yesterday: 33 first doses, 43 second doses, 60 third primary doses, 1,016 First booster doses, 11,755 second booster doses, 45 paediatric first doses and 296 paediatric second doses. 
• These vaccinations were administered at a total of 614 vaccination sites.
• More detailed information, including vaccine uptake by District, is available on the Ministry website.

Tests

• Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 3,775
• Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 15,728
• PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,251
• Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (in the seven days as of 7 July 2022): 2.5 million

COVID-19 cases

• Total number of new community cases: 9,307
• Number of new cases that have recently travelled overseas: 251
• Seven day rolling average of community cases: 8,690
• Seven day rolling average of community cases (as at same day last week): 6,825
• Number of active cases (total): 60,790 (cases identified in the past seven days and not yet classified as recovered)
• Confirmed cases (total): 1,413,437
• Location of new community cases by district over past 24 hours

Please note, the Ministry of Health's daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a District or local public health service 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.

COVID-19 deaths

"Today's reported deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 1,663* and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 16.

"Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today: six were from Auckland region, four were from Waikato, one was from Bay of Plenty, one was from Lakes, one was from Hawkes Bay, one was from MidCentral, two were from the Wellington region, four were from Canterbury / West Coast, and two were from Southern.

"One was under the age of ten; three were in their fifties, three were in their sixties, five were in their seventies, seven were in their 80s, and three were aged over 90. Of these people, eight were female and 14 were male.

"This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts and condolences are with them. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment on these."

*Due to a coding error, the total number of COVID-19 related deaths was overstated yesterday by 10. This error has now been fixed.