New Zealanders are dying due to Covid-19 at record rates as the country battles a new wave of the Omicron strain that is particularly affecting the older population.
Deaths from the virus reached 151 in the seven days to 16 July, compared with 115 in the worst week of the previous wave, in March, according to Health Ministry data.
In the latest 24 hours, 26 people died from Covid, all aged over 60, the ministry said in a statement.
The Omicron BA.5 sub-variant is driving the current wave in New Zealand, which has 5.1 million people.
There have been 64,780 active cases in the past seven days, although authorities say many infections are unreported.
Once regarded as a model for preventing Covid infection, New Zealand's swift response to the pandemic and its geographic isolation kept it largely free from the virus until the end of last year.
The government dropped its zero-Covid policy this year once the population was largely vaccinated. Since then the virus has been allowed to spread.
Emergency departments, general practices and medical centres are under pressure. However, Health Ministry data shows hospitalisation levels remain below those seen during the March peak.
The government is resisting pressure from some doctors to reinstate curbs on public gatherings or mandate the wearing of masks at schools.
However, Education Ministry chief Iona Holsted said yesterday the ministry had advised schools to enforce the wearing of masks as much as practicable when children returned from holidays next week.
"We understand that implementing mask policies can be a challenge but ask that you take action to strengthen your mask wearing policy as soon as possible," she said.
China's Xi sends sympathy message to Biden over Covid infection
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a sympathy message to his United States counterpart Joe Biden, state broadcaster CCTV reported, a day after Mr Biden tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr Biden insisted yesterday he was "doing great", and said he would continue to work while isolating at the White House with mild symptoms.
"I would like to express my deep sympathies to you and wish you a speedy recovery," Mr Xi wrote in the message, CCTV reported.
An update from me: pic.twitter.com/L2oCR0uUTu
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022
It is the first public contact between both leaders since their last virtual summit four months ago, as ties between the two global superpowers continue to deteriorate over issues including Taiwan, Ukraine and technology sector competition.
The pair held a video conference on 18 March, when Mr Biden warned Mr Xi against assisting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
The leaders have known each other for more than a decade, having travelled together when both were vice-presidents.
Earlier this week, Mr Biden said that a call with Mr Xi would take place within the "next ten days", weeks after both countries' top diplomats met in an attempt to defuse escalating rhetoric over Taiwan.
Beijing recently criticised a planned trip by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Were Ms Pelosi to go, it would be the most senior-level US official visit to the self-ruled island - which China claims is part of its territory - under the Biden administration.
Ms Pelosi also raised the possibility of a military escalation from China, saying yesterday: "Maybe the military was afraid our plane would get shot down or something like that by the Chinese."
