Another eight people have died while 9843 new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the community, the Ministry of Health says.

There are 421 people in hospital with the virus, 10 of whom are in intensive care, the ministry said in a statement.

Yesterday another five deaths were announced alongwith 7061 new cases.

There were 415 people in hospital with the virus, including 11 in intensive care.

Southland Hospital has been forced to turn away visitors after six cases were discovered among patients on three wards.

Inquiries are continuing into the source of the infection, Dr Hywel Lloyd who leads the Southern DHB's Covid-19 response, told Morning Report.