Coronavirus: New Zealand has 15,000 cases on sixth day of record infections; Japan to extend quasi-emergency

New Zealand on Sunday reported almost 15,000 community infections of Covid-19, shattering the previous case count record for the sixth day in a row amid an Omicron outbreak.

Over the course of the past week, the number of newly detected Covid-19 community cases each day has more than quintupled – from just over 2,500 cases reported last Sunday to 14,941 this Sunday.

The huge spike in cases has singled New Zealand out as one of the most infectious places in the world at the moment, according to a new analysis. Since last Sunday, hospitalisations have also climbed but not nearly at the same rate. There were 100 Covid-19 patients in hospital one week ago and 263 on Saturday.

“A preprint Swedish study comparing Omicron period vs Delta found that risk of severe disease was lower with Omicron by 40 per cent for unvaccinated and 71 per cent less for vaccinated individuals,” the report states.

The Covid numbers come as anti-mandate protests in the capital continue – and as health officials warn that they are potentially becoming Superspreader events.

Protesters who have been in Wellington were beginning to show up in hospitals around the country with Covid-19 after returning home, the health and police officials said on Saturday.