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

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

1300 doses of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine have been given in the first two weeks.

There were 12,882 community cases of Covid-19 reported yesterday.

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.

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.

March 22 2022 Health Minister Andrew Little has launched a major recruitment drive for mental health nurses as the Government faces increasing scrutiny in the sector.

March 21 2022 PM Jacinda Ardern has announced a further $5 million in assistance to Ukraine to help it during the invasion from Russia. Ardern confirmed that Cabinet has signed off on decisions on vaccine mandates, certificates and the traffic light system.

March 20 2022 The number of new daily cases of Covid-19 has dipped sharply - but officials have reported another nine deaths. There are 12,020 new community cases to report today.

The total number of publicly reported Covid related deaths has now reached 175.

But artist says: 'A mass narrative must always be questioned and debated.'

March 19 2022 Ten more people have died and there are 18,514 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today.

This takes the death toll of publicly reported Covid-related deaths to 166.

The vaccines are worth about $8 million.

"Numbers are less and that's the first time we've seen that."

One DHB has reported 2172 new cases in the region today.

The five deaths reported today were in Auckland, Waikato, Hutt Valley and Canterbury.

Yesterday Samoa recorded its first case of community transmitted Covid-19.

Attorney-General David Parker says Omicron outbreak had not overwhelmed the health system.

Covid-related deaths have been increasing with the Omicron outbreak.

Auckland's hospital staff are coming under increasing pressure, the Herald has revealed.

Kenepuru Community Hospital has 21 per cent of staff off work due to Covid-19.