Focus: All you need to know about the new XE Covid variant
As the new XE Covid variant spreads overseas, Dr David Welch explains how variants evolve and why it's too soon to be concerned. Video / NZ Herald / AP
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Covid-19 Omicron outbreak: 23 deaths, 14,120 cases reported today, 692 patients in hospital. Video / NZ Herald
23 deaths, 14,120 Covid cases reported today
There are 692 people in hospital, including 30 patients in intensive care.
Samoa reduces its Covid-19 alert level
Samoa downgraded alert levels to allow essential services to deliver around the country.
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Early studies of the XE strain shows it to be more transmissible than Omicron.
Shanghai lockdown tests the limits of Xi Jinping's zero-Covid policy
Financial Times: Signs of growing public anger at the stringent measures.
New Covid variant could force tougher rules if it arrives in NZ - Bloomfield
While cases are dropping Auckland remains with the highest hospitalisations per capita.
Focus Morning Bulletin: 5 April, 2022
New Zealand stays at red, warning as the world hurtles to the climate danger zone and why Russia’s retreating Ukraine’s capital city in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Just a single droplet: Bombshell study busts virus myths
Study deliberately infected subjects with the virus to reveal myth about transmission.
Editorial: Revelling in new 'normal'
OPINION: Our editorial on a way for people to more safely approach life with Covid.
Derek Cheng: Jacinda Ardern's underlying message in the decision to stay in red
Yesterday was the first glimpse at the PM's appetite for risk in post-peak Omicron.
Barry Soper: The PM's announcement that wasn't - she's playing a cracked record
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Parliament protests: Why health officials wouldn't test portaloos for Covid
Health authorities planned to collect 'portaloo effluent' on the protest's second weekend.
Covid affecting 84 per cent of schools in Canterbury and Chatham Islands
Covid has impacted 84 per cent of schools in Canterbury and on the Chatham Islands.
'Gutted': Business reacts as Covid traffic lights stay at red
Business leaders say a pathway to a green Covid settings needs to be outlined.
With Covid cases still in the thousands, why are some so keen to ditch things that kept NZ safe?
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Covid-19 vaccine: Most Kiwis shouldn't need fourth dose - experts
Call on whether to offer fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine likely to be made before winter.
'Totally inhumane': Child separations feed anger in a locked-down Shanghai
New York Times: Outrage erupted after images circulated of children isolated from parents.
Focus: Businesses say goodbye to vax passes
Signing in is out as vaccine passes are scrapped, and a survey reveals most business owners are in support. Video / NZ Herald
Nine deaths, 10,205 new cases and 734 people in hospital
PM to reveal traffic light setting decision at 4pm post-Cabinet press conference.
Alpha to Omicron 2.0: Why have I caught Covid five times?
OPINION: I am apparently a medical marvel. But not in a good way.
Traffic light D-day: PM warns Omicron outbreak 'not our only wave'
After deadliest week in pandemic, hopes hinge on Omicron slowdown as restrictions ease.
NZ gives Fiji $50,000 boost, Nauru records infections
A round up of the Covid 19 cases across the Pacific Islands.
The new Covid variant potentially 10pc more transmissible than Omicron
Early estimates indicate the strain is 10 per cent more transmissible than BA.2 Omicron.
Focus Morning Bulletin: 4 April, 2022
More Covid restrictions to be reviewed, why the builders of Transmission Gully have been hit with a multi-million dollar fine and fire crews battle a blaze at Awarua wetlands in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Dozens of aged-care Covid-19 cases
Fresh data reveals daily aged residential cases peaked at 83 in the south of New Zealand.
Man in Germany gets 90 vaccine shots
Caught at a vaccination centre when he showed up for a shot for the second day in a row.
Life after Omicron peak: Expert predicts NZ's path ahead
Queensland's Omicron experience may signpost the road ahead for NZ's post-peak path.
Experts' fears: Next variant could spread weeks before we detect it
'Patchy' genomic data a risk for next variant, experts warn.
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Sunday 3rd April Wrap
18 Covid-related deaths were reported on Sunday. Video / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig / Alex Burton
8810 new Covid cases, 18 deaths - including person in their 30s
New Zealand experienced its deadliest seven days of the pandemic this week.
Age divide emerges in vaccine mandate removal poll
About 1000 New Zealanders across all age groups took part in the poll.