Coronavirus: Latest on COVID-19 community outbreak - Tuesday, May 17

COVID-19 cases have increased for a second consecutive day with 9843 new infections - up from 7061 on Monday, the Ministry of Health revealed.

Another eight people died with COVID-19 on Tuesday, which took the total publicly reported deaths to 986.

Hospitalisations in New Zealand rose to 421, while there are ten people in ICU or HDU.

The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers on Tuesday is 7795 - last Tuesday it was 7927.

What you need to know:

  • All of New Zealand is at the orange setting of the traffic light framework. 
  • New Zealand has recorded 9843 new community cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
  • Eight additional deaths have been reported.
  • There are 421 people in hospital, ten of whom are in the ICU.
  • The locations of the new community cases are as follows: Northland (288), Auckland (3,442), Waikato (792), Bay of Plenty (342), Lakes (185), Hawke’s Bay (361), MidCentral (339), Whanganui (105), Taranaki (291), Tairāwhiti (90), Wairarapa (87), Capital and Coast (600), Hutt Valley (249), Nelson Marlborough (320), Canterbury (1,305), South Canterbury (177), Southern (781), West Coast (83), Unknown (6).
  • Locations of hospitalisations: Northland: 9; Waitemata: 51; Counties Manukau: 43; Auckland: 98; Waikato: 28; Bay of Plenty: 10; Lakes: 5; Tairāwhiti: 0; Hawke’s Bay: 17; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 3; MidCentral: 21; Wairarapa: 0; Hutt Valley: 7; Capital and Coast: 21; Nelson Marlborough: 8; Canterbury: 58; South Canterbury: 6; West Coast: 2; Southern: 23.

These live updates are now over.

1:06pm - Here is the latest data from the Ministry of Health on the outbreak and vaccination campaign:

Vaccinations administered in New Zealand  

  • Vaccines administered to date: 4,027,028 first doses; 3,978,834 second doses; 32,143 third primary doses; 2,646,181 booster doses: 262,292 paediatric first doses and 121,062 paediatric second doses  
  • Vaccines administered yesterday: 35 first doses; 46 second doses; 28 third primary doses; 982 booster doses; 44 paediatric first doses and 170 paediatric second doses  

People vaccinated

  • All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,055,338 first dose (96.3%); 4,006,478 second dose (95.2%), 2,640,271 boosted (70.7% of those eligible)  
  • Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 521,173 first dose (91.3%); 504,322 second dose (88.3%), 236,502 boosted (53.9% of those eligible)  
  • Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 282,001 first dose (98.4%); 277,161 second dose (96.7%), 141,096 boosted (56.5% of those eligible)  
  • 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 259,332 first dose (54.4%); 118,143 second dose (24.8%)  
  • 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 40,903 first dose (35.4%); 13,605 second dose (11.8%)  
  • 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,579 first dose (47.7%); 6,953 second dose (14.1%)

Note that the number for “People vaccinated” differs slightly from “Vaccines administered” as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas.

Vaccination rates for all DHBs 

  • Northland DHB: first dose (90.1%); second dose (88%); boosted (67.3%)  
  • Auckland DHB: first dose (99.1%); second dose (98.2%); boosted (73%)  
  • Counties Manukau DHB: first dose (96.2%); second dose (95%); boosted (65.8%)  
  • Waitemata DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (70.8%)  
  • Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (66.2%)  
  • Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (65.4%)  
  • Lakes DHB: first dose (93%); second dose (91.3%); boosted (65.6%)  
  • MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.1%); boosted (71.7%)  
  • Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93%); second dose (90.8%); boosted (65.4%)  
  • Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.4%); boosted (70.9%)  
  • Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97.3%); second dose (95.7%); boosted (69.2%)  
  • Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.2%); boosted (67.5%)  
  • Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95%); boosted (72.5%)  
  • Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.4%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (79.2%)  
  • Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (74.5%)  
  • Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (73%)  
  • West Coast DHB: first dose (92.6%); second dose (91.2%); boosted (71.1%)  
  • Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.8%); second dose (98.9%); boosted (74%)  
  • South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (74%)  
  • Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.5%); boosted (72.9%)

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 or 16 and 17-year-olds who have become eligible 6 months after having their second dose.

Hospitalisations

  • Cases in hospital: total number 421: Northland: 9; Waitemata: 51; Counties Manukau: 43; Auckland: 98; Waikato: 28; Bay of Plenty: 10; Lakes: 5; Tairāwhiti: 0; Hawke’s Bay: 17; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 3; MidCentral: 21; Wairarapa: 0; Hutt Valley: 7; Capital and Coast: 21; Nelson Marlborough: 8; Canterbury: 58; South Canterbury: 6; West Coast: 2; Southern: 23
  • *Average age of current hospitalisations: 60
  • Cases in ICU or HDU: 10
  • Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (26 cases / 10%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (9 cases / 4%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (65 cases / 26%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (146 cases / 59%); unknown (2 /1%).

Please note the average age of current hospitalisations is for the Northern Region admissions only at this stage. This data is recorded and extracted from the same source as the vaccination status of patients in Northern Region hospitals.

