Sunday January 23

There are 24 new cases of Covid-19 today.

Of these, 2 are in Northland, 16 are in Auckland, 1 is in Waikato, and 5 are in Lakes. 

The 9 cases in Nelson-Tasman reported yesterday have been confirmed as the Omicron variant, and a 10th case from the same household was confirmed by the Ministry of Heath late yesterday.

They are a family who flew to Auckland on January 13 for family events. The Ministry of Health says there were at least 100 people at these events.

A further case has been identified who was a guest at the family event.

This cluster has led to the infection of a fully-vaccinated Air NZ flight attendant, who worked four further flights while infectious. 

There is not yet a clear link between the border and the source of infection for this family, like there has been with previous Omicron cases. The Ministry of Health says the risk of undetected community transmission is considered high.

Therefore the government has announced that as of midnight tonight the entire country will move to the red traffic light.

Read more: All of New Zealand is moving to Red at midnight tonight

The Ministry of Health is encouraging everyone to check locations of interest, which you can see here.

Anyone who was at a location of interest is legally required to follow the relevant instructions about isolation and testing. Failure to do so can lead to a $4000 fine of six months prison. 

Anyone with symptoms or has been to a location of interest at the times listed should get a test.

95 percent of the eligible population has now had the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 93 percent have had a second dose.

There are 8 people in hospital today, none in ICU.

Top image: Vaccination centre in Papamoa, New Zealand, October 2021. iStock/Getty Images.

More stories:

All of New Zealand is moving to Red at midnight tonight

What Māori place names can tell us about water safety

Life with Omicron overseas: What we need to prepare for