There are 6152 new community cases of Covid-19, as officials report 49 deaths in the past 24 hours.
The Public Health Agency’s Deputy Director-General Dr Andrew Old gave the update on the Covid-19 response and winter illness, at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
There are 663 people in hospital with the virus.
Old said case rates have continued to trend lower, dropping 18% in the past week, to July 31.
Cases in those over the age of 65 – one of the groups hardest hit in this most recent surge – have dropped by 21% in the past week.
Health officials are giving an update on the country’s Covid-19 response in a press conference at midday.
“For now at least, we are seeing a true decline in community transmission of Covid-19,” Old said.
Old was joined virtually by Dr Nick Chamberlain, National Director of the National Public Health Service, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand).
MORE TO COME.
