Nineteen new Covid-19 cases in the Bay of Plenty, new locations of interest

There are 19 new community cases of Covid-19 in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / NZME

There are 19 new community cases of Covid-19 in the Bay of Plenty, the Ministry of Health has revealed today.

Four community cases are also in the Lakes district, 22 are in Auckland, three are in Waikato and one is in Hawke's Bay.

There are 46 people in hospital with Covid-19, including three in ICU.

There are no new Omicron cases in the community. Ten Omicron cases have been identified in MIQ, taking the total number of border cases of the variant to 88.

The Bay of Plenty DHB said the region is 1704 second doses away from being 90 per cent fully vaccinated.

They urge partially vaccinated people to get their second dose as soon as they can.

Covid-19 operations programme manager Heather Lang said vaccination is crucial with Omicron looming.

"As we've seen in the past couple of days, it's important that we guard ourselves against the possibility that the highly-contagious Omicron variant will enter our communities.

"The best way to protect ourselves and our whanau against Covid-19, including the Omicron variant, is to be fully vaccinated.

"If you've put off getting your second shot for any reason, we encourage you to do so now."

New locations of interest have also been revealed in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

That includes Robertsons Menswear in Mount Maunganui on December 24 between 10.29am and 11.55am, Fifth Avenue Family Practice on December 22 between 10.10am and 10.45am, and SKIN Dermatology Institute on December 21 between 7.38am and 9.30am.

People who visited these locations of interest during these times should self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days after being exposed.

If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.

People who visited Downtown Pharmacy in Mount Maunganui on December 24 between 10.38am and 11.55am should also self-monitor.

Meanwhile, three members of the Mount Maunganui RSA club tested positive for Covid-19 and the club will be closed until January 5, club president Arthur King said on Thursday evening.

Potential close contacts of the cases have been urged to get second tests.

The Ministry of Health earlier this week named the venue as a place of interest on five dates: December 15, 16, 20, 22 and 24.

King said 30 people had been identified as needing to get tested after being at the club at the relevant times over the past two weeks.

The closure disappointed the more than 200 people expected to attend the club's New Year's celebrations.

The news comes as Taupō, Rotorua Lakes, Kawerau, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki moved into the orange setting at 11.59pm yesterday meaning vaccinated people can enjoy uncapped gatherings and full hospitality venues for New Year's Eve.

The Bay of Plenty is also in the orange setting.