The Ministry of Health has confirmed the deaths of two people with COVID-19 today and 2,365 new community cases of the virus.
“Sadly, we are today reporting the death of a patient at Middlemore Hospital,” the Ministry said in a statement.
“The family has requested that no further details be released and, out of respect for those wishes, we will be making no further comment.
“Additionally, we are also saddened to report the death of a patient in their 70s at Auckland City Hospital following a diagnosis of COVID-19.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with both patients’ family and friends,” the Ministry said.
The deaths have been recorded as the Ministry announced that more than 2.1 million booster shots had now been given nationally, with more than 15,000 administered yesterday.
“Getting the booster dose greatly reduces your chances of getting severely ill and requiring hospital care if you test positive for COVID-19, so if it’s been three months since your last dose, please book your booster today,” the Ministry said.
Additionally, 90% of Māori in Counties Manukau DHB have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Omicron has spread to all DHBs across the North and South Islands, but all of us can play our part to slow the spread of the virus, help protect our most vulnerable people from being infected, and ensure our health system is able to manage extra demand for services.”
“As always, anyone with any cold or flu symptoms that could be COVID-19 is asked to get a test and isolate at home until a negative result is returned and they are feeling well. Regardless of your test result, it is still important that anyone who is unwell stays home to reduce the spread of other viruses,” the Ministry said.
It said the most common early symptom of the Omicron variant is a cough, followed by a sore throat and/or runny nose.
