Some American adults with weakened immune systems who received a third dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna coronavirus vaccine authorized just for them will become eligible for a fourth shot as a booster next year, according to updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“In such situations, people who are moderately and severely immunocompromised may receive a total of four vaccine doses,” with the fourth coming at least six months after the third, the C.D.C.’s guidelines said.
The earliest that immunocompromised people who received that third mRNA vaccine shot can get a fourth shot as a booster would be February. The agency said that people could select that booster from any of the three coronavirus vaccines available in the United States.
The C.D.C. also recommends that moderately and severely immunocompromised adults who received Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine get another dose of any one of the three vaccine brands, at least two months after their initial shot.
The agency updated its guidelines on Monday, adding the possibility of a booster dose for many immunocompromised people, including those undergoing chemotherapy, recovering from a solid organ transplant or facing certain other medical issues, like infection with H.I.V.
The new recommendations also specified that a fourth dose of Moderna’s vaccine should be half the size of a normal dose.
Many health officials and experts in the United States and other countries have made a distinction between additional shots for immunocompromised people, who may not have mounted a strong immune response after their initial doses, and broader booster programs intended to shore up other peoples’ immunity, which can wane against infection naturally over time.
The World Health Organization has supported additional doses for people with weakened immune systems while calling for a global moratorium until the end of the year on booster programs for otherwise healthy people, so that more doses can be allocated to lower-income countries with low rates of vaccination.
The call for a moratorium has not stopped countries like Israel, the United States and Germany from moving ahead with booster programs.
Frontline staff at Fua’amotu International airport are concerned at the orders they were given in the wake of the discovery of a Covid case on a flight from Christchurch.
Air New Zealand aircraft at Fua’amotu International airport. Photo/Kalino Lātū
The positive person was one of 215 people who arrived in Tonga on a repatriation flight from Christchurch on Wednesday.
Some airport staff including those who first boarded the plane in Tonga after it arrived said they were concerned after they were told to go home and not to the MIQs after the plane from Christchurch left Tonga on Wednesday night.
They were told to take a Covid test on Thursday, but it was cancelled. On Friday, the day Tonga acknowledged its first Covid case, they were called again to have their test done at 1pm.
The frontliners said they were really concerned because they had their tests after they had already mixed and mingled with their family and members of the community. After having their test done on Friday they were told to stay home and self isolate there. Some frontliners said they had just done their test this evening Saturday at 8,30pm before they were told to quarantine at the Kupesi hotel MIQ.
It is understood they wore full personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the whole unloading process.
The Ministry of Health’s CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said frontline staff should be safe because of the time needed for the virus to grow.
A female staffer who works for the Customs Department and was working on the night the flight arrived in Tonga left for Ha’apai island yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Talakeiola Club at Haveluloto told its members via its Facebook page, to avoid coming to the club until further notice because one of their members was a frontliner who was isolating in the club. It said he had been taken to the Kupesi hotel MIQ.
The frontliner’s unease has been shared by ordinary people who think the government has taken the kingdom’s first Covid case too lightly.
Tonga is currently in restriction mode, which includes a curfew. The Covid case should have moved the country to another level, but this has not happened.
Today a big celebration was held at Tonga College commemorating the school’s 139th anniversary.
Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa told a press conference that he was advised the virus would take more than three days to develop in somebody who caught it before they became contagious. For this reason the country would not move into lockdown this weekend.
However, Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said people should use the time to get ready in case more cases were confirmed. Tonga may go into lockdown next week.
The delay has worried some people who said the virus may already spread in the community, especially frontline workers. They said Tonga should have gone into lockdown on Friday straight after the case was detected to protect the country while those who were close contacts and frontliners were monitored closely.
The infected person is still in isolation at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa where passengers from the flight are in managed isolation for 21 days, but is expected to be moved to another facility.
Christchurch flight
Most of the passengers on the flight from Christchurch were seasonal workers and most of the Tongan Olympic team.
All the people on the flight from Christchurch were required to have negative Covid tests prior to departure.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health said the positive case was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, and had their second dose on October 15.
There are 160 new community cases today – 151 in Auckland, seven in Waikato and one each in Northland and Canterbury.
