There are a record 3297 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today - as the country moves closer to phase 3 of the Government's Omicron response. 

One hundred and seventy nine people, also a record, are in hospital including one person in intensive care, the Ministry of Health announced. 

Of today's community cases, 1729 are in Auckland. The other cases are across Northland (40), Waikato (297), Bay of Plenty (157), Lakes (54), Hawke's Bay (18), MidCentral (56), Whanganui (5), Taranaki (30), Tairāwhiti (16), Wairarapa (16), Capital and Coast (123), Hutt Valley (28), Nelson Marlborough (85), Canterbury (176), South Canterbury (7), the Southern (455) region and the West Coast (3). 

At the border, eight Covid-19 cases have been detected. 

There are now 21,648 active Covid-19 community cases with the seven-day rolling average at 2257. 

The 179 people in hospital have an average age of 51. They are at North Shore (33), Middlemore (68), Auckland (58), Tauranga (4), Lakes (3), Waikato (8), Hutt Valley (2), Capital and Coast (1) and Canterbury (2) hospitals. 

The current vaccination status of those in Auckland and Northland hospitals (Northern Region wards) is as follows: 

* Unvaccinated or not eligible: 19 cases/14.7 per cent; 
* Partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose: 4 cases/3.1 per cent; 
* Fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case: 64 cases/49.6 per cent; 
* Unknown: 15 cases/11.6 per cent. 

In the last 24 hours, 27,550 tests have been processed. The rolling average for testing in New Zealand for the last seven days is 28,951. 

Yesterday there were 2846 new infections in the community and 15 Covid-19 cases were detected at the border. 143 people were fighting the virus in hospital, with one person in ICU. 

RATs now primary test at Auckland centres 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters yesterday that New Zealand was expected to move to the next phase of the Omicron plan "fairly shortly" while Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson told AM he didn't think the move would be "far away at all". 

Phase 3 means changes to the definition of close contacts, more frequent use of rapid antigen tests and the continuation of other measures, like the use of digital technologies, from phase 2. 

Hospitalisation rates are climbing alongside daily case rates. 

Early last week, one in 10 people visiting the Middlemore Hospital's ED had contracted the virus. This week, it's one in eight. 

Some were patients with broken bones and others were women about to give birth. Many had no idea they were infected with the virus. 

Before Omicron became rife in the community, many hospitals across the country were already operating at near-capacity. 

National Party health spokesman Shane Reti yesterday said: "The combination of full hospitals, not enough nurses, Omicron starting to surge and winter fast approaching is a deadly mix". 

In Wellington, the anti-mandate protest has entered day 16 and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says "gas-lit" protesters should continue to demand they be heard by politicians. 

Wellington mayor Andy Foster said he met with the protesters with support from the police. 

While he respected the government's decision not to engage with protesters, he said only dialogue was going to resolve the protest. 

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said calling in the army would be an extreme situation, as police remain convinced that de-escalation is the best strategy.