Earlier today, health officials reported 6498 community cases, a further eight deaths, and 487 hospitalisations. This included the population's waning immunity, the colder, winter conditions, relaxed public health measures, and the sense of Covid-19 fatigue. "This virus - particularly Omicron - is showing a great ability to keep producing subvariants that evade prior immunity. Baker said vaccine manufacturers had completed successful trials showing reformulated vaccines could provide additional protection against BA.4 and BA.5. BA.5 is a sub-variant of Omicron and was first detected in New Zealand along with other sub-variants BA.2.12.1 and BA.4 in April, 2022.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 04, 2022 21:04 UTC