There was no media briefing today. In a statement the Ministry said 95 of today’s cases are still to be linked and there have been 358 unlinked cases in the past 14 days.
“The case numbers reported today are a reminder of the infectiousness of Covid-19, and particularly the Delta variant, and the importance of vaccination as the best protection. The rise in case numbers is not unexpected and is line with modelling to date.”
There are 47 people in hospital, up from 37 yesterday. Two are in intensive care.
There were 42,755 vaccine doses given yesterday – 10,995 first doses and 31,760 second doses.
There have now been 3205 cases in the current outbreak.
More cases in retirement home
Another seven residents and one staff member at the Edmonton Meadows retirement village in Henderson have tested positive for Covid-19 – bringing the total number of cases at the home to nine.
“It’s important to note there are high levels of vaccination among residents of the home, and all staff are fully vaccinated,” said the Ministry
“All staff and residents have now been tested and will also receive day 5 and day 12 testing.”
Only one positive staff member has been required to stand down.
The retirement village has been operating under alert level 3 guidelines for visitors.
New Canterbury case
The new case reported in Christchurch today is not linked to earlier cases reported in the city this week, but is a person who recently arrived in New Zealand and tested positive after multiple negative tests in MIQ in Auckland.
After being released and travelling to Christchurch, they had a further test which returned a positive result last night.
They have reported as being full vaccinated.
The Ministry said the person is now self-isolating in Christchurch, “pending further tests to determine the source of infection and whether it is acute or historical”.
Tongan case contacts travel to Wellington
Two of four household contacts of the person who tested positive after flying from Christchurch to Tonga then travelled to Wellington, the Ministry said.
Four contacts of the case who travelled to Tonga on Wednesday have now been identified. Two remain in Christchurch, while the other two travelled to Wellington on Tuesday.
“All contacts have been contacted by public health officials, been told to self-isolate and get tested.
“Anyone with symptoms is asked to please get tested and reminded to get vaccinated today if they have not already.”
Seven new cases in Waikato
The Ministry said the seven new cases in waikato today include two in Kāwhia which were reported in yesterday’s 1pm update. The others are three from Hamilton, one from the Te Awamutu/Kihikihi area, and one from Ōtorohanga
Of the seven cases, four remain unlinked.
“All are in isolation with public health oversight.”
———- FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA NOUNOU ——————-
Kuo fakapapau’i ‘eni ‘a e feitu’u Mo e kakai ne nau fetu’utaki ‘i Christchurch mo e toko taha kuo puke ‘i Tonga he Koviti’ ka ‘oku ‘ikai tuku mai ‘a e fakaikiiki ‘e he kau Ma’u Mafai Nu’u Sila’. Ko e toko ua ‘i he toko fā ne nau nofo fakataha mo e tokotaha kuo ma’u ‘i Tonga ‘e he Koviti’, na’a’ na fononga ki Uelingatoni, ko e lau ‘eni mei he Potungāue Mo’ui ‘a Nu’u Sila’. ‘A ia ko e toko ua ‘oku’ na kei Christchurch kae toko ua ‘i Uelingatoni he Tusite’. Kuo ‘osi fetu’utaki ‘a e kau ma’umafai’ mo kinautolu ke nau fakamama’o ‘iate kinautolu pe pea ō sivi. ‘Oatu ai pe ‘i he ongoongo ko eni tokolahi e keisi fo’ou ‘i Nu’u Sila ni’ ‘a ia ko e toko 160 he ‘aho ni. Vakai ki he Kaniva’ ki he fakaikiiki e talanoa’ ni
Businesses are being warned they must not rip customers off after the Prime Minister announced yesterday the kingdom could face a nightmare scenario if the Delta virus spread.
Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa (L), Hon Poasi Tei (Midde) and Ministry of Health Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola during a press conference yesterday announcing the positive Covid-19 case
The kingdom has recorded its first Covid-19 case after one of 215 people who arrived in Tonga on a repatriation flight from Christchurch on Wednesday tested positive.
Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa asked the people to prepare themselves for the weekend, follow curfews and practice social distancing.
In a livestreamed press conference on Friday Tu’i’onetoa said the lockdown won’t happen this weekend because he was advised that the virus will take more than three days to develop in someone who caught it before they become contagious.
