Coronavirus: New Zealand has 15 confirmed new cases of COVID-19 in the community

New Zealand has 15 new cases of COVID-19 in the community, says Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

All of the new cases are in Auckland.

Today a total of 397 cases are now reported as having recovered from Covid-19.

That brings the total number of active cases in the community to 573 (the total number of cases in this outbreak is now 970).

There are 22 people in hospital, including four patients in intensive care.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed Auckland's level 4 restriction was to be extended in the region another week to stamp out any remaining community cases.

Level 2 was also extended for the rest of the country until next Tuesday, with Ardern stating some level of restrictions were needed while there was an active outbreak in Auckland and travel, however limited, remained across the border.