Covid-19 Omicron: Five new cases confirmed in Whanganui DHB area, Whanganui Intermediate School has case

The five new cases reported by the ministry bring the total number of active cases in Whanganui to 60. Photo / Lewis Gardner

There are five new cases of Covid-19 in the Whanganui region, according to the Ministry of Health.

That brings the number of active cases to 65.

The ministry says its daily reported case numbers may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level.

The Whanganui DHB is reporting six new cases today - with one recovered and the same total of 60 the ministry has reported.

Whanganui Intermediate School principal Katherine Ellery said she had been told a student tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.

Ellery said the student had only been at school for one day, and all close contacts have been approached and are isolating.

"It hasn't had a huge impact," she said.

"We've covered all the classes and allowed people the time to get tested. This is our first time so we are just following everything by the book."

She said the number of students learning from home continued to grow each passing day.

"It's a hell of a time I tell you."

Whanganui Collegiate School and Carlton School have both had positive cases in the last few days.

A teacher from Collegiate was a confirmed case on Tuesday, with no close contacts associated as the teacher hadn't been at school this week.

On Sunday, Carlton School announced one classroom would be closed until Wednesday as a positive case was confirmed for He Puna Oranga Room 11/12.

All pupils in the class have been asked to stay at home, get tested, isolate, and follow the guidelines given in an email that was sent to households.

The school and all other classes remain open and children can attend as normal.

In New Zealand, there were 3297 new cases of Covid-19 announced on Wednesday and 179 people were in the hospital with the virus.