COVID-19

Protect yourself, your whānau, and your community from COVID-19 

COVID-19 is in our community and Aotearoa New Zealand. Take steps to protect yourself and your whānau from COVID-19 by:

• Getting vaccinated, and get the booster dose as soon as you are eligible. We know this is important in reducing transmission and severe infection.
• Wearing a face mask in certain healthcare facilities, such as hospitals.
• Maintaining good hand hygiene.
• Staying home if you're sick. If you are unwell with any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and arrange to be tested. If you have COVID-19 you must isolate for 7 days.
• Making a plan - be prepared to self-isolate if you get COVID-19. Seek welfare support where needed.
• Getting support and advice. There is support and advice available if you test positive for COVID-19 and need to self-isolate.

COVID-19 vaccination – our best defence

COVID-19 vaccination is our best protection against COVID-19 and is free for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. Anyone aged 5 years and over can get the vaccine – it doesn’t matter what your visa or citizenship status is.

Ages 16+ are eligible for boosters. If you've had COVID-19 it's recommended you wait 3 months after testing positive before getting any COVID-19 vaccination.

You can book in for your vaccine here: Book My Vaccine 

Further information on the vaccine and vaccination programme can be found at the following places:

• For people living in the Bay of Plenty district
• For people living in the Lakes District
• Ministry of Health
• Unite against COVID
• Other credible sources and resources on COVID-19 vaccination 
• Toi Te Ora Public Health COVID-19 vaccination information

Total number of COVID-19 reported cases for the week ending Wednesday 15 March 2023 

The following case numbers are updated weekly on Fridays. Daily case numbers by districts are available on the Ministry of Health website here.

Reported cases for the two weeks ending Wednesday 15 March 2023

Note: Data supplied by the Ministry of Health. These numbers will be updated every Friday. 

Other useful links and resources

 More information on COVID-19 can be found at the following websites:

• COVID-19 – Ministry of Health
• Unite against COVID – New Zealand Government
• COVID-19 - Ministry for Pacific Peoples
• Karawhiua - Te Puni Kōkiri

 
You can also head directly here for latest updates:

• Unite against COVID
• Ministry of Health

For Health Professionals

Public health advice and information for health professionals in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts can be found here.

For businesses

• COVID-19 support - Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

For schools

• COVID-19 - Ministry of Education

For specific audiences

• COVID-19 Guidance for Places of Worship - Toi Te Ora Public Health

Exercising after COVID

• Returning to Exercise After Covid-19 Infection - Toi Te Ora Public Health