The number of new daily community cases of Covid-19 has fallen slightly from yesterday’s record, with 1901 new cases reported in New Zealand today.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 1240 of the new cases were in Auckland, with the rest in the Northland (33), Waikato (249), Bay of Plenty (66), Lakes (11), Hawke’s Bay (22), MidCentral (12), Whanganui (10), Taranaki (10), Tairāwhiti (12), Wairarapa (17), Capital and Coast (38), Hutt Valley (31), Nelson Marlborough (40), Canterbury (40), South Canterbury (2), West Coast (1) and Southern (65) DHBs.
There were also 14 cases identified at the border, including five historical cases.
There have now been 28,360 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand since the pandemic began.
The Ministry said there are 76 people in hospital with the coronavirus. None are in ICU.
A total of 25,364 vaccine booster doses were given yesterday, as well as 1039 first doses, 897 second doses and 761 paediatric doses.
More than 2.1 million booster shots have now been given across New Zealand.
The Ministry has now started reporting the percentage of the eligible population who have received a booster by DHB region.
The Nelson/Marlborough DHB has the highest percentage of booster doses with 73 percent. The Waikato and Auckland DHBs have the lowest percentage of booster doses at 62 percent.
Fiji has reported 213 cases of Dengue Fever and 30 cases of Typhoid Fever this year.
The Government earlier announced that 14 people had died from leptospirosis this year including a six year old boy.
Dr Fong said of the typhoid cases, 11 were from the Central Division, 14 in the west and five in the north of the country.
But he said case numbers of typhoid fever were below the expected numbers for this time of year.
“Typhoid fever is typically found in areas that do not have access to clean drinking water such as rural areas and urban informal settlements,” Dr Fong said.
“We strongly encourage people who live in these areas, and any other areas without access to clean drinking water, to boil all drinking water.
“We must all also continue to practise basic hygiene measures such as frequently washing hands with soap and water, but especially after visiting the toilet and before eating or preparing food.”
Meanwhile, Dr Fong said there’s been an increase in dengue cases since the recent heavy rain and floods.
“There have been 213 cases of dengue fever reported, which is within the expected numbers for this time of the year,” he said.
Dr Fong urged the public to get rid of potential mosquito breeding places, such as empty containers outside homes that may collect water, including discarded tyres.
“You must also prevent yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes through the use of mosquito screens in your homes, and mosquito repellents,” he said.
“The Ministry of Health and Medical Services Communicable Disease Committee has been activated and is assisting the divisional command centres in responding to cases of leptospirosis, typhoid, and dengue fever, including raising awareness and providing refresher training for medical professionals in primary care for early diagnosis and treatment.”
Fiji is also battling a third wave of the coronavirus with 94 cases in isolation and the death toll at 823.
Entrepreneur Elon Musk is helping Tonga’s attempt to provide a staple internet service to remote places in the kingdom.
Elon Musk (file photo). (Source: Getty)
Information CEO Paula Ma’u said today Musk donated 50 VSAT Terminals satellite disks.
“These terminals will be deployed at strategic locations throughout Tonga to ensure connections and communications are maintained, particularly for the disaster response operations”, Ma’u said.
Technical staff from Musk’s SpaceX company and the Tongan government were working on installing the equipment and is scheduled to be launched next week.
The 827km fibre optic internet cable between Tonga and Fiji was cut when the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano exploded. It is expected to be fixed and reconnect the international services on February 20.
Musk’s donations come amid debate among Tongan authorities over the best option for its internet backup.
The government of the late prime minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva believed the best option was for Tonga to spend its money in building a satellite back up service.
The Pōhiva government had made a 15-year deal with Kacific to establish a satellite backup link, but this was cancelled by the Tu’ionetoa government.
Current Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku supported the idea of having another undersea backup cable. He said the fibre optic cable is fast, quicker and reliable than the satellite internet.
New Zealand politician Dr Shane Reti wrote to Musk asking him to help provide a Starlink connection. After the reports from Fiji emerged, Reti tweeted: “Very pleased. Elon Musk providing satellite to Tonga.”
Tonga High Commissioner to Australia Princess Angelika Tuku’aho has shown her gratitude to Australian authorities for various assistances they donated to Tonga since January 15 fatal tsunami.
