'We're not powerless' - Ardern calls on NZ to stay the course as Covid cases soar

October 19, 2021

Ardern said people must stick to the rules and get tested, especially for those on Auckland’s North Shore.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has reminded New Zealanders that we are "not powerless" after the country recorded a record high of 94 community cases on Tuesday - 87 in Auckland. 

A further seven cases were recorded in the Waikato.

“Through the highs and lows of cases, it is incredibly hard on people, particularly those in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland),” Ardern said during the daily Covid-19 case update on Tuesday.

"We're not powerless - we do have the ability to help keep cases as low as we can."

It comes after Cabinet made the decision on Monday for Auckland to remain at Level 3, with current settings, for another two weeks.

She reiterated that the cases we are seeing are "not confined to one part of Auckland - they are across 124 suburbs", and that "the rules matter for everyone".

Ardern called on those living on the North Shore in particular to get tested if they are symptomatic after health officials expressed concern around the positivity rate - the amount of testing relative to the number of positive test results - in the region.

"If you are on the North Shore experiencing any symptoms - even if you have been vaccinated - please do go and get a test and to everyone, please remember: this outbreak is not in one part of Auckland."

She noted that the highest number of cases on Tuesday belong to the least vaccinated age groups - people aged 39 years old and under.

"The quicker we can get people fully vaccinated, the greater community protection we have against the virus.

"I know it’s hard, but we are so, so close and we know that vaccinations are already making a significant difference to the outbreak in Auckland, but so too are people following the rules."

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