RNZ
This year, according to data from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, the Auckland metropolitan area has had the most hospitalisations from influenza-like illness since 2015.
While the data is only available for the Auckland metropolitan area, Te Whatu Ora national clinical director Dr Susan Jack said it was a good barometer of illness levels likely being experienced by hospitals across the country.
Maria Packe-Leonard, 53, died at Hutt Hospital on 21 July, and her husband, 53-year-old John Leonard, is still in a critical condition in Auckland’s ICU after developing flu-like symptoms believed to be influenza A.