The number of COVID-19 deaths has increased while cases declined over the past week, the Ministry of Health has revealed.
In its latest COVID update, the ministry said there were 32,010 new community cases of COVID-19 and a further 78 virus-related deaths over the past week. One of the deaths was a child aged under 10.
It covered the seven-day period from Monday, December 19 to Sunday, December 25.
The Health Ministry said 413 people remained in hospital with the virus, 15 of whom were in intensive care.
There are now a total of 2331 deaths confirmed as attributable to COVID-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor.
Overall, New Zealand has reported over two million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.
Last week the Health Ministry reported 42,740 new community cases, 64 virus-related deaths, 581 people in hospital and 15 in ICU.
Newshub.
