There are five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today (August 20).

“All of today’s cases are related to the community outbreak in Auckland,” director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said at a media briefing this afternoon.

Four of the new cases are Auckland-based and one case is connected to the two Tokoroa cases, Ashley said.

That case is hospitalised, and there are five other cases in hospital, including one in ICU.

There are no new imported cases in managed isolation facilities. 

The total number of active cases today is 101, and the number of cases to date is 1,304.

Sixty-five people who tested positive in the community are in managed quarantine.

“Of the 80 cases now involved in the community outbreak, 78 are linked to the one cluster and two remain under investigation,” Ashley said. 

Minister of Health Chris Hipkins said while the drop in the number of new cases was positive, it was important to continue to be vigilant in order to eliminate the virus.

“We do need to continue to maintain our focus and all play our part here,” Chris said. 

The next few days could be "critical in breaking the back of this resurgence", he said.

18,091 tests were processed yesterday.

PHOTO: Supplied