Coronavirus: New Zealand has had a new death linked to coronavirus

Sadly, New Zealand has had a coronavirus-related death for the first time since the virus re-emerged in August.

The man - who was in his 50s - was part of the Auckland cluster and died earlier today at Middlemore Hospital.

The man was admitted to Middlemore Hospital via an emergency department from quarantine and then cared for in the intensive care unit.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement the man's wife and son were able to visit him, using full PPE.

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This brings the death toll in New Zealand since the pandemic began to 23.

The sad news comes as Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield revealed there are five new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, with three cases in the community.