Today we are reporting 9,629 community cases and 493 current hospitalisations. The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 7,246 We are sadly reporting the deaths of 24 people with COVID-19.
These deaths occurred in the period since 14 April. The rise in COVID-19 cases today is not unexpected as New Zealand moves towards the winter peak for respiratory illness, including COVID-19.
In addition, it is not unusual for reported cases to rise following a weekend. It is encouraging that people are uploading their test results in My COVID Record, and the Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand would like to remind people to continue to do this.
This is also a timely reminder for those eligible to get their booster vaccinations, and for those not yet fully immunised to start and/or complete their COVID-19 vaccination course.