As we enter the Easter holiday, district health boards have issued a reminder that hospital Emergency Departments remain open to provide care to patients despite the COVID-19 lockdown.

No cases reported of COVID-19 today in Hawke’s Bay

The Ministry of Health reported no new Covid-19 cases in Hawke’s Bay today - the total for the region remains at 35.

Respiratory patients concerned about COVID-19 should still attend their local medical centre or pharmacy for flu jabs and prescription medications, says Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ.

29 new cases of COVID-19

9 April 2020 Today there are 29 new cases of COVID-19 to report - made up of 23 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 6 new probable cases. There are no additional deaths to report.

A new report Quantifying the wellbeing costs of Covid-19 by the New Zealand Initiative shows how an economic hit of about 6.1% of GDP would be justified if it meant saving 33,600 lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With Easter weekend fast approaching, MidCentral DHB is asking people to keep their bubbles intact and stay home so the spread of COVID-19 can be stopped in its tracks.

Waikato DHB confirmed two nurses have tested positive for COVID-19. The nurses, who work in the same ward at Waikato Hospital, stood down immediately on developing symptoms.

Waikato DHB Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Snee said the hospital was taking all precautions.

Deep inside a locked-down Dunedin building, a dedicated team of Otago University dentists is operating in high-risk conditions to provide emergency dental care.

This is dangerous work and every member of the close-knit group is there voluntarily.

"Do not put off calling your doctor if you are unwell," is the plea, amid reports that patients with non-COVID related illnesses are delaying contacting their general practice.

A decoy molecule that fools coronavirus by attracting it before it can attach to lung cells may provide a way forward in the fight against COVID-19.