FM dinner with Pacific Diplomatic Corps at RG Casey in Canberra 2022.
“Today we mark the one-month anniversary of this unprecedented natural disaster that has struck Tonga – from which it will take years to recover”, a statement said.
The High Commission of the Kingdom of Tonga in Canberra is very grateful to the Government and the people of Australia for all their generous assistance, prayers and love that has extended to Tonga at this very challenging time.
“Australian Government assistance Tonga is a member of the Pacific family, and Australia is standing by Tonga in its time of need. Australia is ensuring that its assistance directly meets the immediate humanitarian aid and disaster relief needs of the Tongan people and government as a reliable and responsible partner of the Pacific family.
Australian assistance included AU$3 million in humanitarian assistance.
The Australian Government is in close communication and coordination with the Government of Tonga at all levels, including Ministerial and Prime Ministerial levels – Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison spoke with Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni on 19 January.
Tonga’s two Guardian-class Patrol Boats and a landing craft – all Australian gifted – were undamaged and have been used regularly by Tonga since the eruption to check on impacted communities, distribute essential supplies and evacuate people. Australia’s pre-positioned stores with the Tongan Red Cross have been delivered to impacted communities.
Humanitarian relief supplies
Royal Australian Airforce (RAF) has conducted eight aerial surveillance flights to assess initial damage across Tonga; more may follow at the request of the Government of Tonga, As of 15 February, 15 RAF humanitarian assistance flights have landed in Tonga carrying essential supplies and equipment, including family kits, hygiene kits, shelter kits and bedding, water purification tablets, Personal Protective Equipment and cleanup equipment, UNICEF emergency kits and satellite equipment from Telstra. RAF assistance flights have delivered over 130 tonnes of supplies and equipment to date, with more flights likely in the days ahead. HMAS Adelaide, the largest support vessel in the Royal Australian Navy, arrived in Tonga on 26 January carrying humanitarian and medical supplies such as shelter, water purification and hygiene kits, as well as engineering equipment and helicopters to support logistics and distribution. HMAS Adelaide completed contactless delivery of over 80 tonnes of supplies and equipment on 27 January. In total, HMAS Adelaide and Australian assistance flights have delivered more than
210 tones of essential supplies and equipment to date.
Telecommunications
Communications with and within Tonga continue to be significantly impacted as a result of the disaster. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Telstra and Tongan telecommunications authorities moved quickly and effectively to address the disruption to communications. Basic mobile connectivity is now re-established, voice calls and texts are now operational on Tongatapu, and limited data services are also available through GPRS and 3G. Contact with and within Tonga is occurring through satellite technology provided by Australia and other partners, The Australian High Commission in Tonga has been making available its satellite phones to support official communications by the Government of Tonga. Tonga’s international and domestic communication cables were cut by the eruption and repairing these is a priority. A commercial cable repair vessel has arrived in Tonga and currently working on repairing the international cable. Australia is engaging with the Government of Tonga on connectivity options while the cable is being repaired, including possibly providing antenna and other communications equipment, potentially in collaboration with other partners. Australia is closely supporting Tonga in re-establishing communications with the outside world. This has allowed the Tongan community in Australia (numbering more than 40,000) and elsewhere to communicate with family and friends in Tonga to ensure their safety.
Cooperation with partners
Australia’s Department of Defence has established Operation TONGA ASSIST 22. The Tonga High Commission in Canberra and Australia is closely coordinating its response with partners including France and New Zealand (under the FRANZ agreement), Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. A coordination hub has been established at Defence’s HQ Joint Operations Command, where liaison officers are embedded from His Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga, Fiji, NZ, Japan, France and the UK, and with virtual participation from the United States. Australia is supporting offers of assistance from other members of the Pacific family through logistics and coordination where possible, for example, a contingent from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces left Australia on 9 February for Tonga to assist with the recovery efforts.
