24 deaths and 8454 new community cases today
There have been 24 Covid-19 deaths, including a child under 10, and 8454 new community cases in New Zealand today.
There are 481 people in hospital, including 14 people in ICU or HDU.
The deaths being reported today include 12 people who died over the past three days and an additional 12 people who died since March 5.
Delays to reporting can be associated with people dying with Covid-19, rather than from Covid-19, and the virus being discovered only after they have died.
The deaths take the total number of publicly-reported deaths with Covid-19 to 801 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 13.
Nine people who died were from Auckland, four from Waikato, two from Bay of Plenty, one from Whanganui, one from MidCentral, two from the Greater Wellington region, three from Canterbury and two from Southern.
One person was under 10, one was between 10 and 19 years old, two were in their 40s, one in their 50s, two in their 60s, nine in their 70s, five in their 80s and three were aged over 90.
oday's new cases are in Northland (222), Auckland (2568), Waikato (501), Bay of Plenty (256), Lakes (142), Hawke's Bay (278), MidCentral (308), Whanganui (102), Taranaki (245), Tairawhiti (79), Wairarapa (112), Capital and Coast (614), Hutt Valley (231), Nelson Marlborough (281), Canterbury (1418), South Canterbury (106), Southern (900), West Coast (85), Unknown (6).
There were 124 new cases detected at the border
The Ministry of Health urged people to remain vigilant as community transmission of Omircon continues.
"With ongoing community transmission across the motu it is important we all remain vigilant. Please continue to follow public health advice to stay at home, away from school or work if you're feeling unwell."
They are reminding people that vaccinations are free and available to everyone aged 5 and over.
"Vaccination remains our best defence against Covid-19 and a booster – in addition to first and second doses – gives you greater immunity against Omicron and severe illness."