The number of covid-19 vaccinations given out during New Zealand’s Super Saturday event yesterday has just ticked over the 130,000 mark.

In a statement this afternoon – in which it was confirmed there were 51 new community cases today – the Health Ministry said a total of 130,002 doses were given out across the country yesterday.

They included 39,025 first doses and 90,977 second doses.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the record-breaking numbers provided a “huge boost” to New Zealand’s fight against the coronavirus.

“People across the motu embraced Super Saturday like their communities’ lives depended on it. It was inspiring to witness as we know the Covid-19 vaccine is key to our efforts to control the virus,” he said.

Dr Bloomfield said Auckland did “incredibly well” with 41,081 people vaccinated there yesterday, including 9,039 first doses and 32,042 second doses.

“They’ve hit 89 percent of their eligible population who have had their first dose and are tantalisingly close to reaching 90 percent,” he said.

‘Get vaccinated asap’ plea
“I continue to urge everyone in Auckland who hasn’t received their first vaccination to get vaccinated as soon as possible. And remember, we’re not stopping at 90 percent – the higher, the better for everyone.”

There has now been a total of 6314,182 doses given in New Zealand – 3,565,822 (85 percent) first doses and 2,748,360 (65 percent) second doses.

Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker today called for more mass vaccination events, saying the first one united the country.

The Health Ministry confirmed 51 new community cases today, including four in Waikato.

There was no media conference today.

In its statement, the ministry said two of the Waikato cases were linked to earlier cases and they are investigating any links the other two may have.

“One lives in Hamilton and the other has an address in Kihikihi. It is possible that the Kihikihi case is the source of the wastewater detections in Te Awamutu, however this has not yet been confirmed.”

23 cases remain unlinked
It said 28 of today’s 51 cases were linked, of whom 18 were household contacts, and 23 remained unlinked with investigations continuing.

The ministry also said it could also confirm that there was one household in the area Wellsford with cases, after two positive detections in wastewater.

“Wellsford residents are urged to remain vigilant and get tested if they have any symptoms.”

There were 41 new community cases yesterday, all in Auckland except for one that was identified in Waikato.

There have now been 1945 cases in the current outbreak, and 4632 in this country since the pandemic began.

There are 29 people in hospital, including five in intensive care.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Ka pai Aotearoa, we’ve reached 100,000 COVID-19 doses for #SuperSaturday! pic.twitter.com/VBdTw8ab3R

— Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (@minhealthnz) October 16, 2021

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Aotearoa New Zealand easily eclipsed the government’s “Super Saturday” day-long goal of 100,000 vaccine doses today, with 129,519 doses given out by 8pm closing.

By 2.39pm, there had already been a total of 90,616 doses across the country, according to the Ministry of Health.

Vaccine clinics were open across the country as health workers target a 90 percent vaccination milestone.

By 5.30pm, there had been a total of 124,669 doses.

Speaking on the televised Vaxathon event this afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said 150,000 doses was now the new target for the country.

Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield were going around the Wellington region, as they joined the drive to get people vaccinated.

The ministry reported 41 new community cases of covid-19 in New Zealand today.

There was no media conference today. In a statement, the ministry said there were also two new cases in managed isolation.

It said 20 of the community cases were linked, and 21 remained unlinked with investigations continuing.

There were 124 unlinked cases from the past 14 days.

One of today’s new cases was in Waikato. The ministry said the case was a household member of two existing cases and was already in a quarantine facility in Auckland.

There are now 31 people in hospital, all in Auckland, including six in intensive care.

There were 65 new cases yesterday.

There have now been 1895 cases in the current community outbreak and 4580 since the pandemic began.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

A third woman who was with the two women who travelled to Northland also tests positive https://t.co/klbr0WLtAc

— RNZ News (@rnz_news) October 16, 2021

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

More than 120 extra vaccination sites will be open for New Zealand’s ‘Super Saturday’ event tomorrow, with the Ministry of Health saying vaccines remain the country’s “number one protection against covid-19”, reports RNZ News.

The Vaxathon — New Zealand’s first — aims to boost vaccination numbers by around 100,000.

The event will run from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday and will be broadcast on multiple platforms, including TV3, Māori Television and on Hahana’s Facebook page.

Well-known celebrities, influencers and health professionals will front the live broadcast to help capture the atmosphere and experiences of those receiving their first or second vaccine.

RNZ will be providing on air and online coverage, including a live blog, from across the nation.

More about Super Saturday here.

All of today’s 65 new community cases in New Zealand were recorded in Auckland.

There was no media conference today. In a statement, the ministry said 34 of these cases were linked, 10 were household contacts, and 31 remained unlinked with investigations continuing.

There have been 107 unlinked cases in the past 14 days.

While the cases were all in Tāmaki Makaurau, a second test for covid-19 in Te Awamutu’s wastewater returned a positive result.

The sample was taken on Wednesday, after detection of covid-19 in wastewater on Tuesday.

As part of the effort to get everyone in Aotearoa vaccinated against COVID-19, a dedicated team has been put in place to support people with disabilities to access the vaccine. ? Read more about these important services here: https://t.co/qMzckiq0We pic.twitter.com/Kp68QQojYQ

— Ministry for Pacific Peoples (@Pacific_Peoples) October 12, 2021

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz