https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/rss NZME The latest Covid-19 news and interviews from New Zealand and around the world on the coronavirus pandemic Wed, 27 May 2026 17:35:45 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-coronavirus-omicron-outbreak-4790-new-cases-25-virus-related-deaths/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-coronavirus-omicron-outbreak-4790-new-cases-25-virus-related-deaths/ There are 4790 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today. The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 5608 – last Saturday, it was 7405. Sat, 06 Aug 2022 01:11:20 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/computer-glitch-ministry-of-health-accidentally-tells-thousands-they-have-covid-19/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/computer-glitch-ministry-of-health-accidentally-tells-thousands-they-have-covid-19/ The Ministry of Health has apologised after accidentally sending a text message to 6000 people telling them they have Covid-19 and need to isolate. Mon, 20 Jun 2022 07:38:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-pfizer-vaccine-few-children-experienced-adverse-side-effects-survey-shows/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-pfizer-vaccine-few-children-experienced-adverse-side-effects-survey-shows/ By RNZ Fri, 22 Apr 2022 04:51:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-11-deaths-7592-community-cases-nzs-death-toll-now-at-500/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-11-deaths-7592-community-cases-nzs-death-toll-now-at-500/ There are 11 Covid-related deaths reported today, taking this country's total virus-related death toll to 500 since the pandemic began. Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:13:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-new-zealands-steady-decline-in-cases-continues/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-new-zealands-steady-decline-in-cases-continues/ New Zealand has recorded its lowest reported Covid-19 daily tally since late February, while one expert says the country has reached an infection milestone. Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:41:32 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-dunedin-study-links-vaccine-hesitancy-with-bad-childhood-experiences/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-dunedin-study-links-vaccine-hesitancy-with-bad-childhood-experiences/ By RNZ Fri, 08 Apr 2022 03:09:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-patient-numbers-down-but-auckland-hospitals-remain-under-pressure/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-patient-numbers-down-but-auckland-hospitals-remain-under-pressure/ By Rowan Quinn of RNZ Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:48:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-10-deaths-9-906-cases-today-as-long-tail-of-hospitalisations-continues/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-10-deaths-9-906-cases-today-as-long-tail-of-hospitalisations-continues/ There are 9,906 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today. Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:26:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine-protects-m%C4%81ori-pasifika-just-as-well-study/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine-protects-m%C4%81ori-pasifika-just-as-well-study/ One of the first studies of its kind has found that Māori and Pasifika, while at higher risk from Covid-19, are reassuringly no less protected by the vaccine than other groups. Thu, 07 Apr 2022 23:04:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-nine-deaths-10-205-cases-as-cabinet-meets-to-discuss-traffic-light-settings/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-nine-deaths-10-205-cases-as-cabinet-meets-to-discuss-traffic-light-settings/ There are nine Covid-related deaths reported today and a total of 10,205 new community cases. Mon, 04 Apr 2022 00:14:28 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/new-covid-strain-potentially-10-per-cent-more-transmissible-than-omicron/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/new-covid-strain-potentially-10-per-cent-more-transmissible-than-omicron/ The World Health Organisation is keeping an eye on a new strain of the Covid-19 Omicron variant which appears to be 10 per cent more transmissible than BA.2 Omicron, the current strain circulating in New Zealand. Sun, 03 Apr 2022 21:34:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-anti-vaccine-mandate-parliament-protest-policing-cost-more-than-430-000-excluding-wages/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-anti-vaccine-mandate-parliament-protest-policing-cost-more-than-430-000-excluding-wages/ By Anneke Smith of RNZ Fri, 01 Apr 2022 06:15:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-two-doctors-suspended-over-anti-vax-claims-win-court-appeals/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-two-doctors-suspended-over-anti-vax-claims-win-court-appeals/ By Sam Olley of RNZ Fri, 01 Apr 2022 04:43:36 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-covid-positive-lab-staff-forced-to-use-up-sick-leave/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-covid-positive-lab-staff-forced-to-use-up-sick-leave/ Staff at one of New Zealand's largest Covid-19 test processors are not given special leave if they test positive for the virus and must use up their sick leave.  Wed, 30 Mar 2022 04:26:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-in-new-zealand-will-i-be-reinfected-with-omicron/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-in-new-zealand-will-i-be-reinfected-with-omicron/ Modellers estimate as many as 1.7 million Kiwis have been exposed to the coronavirus – while more than four million of us have received at least one dose of the vaccine. What does that mean for immunity and our risk of reinfection? Jamie Morton explains.  