New Zealand has shifted to the most stringent level of its traffic light COVID-19 restriction system after cases of the Omicron variant were reported in its most populated city, Auckland, and the Nelson-Marlborough region. The shift took place just before midnight on Sunday, following a press conference by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier that day. Ardern stated that the red setting will remain in place for “some weeks” according to local outlet Stuff. A total of nine cases were reported, all within a single family that had flown to Auckland from Nelson on Jan. 13 for a wedding and several other events between Jan. 15–16. Over 100 people were estimated to be at the various gatherings. On Monday, eight new cases of the Omicron variant were reported including five in Auckland, one in Palmerston North, and two in the Nelson-Tasman region. As of Jan. 24, 19 people have tested positive for Omicron in …