General Coronavirus

[DavidMcKay1974]

The Ministry of Health says it will not confirm any locations of interest in Christchurch until at least midday, a spokesperson said – more than 12 hours after the positive cases first emerged.

Apart from last week’s Blenheim case, the latest Christchurch case is the first in the South Island for almost a year – November 2 of last year being the last case.

The local public health unit was gathering information from the cases to identify close contacts and exposure events, including any locations of interest.

The ministry is undertaking a public health risk assessment of the situation on this morning and will provide updates after that.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Covid-free parts of New Zealand prepare for the virus to arrive

The race is one to increase vaccinations before Covid-19, seemingly inevitably, comes knocking at previously-clear areas.

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[The crow]

Because I really doubt he is in touch with Maori and Pacific communities with the worst health outcomes statistically that rampant spread of the virus will impact the most.

His take is so ignorant - he doesn't even acknowledge the other countries opening up already have had massive death tolls.

(He raises some valued points on MIQ)

To be fair he probably is out of touch with working class white people too.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

A pupil has tested positive for Covid-19 after attending alert level 3 bubble school in Waikato.

Newstead Model Country School, on the outskirts of Hamilton, was informed of the new case on Wednesday evening, a statement on the school website said.

The board of trustees had been notified, along with staff and the families of pupils who are considered close contacts.

No bubble learning would happen on site on Thursday and Friday “due to the impact of staff needing to isolate and/or get tested”, the school said.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Covid-19: Christchurch cases should be enough to 'shatter' vaccine hesitancy

Christchurch's mayor says the city's two positive cases could easily become more and people need to take every step to protect themselves.

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Sup42]

A pupil has tested positive for Covid-19 after attending alert level 3 bubble school in Waikato.

Newstead Model Country School, on the outskirts of Hamilton, was informed of the new case on Wednesday evening, a statement on the school website said.

The board of trustees had been notified, along with staff and the families of pupils who are considered close contacts.

No bubble learning would happen on site on Thursday and Friday “due to the impact of staff needing to isolate and/or get tested”, the school said.

Unbelieveable how it gets through every loosened restriction so rapidly. This school Is a flash country school, I used to drive by there every day on my way to the livestock breeding company near there.
Poor kid. What a shit thing we have adults refusing to get vaccinated.

 

[Noitall]

Feels a lot like people are spreading deliberately.

 

[Rizzah]

From Bernard Hickey's daily email.

Coming up today, watch out for Chris Hipkins to announce at 1pm a halving of MIQ stays from 14 days to seven days for vaccinated returnees, followed by three days self isolation. A complete move to self-isolation won’t be until next year. His announcement was delayed yesterday for a day. He’ll have a Christchurch decision too. I’ll be at the news conference.

 

[matiunz]

25 deaths in VIC overnight in a scary new record

 

[Viking]

Had someone at one of my works DCs test positive yesterday. A family member has it and she tested negative initially but positive on Tuesday. She got her first shot after the family member tested positive but it was too late. She and the family member went into hospital a day after the positive test. She’d be in her 20s, slim and healthy by all accounts. Just unlucky I guess. All her colleagues and their families are isolating, the whole DC is shut down and getting cleaned. Anyone who delivered to it is isolating. The cost to the company is huge.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Had someone at one of my works DCs test positive yesterday. A family member has it and she tested negative initially but positive on Tuesday. She got her first shot after the family member tested positive but it was too late. She and the family member went into hospital a day after the positive test. She’d be in her 20s, slim and healthy by all accounts. Just unlucky I guess. All her colleagues and their families are isolating, the whole DC is shut down and getting cleaned. Anyone who delivered to it is isolating. The cost to the company is huge.

DC being Washington DC?

 

[Rizzah]

DC being Washington DC?

Distribution centre?

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

From Bernard Hickey's daily email.

Sounds like it's going to be an enjoyable press conference of usual listening to all of the questions from the journalists!

Is it me or does all male journalists sounds like they are angry or in a bad mood when asking questions? Barry Soper was one of them yesterday and that Jason dude always sounds like he's angry when asking a question.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Distribution centre?

Ok gotcha. Wasn't sure which is why I asked.

Is that in Auckland?

 

[Viking]

Distribution centre?

Yeah, in Auckland.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Surge at testing stations as Christchurch reels from Covid cases

There was a surge in people turning up to be swabbed at Christchurch’s two testing centres on Thursday morning.

Christchurch woman Kathleen Condon had been waiting in the line at the Orchard Rd testing centre for about 50 minutes with two grandchildren, aged 13 and 9.

Her grandchildren had flu-like symptoms and after hearing about the positive cases the family thought they should get tested.

Another resident, Mary Dearsley, said she woke up with a cough on Wednesday and had a sore throat today, so thought she should get a test.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

A handy tip here:

Not sure if Samsung users are aware, but most models of phone can have the Bixby button reprogrammed to have the Tracer App open with a double tap...

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

1 p.m. update coming up.

Case numbers - usual
Christchurch situation
MIQ changes

For all those who are interested.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Just a reminder also

Last two days we've seen a decrease after 4 of the last 7 days case numbers being over 100.

74-79-109-80-104-129-102

Are the numbers falling? Maybe. Let's see what today brings.

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Southern DHB urges symptomatic people to get tested

Southern DHB’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Michael Butchard is urging southerners to get tested if they have any symptoms.

“It is not if, but when we get a case in the Southern district and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of staying home and getting tested if people have any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild."

He prompted people to call their GP or 0800 VIRUS-19 (0800 847 8719) to arrange a test

“With the case in Blenheim and the two cases in Christchurch there is no time for complacency - if people don’t get tested we won’t know that Covid-19 has made it to the district.

"The sooner we pick up the first case the sooner we can get on top of it. We don’t want a situation where a positive person has been in the community potentially spreading the disease.”

Butchard also pushed the need for vaccinations, encouraging anyone who hasn't already got theirs to go today.

“So far 88.3 per cent of eligible Southern residents have had their first dose of the vaccine, and 74.5 per cent are fully vaccinated. Southerners have done a fantastic job in getting vaccinated but we need everyone who is eligible who hasn’t already had the vaccination to do their bit. If you know whanau or friends who are hesitant, reach out to them today and have a friendly chat about why you got vaccinated.”

Butchard reminded people to follow alert level 2 rules.

“The Delta strain is highly infectious and can spread by airborne transmission. So please wear a mask when you leave the house, remember to scan everywhere you go, and don’t forget the importance of good hand hygiene. All these measures will protect yourselves and others."