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Live: 5933 community cases and 10 deaths today

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Sun, 17 Apr 2022, 1:06PM
Photo / Getty Images
Photo / Getty Images

Live: 5933 community cases and 10 deaths today

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Sun, 17 Apr 2022, 1:06PM

There are ten new Covid-19 deaths in New Zealand. 

The country has recorded 5933 new cases in the last 24 hours. 

There are 537 people in hospital with Covid, 20 of those in ICU. 

The latest numbers mean that the seven-day rolling average of cases continues to decline, with today's seven-day rolling average at 8,170 – while last Sunday it was 10,543. 

Case numbers in New Zealand continue to decline, overall, but the number is expected to keep fluctuating for a while. 

The Ministry of Health pointed out in today's release that some of its usual breakdowns in case numbers are unavailable, due to the Easter public holiday. 

Ten new Covid deaths reported 

Today's ten Covid deaths bring the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 in New Zealand to 586 — and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths to 14. 1:04 

"This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts are with them," MOH said in a statement. 

Warning to Easter holidaymakers 

The Ministry is reminding holidaymakers around the country that they should have plans in place in case they contract Covid-19 while away from home, or in case they become a household contact of a Covid case. 

The need to isolate wherever they are on holiday could result in added costs to people travelling for Easter. 

"You would need to self-isolate and likely remain wherever you test positive or become a household contact, so there may be extra costs involved in paying for additional accommodation and changing your travel plans," the Ministry said in a statement. 

According to the Ministry, there are three things holidaymakers can do to help protect themselves and those around them: make sure their vaccination is up to date, wear a mask, and stay home if unwell or awaiting results of a Covid-19 test. 

Earlier today 

The Ministry of Health will today release the latest Covid numbers, as Kiwis continue to travel around the country for the Easter holidays. 

There were 13,636 new community cases of Covid-19 and a further 30 virus-related deaths reported yesterday, relating to the prior 48 hours. 

There was no Government statement on Covid numbers on Good Friday. 

New Zealand moved to the less restrictive orange traffic light pandemic response setting at 11.59pm on Wednesday in time for the Easter holidays. 

As people enjoy the long weekend around the country, there are no indoor or outdoor capacity limits. Seated rules have also been removed. 

However, masks are still required at some gatherings and events, close-proximity businesses such as hairdressers and retail stores. The seven-day isolation requirement for positive cases remains. 

Health officials have previously warned if people catch Covid while they are on the road, they may need to self-isolate wherever they test positive or become a household contact. 

"There may be extra costs involved in paying for additional accommodation and changing your travel plans," the ministry said. 

If a case had used their own vehicle to travel, they could go back to their home to isolate but needed to take public health measures to ensure they didn't infect anyone on their way home. 

This included maintaining social distance and using self-service petrol stations, the ministry said. 

However, if a person had used public transport or travelled between islands, they would not be able to isolate at home. 

It was important people had a plan and the ability to isolate where they were holidaying, if they needed to, the ministry said. 

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