Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says there are 18,423 new community cases of COVID-19, 913 people in hospital and 11 new deaths.
It comes ahead of changes to the traffic light system on Friday night, including the removal of outdoor gathering limits and the use of QR code scanning.
What you need to know about the COVID-19 outbreak:
- There were 18,423 new community COVID cases recorded on Thursday
- There have been new 11 deaths of people with COVID-19
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (674), Auckland (3,629), Waikato (1,643), Bay of Plenty (987), Lakes (483), Hawke’s Bay (1,055), MidCentral (876), Whanganui (313), Taranaki (655), Tairāwhiti (326), Wairarapa (249), Capital and Coast (1,200), Hutt Valley (627), Nelson Marlborough (709), Canterbury (3,150), South Canterbury (319), Southern (1,459), West Coast (57); Unknown (12)
- There are 913 people in hospital, including 28 in ICU
- The average age of current hospitalisations: 59
- Locations of hospitalisations: Northland: 22; North Shore: 148; Middlemore: 207; Auckland: 159; Waikato: 82; Bay of Plenty: 39; Lakes: 16; Tairāwhiti: 4, Hawke’s Bay: 40; Taranaki: 16; Whanganui: 3; MidCentral: 23; Hutt Valley: 17; Capital and Coast: 43; Wairarapa: 7; Nelson Marlborough: 11; Canterbury: 51; South Canterbury: 3; Southern: 22
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (91 cases / 18.2%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (21 cases / 4.2%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (168 cases / 33.7%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (192 cases / 38.5%); unknown (27 cases / 5.4%)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 44
These live updates have now finished.
2:05pm - It has just been announced that the MIQ booking system is being decommissioned as New Zealand's borders reopen. Here's what MIQ had to say:
With New Zealand now reopening to the world and MIQ winding down, the MIQ voucher booking system is being decommissioned, says Head of MIQ Chris Bunny.
"This is a natural next step in the scaling back of our operations. With fewer people now needing to come into MIQ, the voucher booking system just isn’t needed anymore," he said.
"Most travellers entering New Zealand will be able to self-test on arrival. MIQ will only be used in limited circumstances, — for example, for some maritime and international air crew. In those circumstances, the voucher booking system will no longer be necessary," he said
"Without vouchers we also no longer need a system for emergency allocations of vouchers or time sensitive travel allocations, so those systems are being decommissioned too. From Friday 25 March 2022, MBIE will no longer accept any new emergency allocation or time sensitive travel applications.
At its height, the equivalent of Kaiapoi’s population passed through managed isolation each month: 12,600 people in 9000 rooms every 28 days. Mr Bunny says MIQ played a critical role - preventing Covid becoming widespread through communities while giving people a way to return home.
"By March 2022, the MIQ workforce had helped almost 230,000 travellers – more than the population of Wellington - return home and gave New Zealanders time to get vaccinated so the country could confidently face COVID-19.
"I know that meant it became a hard - at times frustrating – process for people wanting to return to New Zealand, caught between MIQ’s finite capacity and the measures to prevent COVID-19 from entering an unprotected community. It did take a toll on people’s lives – it wasn’t always popular. MIQ meant not everyone could come home when they wanted to. But it also meant that Covid could not come in when it wanted to, either.
"We’re entering the next phase of our evolution now which is good news for New Zealand, it takes us one step closer to international travel starting back up".
The following travellers are now no longer required to enter MIQ when they arrive in New Zealand:
unvaccinated New Zealand citizens
non-New Zealand citizens who meet the vaccination requirements to enter New Zealand, unless they are exempt.
Progress on decommissioning facilities
We have commenced with the decommissioning of 22 of our 32 facilities.
MIQ will now taper the remaining 10 facilities to 4 by the end of June 2022. These facilities currently accommodate special use groups (Afghanistan arrivals, refugees, mariners, air crew) who are no longer required to enter MIQ. If necessary, these groups could be accommodated across the four facilities remaining past June (3 based in Auckland and 1 in Christchurch).
These are the only MIQ facilities remaining in Hamilton, Rotorua, and Wellington. Deactivating them by the end of May allows MIQ to continue to support community cases across our five regions for the time being. It also ensures that hotels have one ‘empty’ month to prepare for re-entering the market. Deactivating these facilities in this way makes the best use of our network.
