Coronavirus: New Zealand has two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community

Today New Zealand has two new confirmed cases of COVID in the community, says Director of Public Health Caroline McElnay.

Both cases are linked to the current South Auckland cluster.

There are 10 people in hospital, including two patients in intensive care.

That brings the total number of active cases to 136 in New Zealand, with 117 in the community.

The total number of confirmed cases in New Zealand since the pandemic began is 1,378.

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After 18 days, Auckland will move into level 2 like the rest of the country at midnight tonight, except with stricter rules on gatherings.

Gatherings for Aucklanders will be restricted to 10 people at level 2, while a 50-person limit would be in place for funerals and tangi.

Those settings will be in place for a week and Cabinet will review them on Sunday 6 September.