Covid-19: 3657 new cases, 40 further deaths

There have been 3657 new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand over the week to Sunday, and 40 further deaths attributed to the virus.

The number of deaths was nearly double that reported by Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ last week.

Of the new cases, 2158 were reinfections.

There were 208 cases in hospital; none of these patients were in intensive care.

Last week, the Ministry of Health reported 8943 new cases and 25 further deaths.

The latest figures follow the announcement the dedicated Covid-19 Healthline and doctor services had ended.

Both were set up by the Ministry of Health as part of the country’s Covid-19 response, and run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa New Zealand Telehealth Services.

Funding for the services finished on 30 June.

Health NZ’s Martin Hefford said the public health system was changing the way it responded to Covid-19.

Covid would be managed as “business as usual” and treated in a similar way to other communicable diseases, like SARS, he said.

Healthline nurses and paramedics would continue to provide advice and information.