Whanganui DHB chief executive Russell Simpson said people in hospital with Covid-19 but not being treated for the virus had "other health requirements".
The big increase in cases was not unexpected, Simpson said.
From the modelling provided to the Whanganui DHB, Simpson said the peak was likely to be in the next one to two weeks.
"I do anticipate the numbers will increase further if we are looking at the scenarios and models we have been provided.
"Overall, this would indicate we are on the upward trajectory at the moment."
There were 15 deaths, 1016 people in hospital and 20,907 community Covid cases across New Zealand today .
The ministry says its daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level.
This is because of different reporting cut-off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their region of residence.
