Information of two Covid-positive circumstances in Christchurch might make it appear that the pandemic has overcome New Zealand – however this needn’t be the case fairly but, says Ōtago College public well being knowledgeable Professor Nick Wilson.
Two unvaccinated individuals who had travelled from Auckland, the place Covid is spreading by the group, tested positive for the virus in Christchurch on Thursday.
Well being officers stated the pair had not been good customers of the Covid tracer app and one of many individuals had been unwell for 2 weeks.
However Wilson stated this didn’t imply it was a performed deal that the virus would unfold by the remainder of the nation.
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Taiwan and the Australian states of Queensland and Tasmania had been all examples of success tales of both tackling the highly-contagious Delta variant of the virus, or just protecting it out, Wilson stated.
Wellington too had Delta locally and dodged the bullet. Seventeen cases in the capital in August had been tied to the nonetheless ongoing Auckland outbreak however that’s the place Wellington quantity stopped. Northland and Coromandel additionally managed to have the virus and preserve it in examine.
CHRIS SKELTON/Stuff
A Covid-19 testing station on Pages Rd, Christchurch was busy on Thursday after information of the 2 new circumstances within the metropolis.
Wilson stated the intention needed to be to maintain the virus contained till vaccination numbers reached greater ranges, and ideally with the vaccine permitted for five-to-11 years olds.
“We actually ought to be making an attempt a lot tougher to cease it spreading,” Wilson stated, including the Authorities ought to be doing extra to guard the borders between areas of group transmission and people with out.
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Professor Nick Wilson of the College of Otago in Wellington stated we couldn’t hand over but on protecting Covid-19 out of Covid-free areas.
Wellington Metropolis councillor Jill Day, chair of the social, cultural and financial Committee, stated it was nonetheless doable to maintain the virus out of Wellington, at the least till vaccination numbers elevated.
“The circumstances in Christchurch are a well timed reminder that Covid will come to Wellington,” Day stated. “It’s a race in opposition to the clock and the virus. We should all scan, put on masks and socially distance.”
She inspired individuals within the Wellington area to do their bit. “That is the time to have these troublesome conversations with household and mates who’re apprehensive about getting the vaccine,” she stated. “We’re all on this collectively.”
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