The Health Minister says as the country shifts to the traffic-light system, we need to make sure we can cope with the unexpected

Andrew Little believes new cases of Covid-19 will start appearing across the country.

The Government's earmarked 100 million dollars from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund to accelerate ICU projects and another 544 million for operational funding, for costs like staffing.

North Shore, Tauranga and Christchurch will be the first hospitals to receive the money.

Waitakere Hospital will also get 65 million dollars for a new intensive care unit, two negative-pressure rooms and a new ward.