Covid 19 cases are continuing to climb in the lead-up to Christmas.
A further 42,740 new Covid-19 cases have been reported by Te Whatu Ora today covering the 7-day period December 12 to December 18.
This is an increase of 2,642 new cases reported last Monday.
There were 581 people in hospital, up from 514 the week prior, with 15 people in intensive care or a high dependency care unit.
There were 5,788 active Māori cases.