There have been 23,183 new community cases of Covid-19 reported today, while 503 people are in hospital with the coronavirus, including seven in intensive care.

There are 146,527 known active community cases in New Zealand.

Speaking at today's media conference, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said for the period of 21-27 February, about 1 percent of the New Zealand population were active Covid cases.

Yesterday authorities reported 22,152 new community cases and 405 people in hospital, including 10 in intensive care.

The number of active community cases swells

On Wednesday New Zealand passed 120,000 currently active cases of Covid-19 in the community Middlemore Hospital in Auckland said they had 400 frontline staff off work sick or isolating, and the Manukau Surgery Centre has had to shut down half of its elective surgery, to redistribute those staff.

University students living in halls of residence have told RNZ almost everyone they know has Covid-19, making for a surreal orientation week.

Modelling expert Professor Michael Plank told RNZ the amount of people in hospital has been doubling roughly every five days, and if that trend continues there will be more than 800 people in hospital within a week.

As the numbers look at the moment, he expects the hospitalisation rate to peak at about 1000 people in hospital in about three weeks.

Free rapid antigen tests can now be ordered online for home testing for those who are symptomatic or a household contact, and can be picked up from collection sites.

The Ministry of Health said RATs are still available at Community Testing Centres for eligible individuals, and they can be bought at some retail stores.