2 Jan 2023

Covid-19: Lowest number of reported positive cases since October

4:47 pm on 2 January 2023
A positive result of rapid antigen test is seen in this illustration photo

Epidemiologist Michael Baker said the number of positive test results might be under-reported. Photo: AFP

The number of reported daily Covid-19 cases is the lowest it has been since October.

The Ministry of Health said it received 1863 reports of positive cases on Sunday.

It's the lowest reported daily case number since 23 October, when there were just over 1600.

Epidemiologist Michael Baker said, while the number of positive test results might be under-reported, other data points also indicated the peak of this Covid-19 wave may have passed.

"Firstly, obviously the seven-day moving average has dropped... by quite a big amount. Also, the other indicator I think is important - hospitalisations - appear to have peaked just before Christmas and are starting to drop."

Baker said the situation would become clearer later in the week.

"We will get some indication on Wednesday when we get the full weekly update, and I think the week after that will be much better because a lot of people would have gone back to work, they're getting into their more normal routines and they are probably thinking of perhaps, if they are feeling unwell, really making a big effort to get tested."

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