Free RAT kits and wider antiviral access announced as covid wave surges

Free RAT kits and wider antiviral access announced as covid wave surges
Covid cases rose 33% in the week ending July 10. (Image: Andy Fyers)
Greg Hurrell
The government is responding to a new surge in covid-19 cases by handing out free rapid antigen (RAT) kits and expanding access to antiviral drugs, but there will be no change from the current orange setting. Minister for the covid-19 response Dr Ayesha Verrall announced several new measures today after covid cases rose 33% in the week ending July 10, compared with the week before. The goal was to flatten the peak of hospital admissions.Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield told a media conference there were 11,382 cases in the comm...

More Editor's Picks

Rare Returns: the state of NZ’s red meat sector
Primary Sector Rare Returns

Rare Returns: the state of NZ’s red meat sector

NZ’s red meat price rebounds, but cracks in the system are hard to ignore.

Riley Kennedy 13 Oct 2025
Latest cap raise values Sharesies at $750m
Markets

Latest cap raise values Sharesies at $750m

In its eighth raise since 2017, Sharesies values its shares at $205 apiece.

Pattrick Smellie 10 Oct 2025