National rates of Covid have surged to their highest levels since New Zealand's fifth wave began

Latest ESR wastewater data shows a national average of 8.59 million copies of the virus detected per person, per day in wastewater at January 7

It's three times the levels observed in mid-spring, and higher than the largest values reported over December.

Meanwhile, the Government is reviewing whether face masks and rapid antigen tests will be offered free beyond the end of February, when the funded policy was due to end.