Topp twins among cases
The Ministry of Health reported a further six Covid-related deaths yesterday. There were 6635 new community cases reported and 400 people are in hospital with the virus, including 12 in intensive care.
The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 7972 – up from last Saturday’s 7595.
The six deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 1045, and the seven-day rolling average to 13.
One of those who died was in their 60s, two were in their 70s, two were in their 80s and one was over 90.
Kiwi entertainment legends Dame Jools and Dame Lynda Topp also announced they have contracted Covid-19.
The sisters, who went public in March with their breast cancer battles, spent their birthday together last weekend, after not being able to see each other for more than four months. According to an update on the twins’ Facebook page, they are both home now but having to fight further health issues after the Covid diagnosis.
Yesterday’s numbers came as two Auckland schools revert to compulsory mask-wearing in classrooms.
Masks must be worn in class at Takapuna Grammar from tomorrow and will be returned to use in Pt Chevalier School’s Year 4 to 6 classrooms — with Years 1 to 3 also encouraged to mask up.
“There is no apparent spread of Covid in classes or while at school but there are several staff and students involved in the school production Mamma Mia who have tested positive for Covid,” Takapuna Grammar principal Mary Nixon told parents in a newsletter.
Point Chevalier School principal Stephen Lethbridge said they made the decision to bring back compulsory mask-wearing after noticing “significantly more cases around the school and community this week than last week and the week before”.
“We think it is prudent that we make sure we keep staff and kids as safe as possible.”