NZ Ministry of Health Daily Uldate, Sunday 27 February 2022. The NZ Ministry of Health reports 14,941 new positive cases of omicron with 305 patients in hospitals across the country. One death is reported to be a person who tested positive, but died of an unrelated medical condition, states the release.
More than two thirds of eligible New Zealanders have now had their booster which the Ministry says, “is a huge step in the fight against the spread of Omicron in our communities”.
Wild weather, traffic and queues didn’t deter the 70 per cent of those eligible – who turned out at vaccination clinics across the country over recent weeks.
“Credit also goes to our awesome team of more than 16,000 trained vaccinators who are doing the mahi. We thank each and every New Zealander who has joined the fight so far, being boosted has increased their protection against severe disease”.
“With Omicron spreading rapidly in our communities, we encourage every remaining eligible person to get boosted. If you had your second vaccination at least 3 months ago and you’re 18 and over you can book online at www.BookMyVaccine.nz or visit a walk-in or drive-thru vaccination clinic. For a list of vaccinations centres visit Healthpoint”.
Current cases
The Ministry reports a large proportion of recent cases are under 30 years of age.
“Of the 14,941 cases reported today, 59% have been under 30 years of age and 12% over the age of 50. The two age groups with the highest percentage of cases are people aged between 10–19 years of age and those aged between 20–29 which account for 25% and 25% of cases respectively.”
However the opposite pattern is seen in hospitalisations. Of the current 236 patients with COVID-19 in hospital in the Northern region (there are 305 in the whole country) there are 19% who are under the age of 30 and 54% over the age of 50.
“This reflects similar trends seen overseas where younger people, who are more socially active, often have higher infection rates, though it is the older age groups which are most likely to require hospital treatment from COVID-19”.
The Ministry reports a continuing spread of cases across the country with the three Auckland DHBs continuing to repeat the highest rates of infection in the country.
Auckland 1,843 cases per 100,000 population; Counties Manukau 2,596 per 100,000 population and Waitemata 1,179 per 100,000 population. Other areas with higher rates include Southern with 929 per 100,000; Waikato with 913 per 100,000 population and Bay of Plenty with 759 per 100,000 population.
Death of a patient in Northland
Sadly, a patient passed away in a Northland hospital yesterday. The person died from an unrelated medical condition and had tested positive for COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccine update
Vaccinations administered in New Zealand
- Vaccines administered to date: 4,019,173 first doses; 3,958,932 second doses; 33,413 third primary doses; 2,333,984 booster doses: 239,178 paediatric first doses and 3,072 paediatric second doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 353 first doses; 863 second doses; 80 third primary doses; 28,836 booster doses; 2,891 paediatric first doses and 370 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated (including those vaccinated overseas)*
- All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,062,733 first dose (96.5%); 4,000,856 second dose (95.1%), 2,335,644 boosted (70.1% of those eligible)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 519,022 first dose (90.9%); 498,265 second dose (87.3%), 197,125 boosted (58.9% of those eligible)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 280,655 first dose (97.9%); 274,556 second dose (95.8%), 119,203 boosted (57.5% of those eligible)
- 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 239,082 first dose (50.2%); 3,070 second dose (0.6%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds – Māori: 35,089 first dose (30.4%); 488 second dose (0.4%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds – Pacific Peoples: 21,005 first dose (42.5%); 426 second dose (0.9%)
*Note, that the number for “people vaccinated” differs slightly from “vaccines administered” as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas.
Hospitalisations
- Cases in hospital: total number 305: Northland: 2; North Shore: 45; Middlemore: 110; Auckland: 100; Tauranga: 5; Taranaki: 3; Waikato: 34; Canterbury: 3; Southern: 3
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 52
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 5
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (34 cases / 14.4%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (5 cases / 2.1%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (111 cases / 47%); unknown (48 cases / 20.3%)
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases (PCR): 6705
- Number of new community cases: 14,941
- Number of new community cases (PCR): 5,747
- Number of new community cases (RAT): 9,194
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (225), Auckland (9,046), Waikato (1,519), Bay of Plenty (812), Lakes (208), Hawke’s Bay (136), MidCentral (142), Whanganui (19), Taranaki (100), Tairāwhiti (69), Wairarapa (45), Capital and Coast (516), Hutt Valley (373), Nelson Marlborough (158), Canterbury (981), South Canterbury (44), Southern (532), West Coast (9); Unknown (5)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 41
- Number of active community cases (total): 67,632 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 85,667
Tests
- Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 27,789
- PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 28,844
- PCR testing positivity (last 24 hours): 27.98%
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests stock available in New Zealand: 6.9 million (Please note that this number is not updated over the weekend and reflects the number of tests as of Friday.)
- King Charles Welcomes Samoa Prime Minster Fiame Naomi to Buckingham Palace with a Smile - December 3, 2023
- Australia-Tuvalu deal brings a visa-free Pacific closer - November 28, 2023
- Today in History: 60th Anniversary of the Assassination of President John F Kennedy - November 28, 2023
