There are 11 Covid deaths reported today and 6242 new community cases. 

A total of 553 people are in hospital, including 23 in ICU. 

The Ministry of Health said it was not able to provide more detail on the 11 deaths with Covid reported today. The number the publicly reported Covid-related deaths is now 597. 

"This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts are with them." 

Today's cases are in: Northland (295), Waitemata (526), Auckland (453), Counties Manukau (396), Waikato (463), Bay of Plenty (264), Lakes (105), Hawke's Bay (187), MidCentral (269), Whanganui (94), Taranaki (223), Tairāwhiti (53), Wairarapa (69), Capital and Coast (425), Hutt Valley (226), Nelson Marlborough (178), Canterbury (1066), South Canterbury (136), Southern (746) and the West Coast (63). 

The seven-day rolling average of cases has continued to decline – today's average is 7986 while last Monday it was 10,169. 

"The number of reported community cases is expected to continue to fluctuate day to day, but the overall trend remains an overall reduction in reported cases." 

Yesterday's statement included 537 fighting the virus in hospitals around the country. 

Authorities said the seven-day rolling average of case numbers continues to go down, with yesterday's seven-day rolling average at 8170. Last week, on Sunday, that figure was 10,543. 

Details about the 10 people who died with Covid - including a breakdown of their ages and locations - were not available yesterday, the ministry said. 

"This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts are with them." 

Border case identification changes 

From today, only people who arrive in New Zealand and then test positive for Covid-19 within seven days of their arrival will be recorded as a border Covid case. 

Previously, a positive border case would have been recorded as such within 14 days of arriving into the country. 

The ministry said: "Any recent arrivals testing positive for Covid-19 after seven days will now be reported as a community case – reflecting where the most likely source of infection after being in the country for more than a week." 

That change comes as health authorities are keeping a watchful eye on a new Omicron subvariant – XE – which has been confirmed in across the Tasman. 

Experts say it is now only a matter of time before it arrives in New Zealand and with it, our next big Covid threat. 

Today's gloomy weather may well keep many more people indoors in parts of the North Island today, but authorities are reminding people to be prepared if they are away and happen to catch Covid. 

"We are reminding you that if you are travelling this Easter weekend, you should have plans in place in the event you contract Covid-19 or are identified as a household contact of a case." 

Authorities say holidaymakers should be prepared to pay extra costs should they find themselves positive with Covid and stuck at a particular location or accommodation away from their home towns. 

Those who find themselves in that situation are encouraged to check the ministry's website for information and advice about the help they can get.