Community cases lower in Waikato

Covid-19 cases in Waikato have dropped after several days of steady increases, and the region’s vaccination rate continues to climb.

The Ministry of Health reported just two additional community cases in Waikato yesterday, one in Te Awamutu and one in Hamilton. Also, 67 per cent of the Waikato District Health Board’s eligible population is fully vaccinated against the virus.

But seven cases in Waikato remain unlinked, including the newest two.

Investigations and interviews were being held to work out how those people became infected.

One community case of Covid-19 was in Waikato Hospital, out of the 50 in hospital care around the country.

On Saturday there were eight new cases of Covid-19 in Waikato: seven in Te Awamutu and one in Hamilton.

On Friday there were nine cases: five in Te Awamutu, two in Hamilton, one in Whatawhata and one in the Cambridge/ Karapiro area.

In total there are now 83 cases in Waikato, 16 of whom have recovered, the ministry reported yesterday.

Te Awamutu also had new locations of interest added yesterday: Caltex Super Service Station and Pak ’N Save.

Waikato District Health Board is continuing testing throughout the region to help determine any undetected community spread of the virus.

The health ministry urged anyone in Waikato – and particularly Te Awamutu – to get tested if they had any symptoms that could be Covid-19.

Te Awamutu’s case numbers were up to 30 of the total 83 Waikato cases.

Testing locations around Waikato are available on the Healthpoint website and the Waikato DHB website and will operate through Labour Weekend.

On Saturday, there were 4195 tests processed in Waikato. There were also 2542 vaccinations recorded in the region on Saturday. Of those, 970 were first doses and a further 1572 were second doses.

■ News of two cases in Ō torohanga came later yesterday, with district mayor Max Baxter confirming it on his Facebook page.

The Ministry of Health said the people concerned were from the same household and early indications were they were close contacts of a Te Awamutu case.