People to People
Tonga is also most appreciative for the outpouring of support from the Australian Community, including the Tongan-Australian Diaspora. The community has rallied together in an effort to raise much needed financial support and to collect donations of essentials. These donations are being co-ordinated in each state by the Pili-e-Tauhala Recovery Committees – formed by the Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lätufuipeka Tuku’aho, High Commissioner for Tonga. Also, Tonga is grateful for the donation of some urgently needed medical supplies by Med Earth through SmartAid, Equinox and others. As well, Thread Together have donated over 20,000 items of brand-new clothing and footwear. These donations were able to sent to Tonga in the first of a number of containers graciously donated to Tonga High Commission by the Swire Shipping Group. The High Commission is very grateful to the Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia Defence, the community and all these groups for their generous assistance to Tonga in its time of need.
Missing man Thomas Phillips. Photo: Supplied / Police
Phillips failed to appear in court on 12 January, facing charges of wasteful deployment of police personnel and resources following the extensive search.
Waikato west area commander Inspector Will Loughrin said police were trying to establish where Phillips and his three children are.
Police were receiving useful tips from the public as after the events last year people were aware what the family members looked like, Loughrin said.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Complaints Board received 56 complaints about two ads discouraging mask use, and 45 complaints about claims about the children’s vaccine.
An anti-vaccine leaflet delivered to households in Wellington by Voices for Freedom Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Some complainants were also concerned about suggestions in the ads that the Authority was endorsing their claims.
The board says the ads are in breach of the Advertising Standards Code.
ASA chief executive Hilary Souter said while freedom of expression was protected under the Bill of Rights, that must be balanced with the public health impact of misinformation during a pandemic.
The Ministry of Health is reporting 1929 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 1384 of the new cases are in the Auckland DHBs, with the remaining cases in the Northland (13), Waikato (155), Bay of Plenty (58), Lakes (9), Hawke’s Bay (17), MidCentral (3), Whanganui (11), Taranaki (9), Tairāwhiti (8), Wairarapa (5), Capital and Coast (28), Hutt Valley (50), Nelson Marlborough (60), Canterbury (35), South Canterbury (7) and Southern (77) DHBs.
There are 73 people in hospital with the coronavirus, with one in ICU. Seven of the cases are in Waikato Hospital, with others in Auckland, Rotorua, Tauranga, Wellington, Tairawhiti and MidCentral hospitals.
There were also 18 cases reported at the border today.
There have now been 26,544 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand since the pandemic began.
There were 35,903 vaccine booster doses given yesterday, as well as 2274 first doses, 1396 second doses and 1791 paediatric doses.
Nearly 370,000 booster doses were given over the Ministry’s ‘Big Boost’ week, while more than 90 percent of Māori aged 12 years and over in the MidCentral DHB region have now been full vaccinated -the fifth DHB area in Aotearoa to reach this mark.
Since Tuesday, one in every 10 people presenting at the Middlemore Hospital emergency department has tested positive for Covid-19.
Tributes are flowing in online for a Tongan man killed in a crash on Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku on Oahu, Hawai’i last week.
Henry Tonga, 26, of Kahuku was driving north on Kamehameha Highway when he hit a woman who was driving from a side street onto Kamehameha Highway going south, local news KHON reported.
The woman’s vehicle lost control, went off the roadway and crashed into a pole.
When the Honolulu Fire Department arrived the woman’s vehicle was on its side. HFD used a battery powered hydraulic rescue tool to get Tonga out of his car. HFD said he was unresponsive.
EMS officials treated them both. Tonga was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition, and the woman was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
Police reportedly said Tonga was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A post on a sister’s Facebook page read: “This hurts so much (love). My dearest little brother Henry I love you (so much)”.
One comment said: “Deepest condolences sis 😢 Praying God’s angels comfort and strengthen you and your family”
Another person wrote: ” Rest In God Love Henry Tonga until we meet again!”.
” Beautiful and handsome Henry you gone too soon, but I believe God’s have bigger plans for you, love you Hika and Miu”.
While Fijian health authorities are happy Covid-19 cases in the country are on the decline, they can’t say the same for leptospirosis.
Soldiers help clean up in the capital Suva. Photo: Supplied/Fiji govt
A six-year-old is among 14 people who have died from leptospirosis in Fiji this year.
Health Secretary Dr James Fong said this followed the recent heavy rains and flooding experienced around the country.
He said the remaining 13 deaths involved males aged between 16 and 35 years old.
Fiji recorded 28 new cases of Covid-19 in the community on Thursday – its lowest since this third wave began last November.