“We should use this time to get ready in case more people are confirmed they have the virus.”
After the positive case was confirmed, Vaiola hospital was swamped by people who rushed to get vaccinated.
Warning
The Consumer Affairs has warned this morning that they were out in the community and visiting businesses to make sure they operate according to the law.
The authority has asked customers to ask for receipts and keep records of their shoppings and purchases.
People are being urged to report any similar conduct or if they have noticed price increases on goods during this time? Feel ripped off? Contact Consumer Affairs by following this link https://www.facebook.com/tongaconsumeraffairs.
The patient fully vaccinated
As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the patient had been isolating at a quarantine hotel.
New Zealand health officials said the traveler to Tonga was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine and had returned a negative test before leaving for Tonga.
The officials said they would be working with their Tongan counterparts to confirm the case and provide more details in the coming days.
As of October 25, around 47 per cent had received vaccinations in Tonga – 31 per cent of these were fully vaccinated, according to Our World In Data.
A person has tested positive for Covid-19 in Tonga after arriving from Christchurch, New Zealand on Wednesday night, MEIDECC CEO has just confirmed this to Kaniva News this afternoon.
Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva Tonga)
When asked for confirmation CEO Paula Ma’u said: “Correct, one positive and PM will be on air 4pm our time (about now) to announce details”.
The confirmation has sparked concerns that the virus could have spread among the 215 passengers on board the flight who are now quarantined in Tongatapu.
The revelation came after an e-mail seen by Kaniva News sent from a senior doctor at Vaiola hospital at 1.48pm today said:
“We have 1 positive case”.
The sender, who we chose not to reveal their identity at this stage, also made the following proposals.
“No one allowed to go up to wards without 2 vaccinations except it is the patient. All attendances should have the 2 vaccinations and only 1 attendance per patient.
“Limit visits to only close family and 2 per visit. Need ID for visit up to ward.
“Above should start as soon as we can inform the public say start Nov 1 which is Monday next week.
This was the first case of Covid-19 in the kingdom and it is understood the patient was in one of the MIQs in Nuku’alofa.
New Zealand cases
The Tongan case was detected after two cases of Covid-19 reported in Christchurch yesterday Thursday 28. Both cases lived together in the suburb of Bishopdale.
One of the cases had permission to go to Auckland to provide childcare and tested negative before returning to Christchurch.
Both became unwell last week and were tested two days ago.
They returned positive Covid tests on Wednesday night.
Three households with nine close contacts have been identified.
Tonga’s CEO of the Ministry of Communications (MEIDECC), Paula Ma’u earlier said they had received the report of the Christchurch Covid-19 cases after the passengers arrived in Tonga.
“The passengers were being processed according to the normal procedure at the quarantine facilities and tested for Covid-19″.
The repatriated flight arrived with passengers including seasonal workers as well as some of Tonga’s Olympic team officials who got stuck in New Zealand after the Olympic Games.
The last repatriation flight for the year is scheduled to arrive on November 23 according to a MEIDECC statement on October 26.
There are 125 new Covid-19 cases in the community today, including two new cases in Christchurch, the Ministry of Health says.
There was no Covid-19 media conference today. In a statement, the ministry said the two Christchurch cases were expected and related community cases, both from a single household linked to the cases identified earlier this week.
The Ministry said 13 close contacts of the four Canterbury cases were isolating and would undergo further testing. Covid-19 was detected in a Christchurch wastewater sample taken on Wednesday.
There was also one new case in Northland and four in Waikato, with the remaining 118 in Auckland. Three of the Waikato cases are still to be linked, but the Northland case was not unexpected, as they are a household member of a case and were already isolating.
Fifty-one of the new cases are still to be linked. There have been 289 unlinked cases in the past 14 days.
There were also three new cases and one historical case identified at the border.
There are 39 people in hospital with the coronavirus, including four in intensive care.
One of the new Auckland cases is a resident at Edmonton Meadows retirement village in Henderson.
“Public health staff are confident the risk of infection is low but, as a precaution, testing is being arranged for all staff and residents. Both staff and residents at the village have very high vaccination rates.
“Investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection and identify close contacts. At this stage, no staff members are required to stand down.”