This is a significant change, and our priority will continue to be to support staff over the coming weeks throughout this transition period. We know this is an unsettling time for our workers and will do everything possible to ensure they are well looked after and treated fairly.
We are working to identify opportunities for them and providing training resources – we want to make the transition as smooth as possible, and retain talent, as our hardworking staff have proven themselves to be incredible during these stressful times and deserve reassurance that they will be looked after.
1:30pm - COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is defending the Government's loosening of restrictions amid concern for vulnerable people and children who have only recently become eligible for vaccination.
Vaccine passes will also be optional for businesses from early next month and immunisation mandates are being rolled back to just a few industries including health, aged care, border and Corrections workers.
But the move has caused concern for some vulnerable communities, including 5 to 11 year olds who have only been eligible for vaccination in mid-January.
Speaking with AM on Thursday, Hipkins defended the Government's decision, saying the risk is only marginally increased by dropping mandates for education.
1:25pm - ACT says comments from epidemiologist Michael Baker show the need to move to orange.
"It will make little difference to transmission but the world of difference to hospitality businesses, or better yet - scrap the traffic light system completely,” ACT’s Small Business spokesperson Chris Baillie said.
"When asked about a move from Red to Orange, epidemiologist Michael Baker told Newstalk ZB this morning 'The only difference is the indoor capacity limit and Orange would have no limit, and really that’s going to have a pretty small impact on transmission of this virus'."
Baillie said it's time to move on and give hospitality businesses a break.
1:20pm - Here's how the COVID situation report looks after Thursday's data:
1:10pm - Dr Bloomfield says in the seven days to March 20, there were 24 new cases per 1000 people in the country, compared to 27 per 1000 the week before.
But that pattern varies across the country. For example, for Tairawhiti, it is 44 per 1000, and in Hawke's Bay, 38 per 1000. They are the DHBs with the highest rates. Case numbers are on the increase in the South Island. Māori have the highest rate (35 per 1000), followed by Pacific people (28 per 1000). The rates for NZ European and Asian is 21 per 1000.
Deputy Director-General of Māori Health John Whaanga is now speaking to media about the Māori response.
1:05pm - COVID-19 deaths
Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 11 people with COVID-19.
These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 221 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths to 10.
Of these 11 deaths we are reporting today, two people are from the Auckland region, two are from Bay of Plenty, six are from Waikato, and one is from the Wellington region.
Two of these people were in their 50s, one person was in their 70s, four people were in their 80s, and four people were in their 90s.
Six were men and five were women.
Our thoughts and condolences are with their whānau and friends at this sad time.
Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.
Vaccinations administered in New Zealand
- Vaccines administered to date: 4,025,058 first doses; 3,973,003 second doses; 34,184 third primary doses; 2,564,620 booster doses: 257,612 paediatric first doses and 52,446 paediatric second doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 216 first doses; 336 second doses; 23 third primary doses; 3,694 booster doses; 196 paediatric first doses and 4,241 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated
- All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,054,594 first dose (96.3%); 4,001,735 second dose (95.1%), 2,563,607 boosted (72.7% of those eligible)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 520,152 first dose (91.1%); 502,370 second dose (88%), 226,840 boosted (58.3% of those eligible)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,417 first dose (98.2%); 276,208 second dose (96.3%), 135,035 boosted (59.4% of those eligible)
- 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 256,400 first dose (53.8%); 51,302 second dose (10.8%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 40,065 first dose (34.7%); 5,872 second dose (5.1%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,140 first dose (46.8%); 2,724 second dose (5.5%)
Note that the number for “People vaccinated” differs slightly from “Vaccines administered” as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas.
You’ll note in the figures today there has been a negative movement in the booster uptake for both Māori and Pacific populations. This is as a result of more people becoming eligible to receive a booster.
