There are 43 new community cases of Covid-19 and 41 new cases in MIQ facilities.
Photo: 123RF
Of the new community cases there are 19 in Auckland, four in Waikato, six in Lakes, six in Hawke's Bay and eight in Nelson Marlborough.
The Nelson Tasman cases were reported yesterday but added to the official tally today. One of the cases in Hawke's Bay was also reported yesterday.
The Ministry of Health has confimed an Auckland airport worker who tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday has the Omicron variant of the virus.
The is the second Auckland aiport worker to test positive for Omicron, after a worker was confirmed on Thursday to have the variant.
The new case has been potentially linked to returnees in Rotorua and Auckland through whole genome sequencing, the ministry said.
Of the 32 contacts identified in connection to the case, around half have been contacted and tested. So far, 16 contacts have returned a negative test and as reported yesterday, one household member has tested positive.
Yesterday a person who tested positive for Covid-19 in Palmerston North after finishing their stay in MIQ in Christchurch was confirmed to have the Omicron variant.
The ministry says it has identified 76 contacts linked to this case of Omicron. Of these, all but two have been contacted and 66 have returned a negative result.
Nelson Tasman cases linked to flights
Yesterday people in the Nelson Tasman area were warned to stay vigilant and get tested after nine people from the same household tested positive for Covid-19. One of those cases was counted in yesterday's tally, and eight were included in today's tally.
Five flights have now been linked to these cases and are locations of interest. An Air New Zealand crew member on the same flight as the nine cases has now also tested positive.
The crew member felt unwell and was tested on top of their regular surveillance testing.
This flight, and four other flights the crew member worked during their infectious period are:
- Flight NZ 5083 from Auckland to Nelson at 5.20 pm on 16 January
- Flight NZ 5080 from Nelson to Auckland at 4 pm on 19 January
- Flight NZ 5077 from Auckland to Nelson at 2pm on 19 January
- Flight NZ 5049 from Auckland to New Plymouth at 7.50 pm on 19 January
- Flight NZ 5042 from New Plymouth to Auckland at 1.50 pm on 20 January
Anyone who was on these flights and who has not yet been contacted should get tested and isolate at home, the ministry said.
What happened earlier?
There were 23 new Covid-19 cases in the community yesterday, with 44 cases in MIQ, and 18 people in hospital with the virus.
New modelling shows Auckland could have 1500 to 1800 daily Omicron cases within weeks of an outbreak, but some warn the numbers could be even higher.
Prominent University of Auckland microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles said the government's red light restrictions setting in the Covid-19 protection framework will not be enough to slow Omicron.
Her concerns echo other experts who earlier appealed to the government to take more steps to prepare for Omicron.
