The Covid 19 testing threshold is again being lowered

Four more New Zealanders have died from the virus - taking the death toll to nine.

There are 17 new cases, but that's dwarfed by an increase of 82 recovered cases.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield wants to boost testing in regions with low rates - like Tairawhiti and Whanganui .

He's told all DHBs to have a really low threshold, and to test people with symptoms as minor as a sore throat or runny nose.

Bloomfield says people don't necessarily nee to have lower respiratory symptoms like a cough, phlegm or fever - to be tested.