Dr Ashley Bloomfield is stepping down as Director-General of Health. Video / NZ Herald

The Ministry of Health reported 14,120 community cases across the country yesterday.

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

There are 692 people in hospital, including 30 patients in intensive care.

Health authorities planned to collect 'portaloo effluent' on the protest's second weekend.

Call on whether to offer fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine likely to be made before winter.

PM to reveal traffic light setting decision at 4pm post-Cabinet press conference.

New Zealand experienced its deadliest seven days of the pandemic this week.

More than 350 people have now died with Covid-19 in New Zealand.

From next week, Vaccine Passes will no longer be required for DoC campsites or huts.

It comes as experts warn of a particularly bad season with the borders opening up.

As the booster and child vaccine rates slow across NZ, Northern Region Health Coordination Centre's clinical director Dr Anthony Jordan and Starship paediatrician Emma Best explain why even after Covid infection, vaccinations are critical. Video / NZ Herald

"Christ gave me the courage to stand up to the PM and her (cold-blooded) Cabinet."

Health Minister says patients will have to visit a doctor to access the new oral drug.

The father-of-one died almost a month after being admitted to hospital.

It comes after our darkest day of the pandemic, when a record 34 deaths were reported.

The seven-day daily average for deaths is now 15.

Intellectually disabled man accused of sex crime bailed to campground in "appalling" case.

Details of nine deaths are known - they were of people in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

Gerry Te Kare was overdue for triple bypass surgery when he died.

Warning that "past the peak does not equal out of the woods" with Omicron.

The delays likely meant Covid-positive Kiwis went without clinical and welfare support.

Changes ahead as vaccine mandates in many industries are set to expire on April 4.

March 25 2022 There are 15,871 new community Covid cases today and 13 new deaths. As rules relax from tonight, new figures show there are 899 people in hospital, with 27 of them in intensive care.

The number of deaths linked to the virus has climbed steadily since Omicron arrived.

Many vaccination mandates will be removed next month.

Some are concerned by easing of restrictions, particularly for the health system.

Hospitals nationally are resorting to cash rewards to get staff to pick up night shifts.

From 11.59pm on Monday 4 April, vaccine passes will not longer be required. The Government will not require mandates in education, police or Defence Force workers and those workplaces using them.

Of the 15 people who died, 9 were from Auckland, 3 from Waikato, and 3 from Wellington.