There are 6636 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and seven further deaths.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 480 people were in hospital, including 12 in ICU.

Yesterday, one case of a new sub-variant BA.4 was found in New Zealand in a person who recently travelled from South Africa.

Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles says it is too early to reach any conclusions about the sub-varitant, but it does have some worrying mutations.

Wiles told Morning Report that this variant has a mutation that was found in Delta which could mean it is more severe than Omicron.

Vaccinated travellers from 60 visa-waiver countries are now able to enter New Zealand without having to stay in MIQ nor testing themselves for Covid-19.