Cases

  • Seven day rolling average of community cases: 7,795
  • Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 7,927
  • Number of new community cases: 9,843
  • Number of new community cases (PCR): 203
  • Number of new community cases (RAT): 9,703
  • Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (288), Auckland (3,442), Waikato (792), Bay of Plenty (342), Lakes (185), Hawke’s Bay (361), MidCentral (339), Whanganui (105), Taranaki (291), Tairāwhiti (90), Wairarapa (87), Capital and Coast (600), Hutt Valley (249), Nelson Marlborough (320), Canterbury (1,305), South Canterbury (177), Southern (781), West Coast (83), Unknown (6)
  • Number of new imported cases*: 63
  • Number of active community cases (total): 54,550 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered) 
  • Confirmed cases (total): 1,056,656

*From yesterday, cases previously classified as ‘border cases’ were classified as ‘imported cases’. This change in terminology reflects that although these cases have arrived from overseas, most will be isolating in the community in New Zealand.

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): 4,442
  • Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 18,949
  • PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,554
  • Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 17 May 2022): 1.4 million.

1:04pm - The Ministry of Health has provided an update on the COVID-19 related deaths:

Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of eight people with COVID-19. 

These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 986 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 16.

Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today; three people were from the Southern region; two were from Auckland, two were from Northland, and one was from Canterbury.

One person was in their 60s, four people were in their 70s, and three were aged over 90.

Of these people, four were women and four were men.

This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this time.

Out of respect, we will be making no further comment. 

1:03pm - The ministry has provided an update on the Omicron outbreak:

Today we are reporting 9,843 community cases, 421 hospitalisations and eight deaths.

The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 7,795 – last Tuesday it was 7,927.

For guidance if you or someone you know tests positive or becomes a household contact, visit the Ministry of Health website.

Today the Ministry of Health is reminding people who test for COVID-19 at home with a rapid antigen test (RAT) to report the test result.

You should report the results of your RAT, whether you test positive or negative. You can do this online through My Covid Record.

If you are having trouble using My Covid Record, you can report the results of your RAT over the phone by calling  0800 222 478 and choosing option 3.

RATs are currently Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary testing tool for people with COVID-19 symptoms or household contacts.

1:01pm - COVID-19 cases have increased for a second consecutive day in New Zealand with 9843 new infections and 421 people in hospital, the Ministry of Health revealed

The health ministry also said eight people have died with COVID-19 on Tuesday taking the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to to 986 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 16.

Of the new community cases, Northland (288), Auckland (3,442), Waikato (792), Bay of Plenty (342), Lakes (185), Hawke’s Bay (361), MidCentral (339), Whanganui (105), Taranaki (291), Tairāwhiti (90), Wairarapa (87), Capital and Coast (600), Hutt Valley (249), Nelson Marlborough (320), Canterbury (1,305), South Canterbury (177), Southern (781), West Coast (83), Unknown (6).

The ministry announced there are 421 people in hospital with ten in ICU or HDU.

Of the 421 people in hospital: Northland: 9; Waitemata: 51; Counties Manukau: 43; Auckland: 98; Waikato: 28; Bay of Plenty: 10; Lakes: 5; Tairāwhiti: 0; Hawke’s Bay: 17; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 3; MidCentral: 21; Wairarapa: 0; Hutt Valley: 7; Capital and Coast: 21; Nelson Marlborough: 8; Canterbury: 58; South Canterbury: 6; West Coast: 2; Southern: 23.

There are 63 new COVID cases recorded at the border in Managed Isolation and Quarantine.

12:55pm - There is no press conference planned for Tuesday, so we are just waiting on a statement with all the data. We'll bring that to you the moment we get it.

12:51pm - Shanghai set out plans on Monday (local time) for the end of a painful COVID-19 lockdown that has lasted more than six weeks, heavily bruising China's economy, and for the return of more normal life from June 1.

In the clearest timetable yet, Deputy Mayor Zong Ming said Shanghai would reopen in stages, with movement curbs largely to remain in place until May 21 to prevent a rebound in infections, before an easing.

"From June 1 to mid- and late June, as long as risks of a rebound in infections are controlled, we will fully implement epidemic prevention and control, normalize management, and fully restore normal production and life in the city," she said.

Read the full story here. 

12:45pm - Here's the most recent information provided by the Ministry of Health about what the COVID-19 situation looked like after Monday's figures:

Coronavirus: Latest on COVID-19 community outbreak - Tuesday, May 17
Photo credit: Ministry of Health

12:40pm - A University of Otago doctor warns "decade-long shadow" and urges officials to act now.

Dr Rob Griffiths who works in occupational rehabilitation and returning to work warns Long COVID could be with us for decades once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. 

"At least one in five people expected to experience symptoms more than three months after being infected with COVID-19, Government agencies should urgently develop plans to provide ongoing support."

He said the effect Long COVID would have on Aotearoa's healthcare system would be far more reaching than COVID-19 itself. 

"If the acute phase of COVID-19 can be compared to a tsunami of healthcare need, Long COVID will be a subsequent flood of Noah-like proportions."

Read the full story here.

12:35pm - Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the COVID-19 outbreak for Tuesday.