New Zealand has reported another jump in COVID-19 cases, with health officials reporting 981 new community infections.
The Omicron spike has arrived in New Zealand, which until now has been spared mass infections, recording the lowest case numbers and deaths in the developed world.
Daily case numbers were less than 200 just a week ago, showing the quick spread of the highly contagious virus.
Speaking prior to Monday's case release, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she not surprised by Sunday's case count of 810.
"We've been expecting it," she told TVNZ.
"From the moment we first had Omicron in the community, at that stage we were preparing for the fact we could have had up to one thousand in six to 12 days.
"It has taken longer than that ... this is exactly where we thought we would albeit at a slower pace."
The cases are yet to produce a hospitalisation spike, with 39 cases in hospital and none in intensive care.
Public health experts believe New Zealand's strong COVID-19 vaccination rate is a key reason why.
More than 95 per cent of the eligible population is double-dosed with Pfizer vaccine, with a growing booster rollout.
Vaccinators administered another 23,000 doses on Sunday, with 56 per cent of the eligible population now with a third shot.
The growing case count will lead Ms Ardern's cabinet to discuss expediting changes to close contact and isolation rules to avoid an Australia-style implosion of staff shortages and supply chain disruption.
Monday's case count is the highest recorded in New Zealand, and the fifth straight day a new record has been set.
