There have been 22,527 new community cases of Covid-19 reported today, with 562 people in hospital, the Ministry of Health says.

There have also been five new deaths of people with Covid-19 reported in New Zealand.

Yesterday the Ministry reported 23,183 new community cases, with 503 people in hospital, including seven who needed intensive care.

Masses at home sick as Omicron numbers grow

Figures from Covid Modelling Aotearoa show actual infections in the community could be about many times the number of reported cases, with up to half a million, or one in ten New Zealanders infected.

An Auckland emergency medicine doctor says staff shortages are close to the worse she's ever seen.

College of Emergency Medicine New Zealand faculty chair Kate Allan works in an Auckland hospital and said they were facing "incredibly significant" staff shortages every day as existing shortages were being made worse by staff away with Covid-19 or caring for family members.

Hamilton City Council says they have moved to reduced services as staff are away due to Covid-19. General community manager Helen Paki said the council had planned for staff shortages but not to this extent.

Auckland poultry processors are reporting almost half their staff are off sick at some plants.

About 900 New Zealanders from around the world are expected to touch down at Auckland Airport tomorrow - the first in two years to arrive without having to undergo isolation.