WELLINGTON, June 6 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand is experiencing a significant surge in COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, with recent data showing a sharp jump in hospitalizations and outbreaks across the country.

Healthline, the national medical advice service, reported an uptick in calls related to influenza-like illnesses, although the volume remains lower than the same period last year, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported on Friday.

The country is facing its coldest winter temperatures of the year, with some regions recently recording temperatures below zero and fresh snowfall covering parts of the South Island.

Hospital admissions for severe respiratory infections in Auckland, the country's most densely populated region, rose by over 50 percent in the week ending June 1, although overall levels remain similar to those seen last year. Nationwide wastewater testing also points to a growing increase in COVID-19 cases, according to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research.

Health New Zealand has responded by increasing staffing, optimizing hospital bed use, and intensifying vaccination campaigns, RNZ reported.

Over 1 million people have received flu shots this year, but only about 250,000 are up to date with COVID-19 boosters, government statistics show.

National Chief Medical Officer Prof. Helen Stokes-Lampard acknowledged the challenges in boosting vaccination rates, citing issues with vaccine confidence and healthcare access, according to the RNZ report. ■