Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: 15,918 cases, 14 deaths as Government outlines vaccine mandates, passes

There are 15,918 new cases today, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced this afternoon. It comes as a new initiative aimed at improving access to rapid-antigen testing to people in rural areas is announced, as cases continue to rise in various spots around the country. But Hipkins wouldn't be drawn on Auckland's chances of moving from red to orange under the traffic light system, having already passed its Omicron peak. He said he was yet to have 'a firm leaning' for Cabinet's review of traffic light settings on Monday. There are 817 people in hospital with the virus, including 24 in intensive care, the Ministry of Health announced this afternoon.