Covid 19 coronavirus: Ministry of Health will provide latest update of case numbers

The Health Ministry will release the latest Covid-19 case numbers and updates on its investigation into the Grand Mercure-administered isolation case at 1pm.

It comes after two new cases in managed isolation were announced on Wednesday.

Both arrived on separate flights from India, via the United Arab Emirates, on March 28 and 29 respectively.

During the past week an average of four new cases were reported at the border.

Ten people have recovered since Tuesday, meaning the total number of cases Wednesday was 72, all in isolation.

Today’s results also come after Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins put a brave face on the cameras when he received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in front of the media on Wednesday morning.

Swapping out the usual suit jacket for a white “Unite against Covid-19” T-shirt, the minister gave a somewhat nervous laugh after being asked to roll up his sleeves.

“I’m not going to look … I’m going to look this way,” he said.

When asked by a reporter how he felt about needles, he usually said, “I’m not a big fan, no.”

But there was nothing to worry about when the nurse gave her her first prick; saying with a big smile and laughing, “I didn’t even feel it. There you go, see?”