165 new cases of Covid-19 in Taranaki
There were 165 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Taranaki yesterday, bringing the number of active community cases around the maunga to 546.
Of those 546 cases, 449 are in north Taranaki, 31 are in central, and South Taranaki has 65 cases. The remaining case is from out of the region, but is being managed by the Taranaki DHB.
‘‘We expect this to happen occasionally,’’ the Taranaki DHB said in a statement.
One person with Covid19-related symptoms remains in Taranaki Base Hospital.
The new cases represent a 540 per cent increase on the 26 new cases from one week ago.
Taranaki DHB modelling at the end of January, which medical officer of health Dr Jonathan Jarman said at the time was ‘‘an optimistic scenario’’, had daily Covid cases reaching 370 a day at the beginning of March.
This model expected the virus to be out of control in February and to peak in March.
However, trying to predict Omicron is a very uncertain science, Jarman said at the time.
TDHB said testing remained ‘‘steady’’ across the region and would operate in a flexible way across the weekend to meet demand. ‘‘Rapid antigen tests (RATS) will be available around the region at the north and South Taranaki community testing centres, general practices and designated pharmacies.’’
More details are available on the TDHB website.
The TDHB said 591 vaccinations were carried out on Monday, the latest figures available. This brings the total number of booster shots to 52,128, with 5362 child/tamariki inoculations (42 per cent).
In all, 93 per cent of eligible Taranaki residents are now fully vaccinated, 95 per cent have had a first dose and 68 per cent a booster. Eighty-seven per cent of Maori are fully vaccinated, and 91 per cent have had a first jab.
Meanwhile, the protest on New Plymouth’s foreshore is continuing. A group of protestors has been gathered near the Wind Wand since Saturday. They say they will remain until further notice.