New Zealand has reported another promising drop in COVID-19 cases, with 28 new cases recorded.
Director of Public Health Caroline McElnay said she was “encouraged” by Friday’s fall, which comes on day 17 of a national lockdown.
The figure is the lowest daily case number for 12 days, and is further evidence of a downwards trend as the country attempts to eliminate a Delta outbreak.
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said it was important Kiwis stuck to lockdown regulations for case numbers to continue falling.
“These results are encouraging but the job is not yet done,” he said.
Of the 28 cases, 27 are in Auckland and one already-isolating individual is in Wellington.
The total number of people infected in the outbreak is 764.
Some 43 Kiwis are in hospital, with nine in intensive care.
The outbreak has continued to drive record-breaking vaccination rates.
NZ vaccinated 89,000 Kiwis on Thursday, or 1.8 per cent of the population.
If those rates sustain, NZ is on track to overtake Australia next week, for people at least partially vaccinated per capita.
As of Friday, 2.42 million people have had at least one dose, or 47 per cent of the population.
AAP
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