8 June 2022
C Nowland
By email: [FYI request #19459 email]
Dear C Nowland
Official Information Act Request
On 25 May 2022 you sent a request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 to
the Ministry of Health (reference H202206895), who transferred your request to ESR on 30
May 2022. The request transferred to ESR was as follows:
How many of the positive PCR tests from 28/8/21 to 27/1/22 were sent for genomic
sequencing to determine that the variant was Delta?
Our response to your request
How many of the positive PCR tests from 28/8/21 to 27/1/22 were sent for genomic
sequencing to determine that the variant was Delta?
Between 28 August 2021 and 27 January 2022 there were 12,967 PCR positive COVID-19
cases. Of these Whole Genome Sequencing was attempted on 6,435 cases with a Delta
genome identified in 4,852 of those cases.
Your right to seek a review
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Thank you for your request.
Yours sincerely
Jill Vintiner
Joint General Manager Health and Environment - Health ESR