The Ministry said the rise in case numbers was a reminder of the infectiousness of Covid-19.
“With over 30,000 tests processed nationwide yesterday, these results aren’t unexpected.”
There were 44,779 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine given yesterday, including 12,780 first doses and 31,999 second doses.
One of the four new cases reported in the Waikato today has been linked to existing cases. Three of the new cases were in the Te Awamutu/Kihikihi area and one in Ōtorohanga.
In Auckland, people in the suburbs of Redvale, Rosedale, New Lynn, Wiri, Drury, Henderson and Manurewa are being urged to get tested.
The number of community cases linked to the current outbreak has risen to more than 3000, with 3046 cases in this outbreak – more than half of the 5764 in total since the pandemic began.
The government is awaiting test results of 215 Tongan repatriates who arrived from Christchurch on Wednesday night amid two positive cases of Covid-19 reported in the New Zealand city.
Both cases live together in the suburb of Bishopdale, RNZ reported.
One of the cases had permission to go to Auckland to provide childcare and tested negative before returning to Christchurch.
Both became unwell last week and were tested two days ago.
They returned positive Covid tests on Wednesday night.
Three households with nine close contacts have been identified.
Tonga’s CEO of the Ministry of Communications (MEIDECC), Paula Ma’u, said they had received the report of the Christchurch Covid-19 cases after the passengers arrived in Tonga.
“The passengers were being processed according to the normal procedure at the quarantine facilities and tested for Covid-19,” Ma’u told Kaniva News this evening.
“Precaution measures have been put in place while awaiting the test results which are expected to be available in a day or two”.
“Let’s pray that Tonga still be safe”.
The repatriated flight arrived with passengers including seasonal workers as well as some of Tonga’s Olympic team officials who got stuck in New Zealand after the Olympic Games.
The last repatriation flight for the year is scheduled to arrive on November 23 according to a MEIDECC statement on October 26.
The Supreme Court of Tonga ruled today that the police were not acting maliciously when they prosecuted Lord Tu’ivakanō before he went on trial in February 2020.
Lord Tuʻivakanō. Photo/Tonga Legislative Assembly
The king’s noble was charged with five counts of accepting a bribe as a government servant, money laundering, perjury, making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport and possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license.
Lord Tu’ivakanō pleaded guilty to the possession of a firearm on March 2020. The jury found him guilty on the perjury, false statement and possession of ammunition charges.
On April 24, 2020 the former Speaker was sentenced on the bribery and money laundering charges to two years imprisonment, fully suspended on conditions including 100 hours community service and fined on each of the firearms and ammunition offences.
However, he appealed against the convictions and on October 30, 2020, the Court of Appeal acquitted him of the perjury and false statement charges and dismissed the appeal in respect of the ammunition.
The lawsuit
In April this year the noble MP commenced this proceeding in which he claimed a total of TOP$5.75 million in damages for malicious prosecution.
He claimed general, aggravated and exemplary damages for “wrongful arrest, imprisonment, conviction and punishment” in consequence of alleged malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office by the defendants, which included the former Minister of Police, Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police.
The court summarised Lord Tu’ivakanoo’s claims under a number of paragraphs including saying the former late Prime Minister was “largely responsible” for the prosecution of the Plaintiff and he and the former Minister of Police were motivated by malice and had an “active role” in the police charging and arresting the Plaintiff
The defence denied the claims saying that at all material times, they had reasonable grounds and sufficient evidence at the time to lay the charges and to prosecute Lord Tu’ivakanō.
The ruling
The ruling clarifies standards for when wrongly accused individuals can sue for malicious prosecution.
Lord Chief Justice Michael Whitten said “that proof of malice will often be a matter of inference, but it is proof that is required, not conjecture or suspicion”.
“At the forefront of the Plaintiff’s pleaded allegations of malice, and in his evidence, was the Plaintiff’s belief that the police investigation and subsequent prosecution was politically motivated”.
Mr Whitten said, that was based on certain public statements by the late former Prime Minister to the effect that he considered that Lord Tu’ivakanō was involved in the unlawful sale of Tongan passports.
