New Zealand has reported an increase in new coronavirus cases in its largest city Auckland. which is struggling to control the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant, reports Reuters.

Health authorities have recorded 33 new cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in the city, higher than 23 and 20 cases reported over the last two days.

The latest cases are released ahead of an announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on whether the social restrictions in place in Auckland will be eased or extended.

The new cases take the number of confirmed cases in the new outbreak to 955, most of which have been in Auckland.