The head of Fiji’s Medical Association, Dr Basharat Munshi, is urging the public to boil all drinking water and cover their hands and feet when out in the fields.
“It’s an occupation hazard for farmers, dairy workers and abattoir workers so if you’re a farmer, please wear gumboots and gloves where necessary,” Dr Munshi said.
“If you have any cuts and scratches to cover them up when you go out into the fields.”
Dr Munshi said climate-sensitive diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue fever and typhoid were prevalent during periods of heavy rain and flooding.
Dr Basharat Munshi. Photo: Supplied
It was imperative that members of the public adhere to the health precautions to avoid contracting leptospirosis, Dr Munshi said.
“The symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, muscle pain, headache, red eyes, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or feeling weak.
“To prevent leptospirosis, people must avoid wading or swimming in flooded waters, wear shoes when walking outside, and keep all food and drink covered and away from rats.”
Dr Fong said 65 of the latest leptospirosis cases were reported in the Central Division, three in the east, 38 in the north and 73 cases recorded in the west.
While leptospirosis case numbers were above expected numbers for this time of the year in the west and central divisions, Dr Fong said there was also an increasing trend noted in the north of the country.
An Emergency Medical Assistance Team (FEMAT) has been deployed to the western interior of Fiji’s main island Viti Levu to address the surge in leptospirosis cases there.
Another team, led by Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete is visiting communities on Kadavu Island in Fiji’s east.
Soldiers clear rubbish during the LTDD campaign. Photo: Supplied/Fiji govt
Dr Fong said these areas were difficult to reach and are at risk of a major outbreak of the disease.
“The hospital admission and deaths data indicate that most of the hospital admissions and deaths are in the Western Division,” he said.
“There have been 14 deaths with 12 in the western division, one in the central division and one in the northern division,” Dr Fong said.
“The majority of hospital admissions in the west are from Ba, Nadroga/Navosa, Rakiraki and some parts of Lautoka.
“The majority of admissions in the Central Division have been from Serua/Namosi, Wainibokasi and Tailevu.”
Dr Fong said delays in accessing care had been noted to contribute significantly to those adverse outcomes.
In January last year, Fiji’s Health Ministry announced a leptospirosis outbreak and 10 suspected fatalities.
The Auckland hospital gives rapid antigen tests to everyone who turns up for treatment, even if they do not have symptoms of the coronavirus.
The Middlemore Hospital emergency department. Photo: LDR
Middlemore Hospital head of emergency department Dr Vanessa Thornton told Morning Report that trend had continued over the week, and the hospital expected that.
“It is slowly increasing, but it will be increasing more dramatically over probably the coming weeks, one would think … as predicted in many of the modelling processes that have occurred, and we have our own epidemiologist that looks on a day-to-day basis and we’re expecting the cases to increase across the next few weeks.”
The number of admissions in general was also expected to rise.
“We may have to reduce some other services in order to cope, but we have a plan in place to cope with this surge going up in the next four weeks” – Middlemore Hospital head of emergency department Dr Vanessa Thornton.
“We do have people presenting with cough fever and it exacerbates their underlying condition, if that makes sense, so it makes their underlying comorbidities more obvious, though they would be sicker than you and I would be with the virus.
“There are few people that are still presenting with … pneumonia, or infection and their lungs, but that’s a much, much smaller proportion than happened in the Delta outbreak.
“They are people who are very, very very short of breath, but we had a lot of those people in intensive care in the last outbreak, which was a much different virus than Omicron.”
The situation for staff was challenging, Thornton said.
Dr Vanessa Thornton Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
“It’s been challenging for the last two years over this whole period for the staff, from added processes, for example, the PPE you just discussed, and it is very warm in summer … the staff have responded really well to this and had been working very, very hard but it is challenging in this environment.”
As for the wider hospital’s capacity to deal with Omicron, Thornton said: “We have changed all our process to adapt, but it’s challenging. We already had reduced staffing … prior to this and with the illness that’s affecting the community, it obviously affects our workforce as well.
“The challenges in the workforce just add to the pressures from the patients, but Middlemore has been prepared for this.
“We may have to reduce some other services in order to cope, but we have a plan in place to cope with this surge going up in the next four weeks.”