Vaccination rates for all DHBs*
- Northland DHB: first dose (90.1%); second dose (87.9%); boosted (69.5%)
- Auckland Metro DHB: first dose (97.2%); second dose (96.1%); boosted (71%)
- Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.5%); boosted (68.4%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95%); second dose (93.2%); boosted (68.3%)
- Lakes DHB: first dose (93.3%); second dose (91.4%); boosted (68.7%)
- MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (74.4%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (90.8%); boosted (69%)
- Whanganui DHB: first dose (92%); second dose (90.3%); boosted (73.7%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97%); second dose (95.3%); boosted (72.3%)
- Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.1%); boosted (70.1%)
- Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (94.9%); boosted (75%)
- Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.6%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (81.2%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (77%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (75.8%)
- West Coast DHB: first dose (92.6%); second dose (91%); boosted (73.8%)
- Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.6%); second dose (98.7%); boosted (75.8%)
- South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.9%); second dose (93.8%); boosted (76.5%)
- Southern DHB: first dose (98.1%); second dose (97%); boosted (75%)
*Partially and second doses percentages are for those 12+. Boosted percentages are for 18+ who have become eligible 3 months after having their second dose
Percentages are based on 2020 HSU data - a health-specific population denominator. As the population continues to change over time, coverage rates can exceed 100%.
Hospitalisations*
- Cases in hospital: total number 913: Northland: 22; North Shore: 148; Middlemore: 207; Auckland: 159; Waikato: 82; Bay of Plenty: 39; Lakes: 16; Tairāwhiti: 4, Hawke’s Bay: 40; Taranaki: 16; Whanganui: 3; MidCentral: 23; Hutt Valley: 17; Capital and Coast: 43; Wairarapa: 7; Nelson Marlborough: 11; Canterbury: 51; South Canterbury: 3; Southern: 22
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 59
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 28
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (91 cases / 18.2%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (21 cases / 4.2%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (168 cases / 33.7%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (192 cases / 38.5%); unknown (27 cases / 5.4%)
*The figures show that almost 4% of people aged 12 and over in the Northern Region have had no doses of the vaccine, while of those aged 12 and over in Northland and Auckland hospitals with COVID-19 for whom we have vaccination status recorded, 16% have had no doses of the vaccine and are more than three times over-represented in our hospitalisation figures.
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 16,949
- Number of new community cases: 18,423
- Number of new community cases (PCR): 402
- Number of new community cases (RAT): 18,021
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (674), Auckland (3,629), Waikato (1,643), Bay of Plenty (987), Lakes (483), Hawke’s Bay (1,055), MidCentral (876), Whanganui (313), Taranaki (655), Tairāwhiti (326), Wairarapa (249), Capital and Coast (1,200), Hutt Valley (627), Nelson Marlborough (709), Canterbury (3,150), South Canterbury (319), Southern (1,459), West Coast (57); Unknown (12)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 44
- Number of active community cases (total): 118,631 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 556,049
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 PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 3,268
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 36,969
- PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,016
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 23/03/22): 18.1 million
1pm - Dr Bloomfield says there are 18,423 new community cases and 913 people in hospital (28 of whom are in ICU or HDU). There has been a drop in hospitalisations in Auckland, which matches the drop in cases. There are also 11 COVID-related deaths, taking the total to 221.
12:55pm - As we wait for the latest data, here's the COVID-19 situation after Wednesday's update:
12:50pm - The livestream is now in the video above. Refresh your page if you can't see it. The press conference will start at about 1pm.
12:35pm - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is "terrified of letting go of COVID politics" as that means she'll have to focus on other issues like cost-of-living, ACT's David Seymour says.
"It's not enough for people who are so fatigued, are ready to move on from rules that don't make sense, but find themselves with a Prime Minister who is just terrified of letting go of COVID politics," Seymour said. "We're not making decisions based on public health and whether those restrictions actually stop the spread of COVID.
"[It] seems the only reason for the continued restrictions is the Government is unwilling to admit, some of the things that made us do haven't been working so they're saving face.
"I think they just don't want to get back to the cost-of-living and the problems with housing, problems with crime and poverty that they're going to have to face up to, but not while we still have COVID politics dominating the scene."
12:30pm - Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the COVID-19 outbreak for Thursday.
We're about to hear from Director-Geneal of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield as well as deputy director-general of Māori health John Whaanga. They'll provide the latest COVID-19 data.
