WELLINGTON, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand reported 31 new cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in the community today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country’s current community outbreak to 10,985.
Among the new infections, 14 were recorded in the largest city of Auckland, one in nearby Waikato, 12 in Bay of Plenty and four in the Lakes region, according to the country’s Ministry of Health.
A total of 53 cases are being treated in hospitals, including six in intensive care units or high dependency units, a ministry statement said.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Zealand stands at 13,992, according to the health ministry.
The ministry also reported 29 cases identified at the border. While still awaiting whole genome sequencing of these cases, it is expected that some of these cases are infections with the Omicron variant, said the ministry.
To date, over 92 percent of the eligible population in New Zealand are double-dosed, or fully vaccinated.
Close to 4,500 booster shots were administered yesterday, a jump of more than 1,500 on the day before, it said, adding that, from tomorrow, the interval between the second dose and booster dose will be reduced from six months to four months.– NNN-AGENCIES
