There are 20 new community cases of COVID-19 to report today, all in Auckland. There are two new cases in managed isolation and more than 86,000 vaccines administered yesterday.

The Ministry of Health is reporting the death today of a woman who was a confirmed case of COVID-19.

'Sadly, today we are reporting the death last night in North Shore hospital of a woman in her 90s who was a confirmed case of COVID-19,” says a Ministry of Health spokesperson. 'The woman had a number of underlying health conditions.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed her condolences to the family and loved ones of the person who passed away from COVID-19 overnight.

'Every death is a reminder of the damage COVID-19 can cause when it gets into our community,” says Ardern.

"Our older New Zealanders and those with underlying health issues are by far the most at risk from the virus and one of the reasons lockdowns are such an important tool to stop its spread.”

'On behalf of New Zealanders, I want to recognise this family's loss,” says Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said.

'This is a time for us all to offer our deep sympathy, while also respecting the family's privacy.”

The woman's underlying health conditions and the state of her health meant it was not clinically appropriate for her to receive ventilator or ICU care.

Her whānau was regularly updated and had the opportunity to speak with her regularly by phone. The whânau has been offered cultural support by the DHB.

The woman was admitted to hospital on August 28 from home. She was a household contact of a case and had been confirmed as a case before admission to hospital.

'The whānau is devastated and shocked by the loss of their loved one and wish to thank all of the essential workers who have guided and helped them over the past few days,” says a family spokesperson.

A family member spoken with this morning urges everyone to take COVID-19 seriously and follow public health advice – his message for New Zealanders is simple: 'This is real.”

'There may be some delays in providing data in some instances. On these occasions we will use data from the day before and clearly note this,” says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

Testing
Of the 22 community testing centres available for testing across Auckland today, six are regular community testing centres, 15 are pop-up testing centres and one is a restricted access testing centre. Restricted access testing centres are by invitation-only for high-risk groups and to prioritise essential health care workers.

'To speed up the process at testing centres it would be helpful that if you know your NHI number you could bring it with you,” says a Ministry of Health spokesperson. 'You can find your NHI number on a hospital letter or prescription. Or call 0800 855 066 to find out yours.”

Dr Bloomfield thanked everyone who has been tested already and urged Aucklanders, and people throughout New Zealand, to get tested if indicated.

'In particular, we need to maintain high levels of testing across Tamaki Makaurau to give us confidence that we have the outbreak under control. And for anyone, anywhere in the country, if you are a contact, have visited a location of interest at the specific dates and times or have cold and flu symptoms, please get tested,” says Dr Bloomfield

For up-to-date information on testing locations in Auckland, visit www.arphs.health.nz/covid19test. For up-to-date info on all testing locations, visit www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/

New cases identified at the border

There are two new cases identified at the border today. Both cases arrived on August 15 from the Philippines via Australia and are now in managed isolation in Auckland. One case tested positive on Day 1 during routine testing, and the other tested positive on Day 2 during routine testing.