October 19, 2021
Covid cases spread to 124 suburbs
Auckland’s public health team is concerned at the increasing positive rates of Covid tests done on the North Shore, and is asking people in the area to get tested if they have symptoms.
There are 94 new cases of Covid-19 today in the community.
All seven Waikato cases have been linked to other cases, but 53 of the 87 Auckland cases have yet to be linked, and 19 of yesterday’s 60 Auckland cases are also unlinked.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there are now cases across 124 Auckland suburbs.
She says many of the cases come from people not following the rules, so moving back to level 4 would not change the situation.
Case numbers are high among unvaccinated people under 39, including 12 of the 34 hospitalisations.
Ms Ardern says the 158,522 Aucklanders who are still unvaccinated need to get their shots so restrictions can be eased.
The Associate Minister for Māori Health, Peeni Henare, says 45.7 percent of cases in the past two weeks have been Māori.
He praised the Māori vaccination efforts, and said they highlight the importance of improving primary care services for Māori.