“It was also based on the assertion that the former Minister of Police was responsible for instigating the police investigation which ‘targeted’ the Plaintiff. In closing submissions, the strength of that belief appeared to have waned somewhat when counsel for the Plaintiff wrote that the Plaintiff believed that former Prime Minister Pohiva ‘had something to do with his prosecution’”
Mr Whitten said Lord Tu’ivakanō has failed to establish, on the balance of the probabilities, that the police investigation and criminal prosecution against him was without reasonable and probable cause or that it was motivated by malice.
“Accordingly, the Plaintiff’s claim is dismissed”.
———– FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA NOUNOU ——————-
Kuo ‘ikai tali ‘e he ‘Eiki Fakamaau Lahi ‘a e ‘eke $5.75 miliona ‘a Looti Tu’ivakanō ke totongi huhu’i ange mei he pule’anga Tonga’ he’ene tui na’e fakahoko ‘i he fakalotokovi ‘a hono faka’ilo ia ‘e he kau polisi’ ‘o tukuaki’i ki heni ‘a e Palēmia ki mu’a ‘Akilisi Pōhiva mo e Minisitā Polisi ‘aho ko ia’ Māteni Tapueluelu. Na’e toe faka’ilo foki mo e pule’anga Tonga, Komisiona Polisi’ pehē ki he ‘Ateni Seniale’. Ne ‘ikai tali ‘eni tu’unga he pehē ‘e ‘Eiki Fakamaau Lahi Whitten na’e ‘ikai lava ‘e he nōpele’ ni ke ne fakamo’oni’i ta’etoeveiveiua na’e fai hono faka’ilo’ he funga ‘o e fakalotokovi. Na’e faka’ilo foki ‘a Tu’ivakanō ki he hia ko e fa’u ha fakamatala ta’emo’oni ke ma’u ta’efakalao ai ha paasipooti, tali ha totongi fakafufū, fō e pa’anga ‘uli, fakafe’ātungia’i e ngāue ‘a e kau polisi’ pea mo hono ma’u ia mo e mahafu mo ha me’a tau ‘ikai ha’ane laiseni. Neongo ia ne ne tangi pea ‘i ‘Okatopa ta’u kuo ‘osi’ ne tali ai ‘ene tangi ‘o fakahaofi ia mei he hia ko hono fakafe’ātungia’i e ngāue ‘a e kau polisi’ mo hono fakahoko ha fakamatala loi ke ma’u ai ha koloa. ‘I he ta’u ni leva ne kamata ai ‘ene ‘eke maumau ko eni ki he pule’anga ka kuo ‘ikai tali ‘e he ‘Eiki Fakamaau Lahi
A severe weather warning has been issued for Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u and ‘Eua, with strong southeasterly winds.
Met Service said a fresh to strong East to Southeasterly wind-flow prevails over the Group.
“A strong wind warning remains in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas,” it said.
A strong wind warning and small craft advisory remain in force for all of Tonga coastal waters with East to Southeasterly winds 15-20 knots, rising up to 25 knots at times.
Moderate seas (up to 2.5 meters).
For the Niuas, there are moderate to fresh East to Southeast winds.
“Mainly fine apart from cloudy periods with showers”.
A report by Relief Web last year said the Tropical Cyclone (TC) activity expected in the 2020/21 Tropical Cyclone Season to affect Tonga is likely to be around one to two cyclones on average.
It said any tropical cyclones passing close to the country, associated active cloud and rain bands may occasionally affect Tonga with marked rainfall and possible flooding, including sea flooding of low‐lying coastal areas.
Tonga’s tropical cyclone season normally starts on November until March.
Health authorities are still trying to determine the risk to Christchurch of two new community cases of Covid-19 there, and a snap lockdown is not being ruled out.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is expecting to receive a public health risk assessment on the cases later this morning, which will allow a quick decision about a potential lockdown, possibly at today’s 1pm briefing.
The two cases are from the same household, are not vaccinated, and their use of the Covid-19 Tracer app has been low.
They have been in Christchurch for up to a week after one travelled back from Auckland. They had a negative test result prior to that travel as required but later tested positive.
At this stage, there are no other known household contacts for the pair.
Hipkins told Morning Report “The nature of their contacts in Christchurch will be established during the morning and then we’ll have a bit more information to share, but you know, these cases came in quite late last night.