Tue, 29 Mar 2022 07:17:54 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-34-covid-related-deaths-reported-today-17-148-community-cases-and-842-in-hospital/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-34-covid-related-deaths-reported-today-17-148-community-cases-and-842-in-hospital/ There are 34 deaths, 17,148 Covid community cases and 842 people in hospital - with 26 in ICU - today.  Mon, 28 Mar 2022 23:50:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-hundreds-opt-for-novavax-in-first-two-weeks-of-rollout/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-hundreds-opt-for-novavax-in-first-two-weeks-of-rollout/ By RNZ  Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:53:57 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-the-antivirals-are-coming-how-do-they-work/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-the-antivirals-are-coming-how-do-they-work/ New oral drugs shown to greatly slash the risk of severe sickness or death from Covid-19 are soon to be available to vulnerable Kiwis who need them. What are antivirals? Science reporter Jamie Morton explains.  Mon, 28 Mar 2022 05:31:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-11-covid-related-deaths-12-882-community-cases-and-861-in-hospital-today/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-11-covid-related-deaths-12-882-community-cases-and-861-in-hospital-today/ There are 11 Covid-related deaths, 12,882 new cases in the community and 861 people in hospital - including 21 in ICU - today. Sun, 27 Mar 2022 23:24:20 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-hundreds-more-may-die-in-first-wave-modeller-says/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-hundreds-more-may-die-in-first-wave-modeller-says/ By Hamish Cardwell for RNZ Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:45:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-pandemic-modeller-hopeful-omicron-hospitalisations-have-peaked/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-pandemic-modeller-hopeful-omicron-hospitalisations-have-peaked/ New Zealand has recorded a drop in daily community cases as the country gets used to no gathering restrictions on outdoor events. Sun, 27 Mar 2022 18:33:23 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-four-dead-10-239-new-community-cases-today/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-four-dead-10-239-new-community-cases-today/ Four people have died with Covid, and there are 10,239 new community cases today, the Ministry of Health says.  Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:00:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-20-deaths-and-14-000-new-cases/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-20-deaths-and-14-000-new-cases/ Twenty people have died with Covid marking New Zealand's deadliest day.  Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:02:14 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-measuring-and-reporting-deaths-what-you-need-to-know/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-measuring-and-reporting-deaths-what-you-need-to-know/ By Leith Huffadine of RNZ Fri, 25 Mar 2022 02:14:50 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-15-871-new-community-covid-cases-13-new-deaths/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-15-871-new-community-covid-cases-13-new-deaths/ There are 15,871 new community Covid cases today and 13 new deaths.  Thu, 24 Mar 2022 23:28:25 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-hospitals-face-influx-of-infected-pregnant-women-worried-their-baby-isnt-moving/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-hospitals-face-influx-of-infected-pregnant-women-worried-their-baby-isnt-moving/ An Auckland obstetrician says she is seeing an influx of Covid-infected pregnant women turning up at hospital because they are worried they can't feel their baby moving.  Thu, 24 Mar 2022 07:39:36 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-deltacron-variant-what-you-need-to-know/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-deltacron-variant-what-you-need-to-know/ There's a new Covid-19 variant making headlines around the world – Deltacron. Whatever you may think about that name, it's exactly what it sounds like – a combination of the Delta and Omicron variants.  Thu, 24 Mar 2022 07:33:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-todays-case-numbers-to-be-revealed-as-hospitals-continue-to-grapple-with-staff-shortages/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-todays-case-numbers-to-be-revealed-as-hospitals-continue-to-grapple-with-staff-shortages/ There are 18,423 new Covid cases today and 11 new deaths to report with 913 people in hospital.  Wed, 23 Mar 2022 23:41:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-what-to-expect-from-ba2s-rise-and-rise-in-nz/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-what-to-expect-from-ba2s-rise-and-rise-in-nz/ BA.2 is on track to all but squeeze its Omicron cousin out of Covid-19 circulation in New Zealand – but there's still no clear evidence the faster-spreading sub-type is making people sicker.  Wed, 23 Mar 2022 01:33:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-blanket-vax-pass-mandates-now-much-less-effective-modeller/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19/covid-19-blanket-vax-pass-mandates-now-much-less-effective-modeller/ A top Covid-19 modeller has backed the Government's reasoning for ending the need for vaccine passes in venues like restaurants and bars – but says keeping mask rules in place will be "crucial" for curbing Covid-19 spread.  Wed, 23 Mar 2022 01:00:09 Z