Covid-19: New Zealand sees spike in cases with 6000 reported today

The Ministry of Health has warned cases could skyrocket over summer.
Photo: Sebastian Gollnow / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP

New Zealand has seen a spike in Covid-19 numbers – with 6000 cases reported today.

That is 1247 more cases than were reported last Tuesday.

Of the cases announced today, 26 per cent were reinfections.

The seven-day average number of cases now sits at 4041.

On Monday, the deaths of 58 people with Covid-19 last week were announced.

A total of 328 people with the virus were hospitalised – 10 in ICU.

Earlier this month, health officials held a media conference and said cases could skyrocket over the summer period.

Deputy Director-General of the Public Health Agency Dr Andrew Old said current modelling indicated cases could rise to a peak similar to that seen in July – between 10,000 and 11,000 cases per day.

He encouraged people to ensure they were up to date with their vaccinations, stay home if they were symptomatic, test if unwell and to open doors and windows as much as possible if they were entertaining over the summer months.

Old said there was also “good evidence that mask use reduces transmission”.

The ministry would be publishing a “summer checklist” to help people prepare, he said.

New Zealand remained in a “strong position” to manage the ongoing Covid-19 cases but Old cautioned: “We’re not out of the Covid woods yet”.