“My understanding is that they’ve been unwell for a while so they could have been symptomatic and infectious for a period of time whilst back in Christchurch and so that’s one of the things that the contact tracers will be working on as a as a top priority this morning – to identify exactly what the nature of the potential exposure in Christchurch is.”
It was not yet clear how many locations of interest there might be.
“As of last night that identified one other household so far that the person had had contact with … but we’ll know more within the next few hours, hopefully.”
The impact of their low use of the Covid Tracer app “ultimately would depend on exactly how much they’ve been out in the community, you know if they’ve been unwell, they may well have been staying at home for much of that period of time.
“If they have had a significant amount of movement within the community, and then the fact that they haven’t kept records does make that more challenging because human nature is everybody will forget things.”
The pair seemed to be co-operating with authorities so far, he said.
There was not enough information available yet to make a call on a snap lockdown, Hipkins said.
“We will know by later in the morning this morning what we’re dealing with in Christchurch. At this point we’re still just waiting to get more information there… I’m expecting to receive the public health risk assessment on these particular cases later on this morning, and that will allow us to make it speedy decision about anything any follow up that’s required in Christchurch.
“I couldn’t make a judgement at this point as to what follow up will will be required.”
According to Canterbury DHB figures, 89 percent of people in the region have received their first dose and 68 percent are fully vaccinated.
Hipkins said that was good.
“Once you get up to those sorts of rates, that does start to have an impact on the spread of the virus.”
But the cases illustrated why there were still restrictions in the South Island, he said.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the two Delta cases were the wake-up call her city was dreading and hoped a snap lockdown would not be needed.
Dalziel told Morning Report it was disappointing the pair were not scanning QR codes and were unvaccinated.
Seeing the damage one case caused in Auckland, people needed to be extremely vigilant, she said.
She wanted tougher border requirements for people leaving locked down regions.
Christchurch-based National Party MP Gerry Brownlee backed a move to a lockdown – if it was the only way to contain a widespread outbreak.
“What we’ve got now is the reality of possibly greater restriction that we’ve enjoyed for a long time and I hope that the Ministry (of Health) in their consideration is sensible, and that the people of Christchurch … continue to use the QR codes, wear masks and where appropriate, (socially) distance,” he told Morning Report.
However, before a lockdown decision was made he would want more information about the movements of the pair.
“I think you’ve gotta be pretty sensible about whether you decide that the whole province or the whole city needs to lock itself down – or just rely on the fact that we have increasing vaccination rates… I just really hope that there is a sensible analysis of what the risks are.”
Gerry Brownlee. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Epidemiologist professor Michael Baker said the new Christchurch cases were expected but nonetheless concerning.
“Some people felt there was some inevitability about this virus in this outbreak, spreading all around the country, including the South Island.
“We’ve already seen how easy it is for a case to a travel from the North Island to Blenheim recently, so this is probably expected but obviously quite a shock.
“If there’s only one case in one household member, contact tracing should work very well. The bigger issue is how many other cases are incubating in the South Island given we have very few controls on infected people getting on flights at the moment.
“One of the problems, of course, is that a high proportion of people will be asymptomatic or have only a few symptoms, the occasional person will also be vaccinated now, so it is quite tough to pick up all of these outbreaks very early, so it’s just critical for people to come forward if they’ve got any symptoms at all.
“I think if the outbreak is well defined – so it’s just the person who’s travelled to Christchurch and their household members – that should be very manageable with contact tracing and the usual methods.
“I think there wouldn’t be a need to raise alert levels in Christchurch if the contact tracing puts a really good boundary around it.
“The risk assessment they’re doing now will be very thorough I’m sure, and that will give us an idea for this case. I think the wider question is how many other cases now are incubating the South Island.”
There were “a whole lot of precautions” that could be used to keep the virus out of the South Island, Baker said.
“The first thing is limiting numbers of people travelling to the South Island from infected areas to just essential workers, for example.
“The other thing is at least some basic screening before people go on flights particularly whether they’ve come from an area that’s under level 3 restrictions where there is considerable transmission and potentially there should be a requirement for pre-travel testing, I think increasingly there should be a requirement for vaccination.”
Both cases live together in the suburb of Bishopdale, RNZ reported.
