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Hipkins prepares public for record number of cases

February 24, 2022

Covid-19 testing centre in Auckland. (Source: Getty)

Chris Hipkins prepared the public for a record number of Covid-19 cases at a media conference on Thursday.

The Covid-19 Response Minister announced there would be "around 5000 cases" during a media conference to inform the public New Zealand would move to Phase 3 of the Omicron response at 11.59pm on Thursday.

“I can confirm that today’s community case total sits currently at around 5000 cases,” Hipkins said.

However, case numbers later released by the ministry were a record high 6137.

The results came from a mix of PCR and rapid antigen tests from the last 24 hours.

There were over 1000 RAT results in that number and Hipkins thanked those who had uploaded them online.

Hipkins also confirmed New Zealand would move to Phase 3 of the Omicron response, due to the number of daily cases being so high.

"I don't think the shift will come as a surprise to many people."

It follows 3297 cases on Wednesday.

New Zealand Covid-19

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