Covid reaches Hawke’s Bay as protesters face police follow-up

HAWKE’S Bay is the latest region to report a case of Covid-19, as the number of regions with confirmed cases grows.

The Ministry of Health earlier reported 172 new cases yesterday. It said 148 were in Auckland, 12 in Waikato, four in Northland, four in the Lakes DHB area, three in the Bay of Plenty, and one in Wellington.

The Wellington case was previously said to be a ‘‘weak positive’’ case identified on Thursday, and announced on Friday. A second positive swab result confirmed the case was active, rather than historical.

Meanwhile, the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board confirmed yesterday evening it had been told a traveller from Auckland was isolating in Hawke’s Bay. That person had been permitted to travel out of Auckland and tested positive after arriving in Hawke’s Bay. It is understood the person had been in the region since Wednesday.

Outside of Auckland,

Northland and Waikato there have also been cases in Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Taupo¯ , Manawatu¯ , Tararua, Wellington, and Wairarapa.

Protests against vaccination mandates and lockdowns continued across the country yesterday.

In Auckland, police said they were following up after Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki addressed a crowd of several thousand people at Auckland Domain.

Previous demonstrations in the Domain have led to charges against the alleged organisers, including Tamaki, whose bail conditions include not attending or organising any protest.