There have been 6407 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and two further deaths reported today.

In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 368 people in hospital, including 18 in ICU.

Two more people who have travelled from overseas to New Zealand have now been confirmed as having the BA.5 variant of Omicron.

Of the two deaths reported today, one person was from Wairarapa and the other was from Whanganui. Both were male and in their 80s.

Yesterday it was announced that another variant of the Omicron strain has been detected in New Zealand, as 5647 new community cases and three further deaths are reported.

A person who travelled from overseas to New Zealand was confirmed as having the BA.5 variant of Omicron.

This morning, epidemiologist Michael Baker predicted New Zealand's Covid-19 case numbers would rise again over the coming months, resulting in increased hospitalisations and deaths.