WELLINGTON, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand reported 25 new COVID-19 cases in the community today, including 10 Omicron cases, bringing the total tally in the country’s current community outbreak to 11,541.
Among the 10 Omicron cases, one is a household contact of a previously reported case, in Nelson Tasman and was already isolating when tested positive, and one reported in Palmerston North, is in the same situation.
Two cases reported in Tauranga are in the same household and are isolating at home. Case investigations are underway but, at this stage, there are a limited number of exposure events associated with these cases, according to the Ministry of Health.
Public health officials are continuing to manage Omicron cases in the community, through rapidly isolating cases and contacts, contact tracing, and testing, in order to slow the spread.
To date, there are 29 community cases of COVID-19 associated with the Jan Omicron cluster, including today’s 10 new Omicron community cases, all in isolation, the ministry said.
Among the 25 new infections reported today, 18 were recorded in the largest city of Auckland, two in Bay of Plenty, two in the Lakes region, one in Northland, one in the MidCentral region, and one in Nelson, according to the ministry.
There are 10 COVID-19 patients in New Zealand hospitals, but none at the intensive care unit.
The country recorded 15,312 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. To date, about 93 percent of the eligible people in New Zealand are fully vaccinated with at least two doses, said a ministry statement.
More than 1.05 million boosters, or the third doses, have now been administered, it said.
Almost 95,000, 5 – 11-year-olds have now received a first dose, according to the ministry.
Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced on Sunday that, her country is moving into red light settings, due to Omicron cases detected in the community.
According to the Red Light settings, under the COVID-19 Protection Framework, gatherings are limited to 100 people in places where COVID-19 vaccine passports are used.– NNN-AGENCIES
