Four new cases in Waikato

There are four new community cases of Covid-19 in Waikato, according to the Ministry of Health, all in the Te Awamutu/Kihikihi area.

The Ministry confirmed in a statement at 1pm that all new Waikato cases were expected, linked and were in isolation at home with public health support.

The new cases bring the Waikato’s total during this outbreak to 91, with six cases for which epidemiological links remain under investigation.

Waikato DHB is continuing to carry out testing throughout the region to help determine any undetected community spread of Covid-19.

Two bakeries have been added as locations of interest in Tokoroa, connected with a person who stayed at a residential address overnight in the town before flying to Blenheim from Rotorua Airport.

The DHB has a pop-up testing site open in Tokoroa through to at least Thursday at the hospital car park.

Interviews are continuing with the person who flew to Blenheim with their three close contacts, including two household contacts, due for further testing this week.

All three returned negative test results over the weekend but people living in Tokoroa, Blenheim, Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough are asked to monitor the Ministry’s locations of interest page as it is regularly updated.

Anyone in Waikato, particularly people in Te Awamutu and Ō torohanga, is also urged to get tested if they have any symptoms.

Testing locations can be found on the Waikato DHB website or Healthpoint website.

Over the long weekend there were 9089 tests processed for Waikato, including 1951 on Monday.

There were 4160 vaccinations over the same period, including 670 on Monday. Although many vaccination sites were open throughout the weekend, reduced numbers were expected.

Pop-up testing centres are also open in Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Ō torohanga, and Whatawhata.

There were 79 new community cases across the country on Monday with 46 linked and 33 remaining unlinked as investigations continue.

Waikato community cases of Covid19 reported over the past week

Tuesday, October 19: Seven new cases reported, 52 total cases in the region. Wednesday, October 20: Four new cases reported, 56 total cases in the region Thursday, October 21: Eight new cases reported, 64 total cases in the region Friday, October 22: Nine new cases reported, 73 total cases in the region Saturday, October 23: Eight new cases reported, 81 total cases in the region Sunday, October 24: Two new cases reported, 83 total cases in the region Monday, October 25: Four new cases reported, 87 total cases in the region Tuesday, October 26: Four new cases reported, 91 total cases in the region