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Covid-19 update: 105 new community cases, 15 new Omicron cases identified

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

There are 105 new community cases of Covid-19 today, with the total number of Omicron cases reported in the community also now at 105.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 105 community cases of Covid-19 have either been confirmed as the Omicron variant or have been linked to a previously reported Omicron case – up 15 since yesterday.

It said there were active cases being treated as Omicron in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, the MidCentral DHB, and Nelson-Tasman.

“The number of cases and contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron and as we learn more from case interviews.

“We’re asking everyone in New Zealand to act like Omicron is circulating in their community.”

There are four people in hospital with the coronavirus, with one in intensive care.

Today’s new community cases were in Auckland (76), Waikato (5), Tairawhiti (1), Bay of Plenty (9), Lakes (7), Hawke’s Bay (1), MidCentral (1), Nelson Marlborough (2) and Canterbury (3).

The nine new Covid-19 cases reported in the Bay of Plenty today include three cases announced yesterday, all linked to an early childhood centre in Tauranga. Five of today’s cases are also linked to this childhood centre. All eight are being treated as Omicron.

The ministry also said there was an exposure at a polo event held at the Trustpower Baypark stadium between 1pm and 6.15pm on 22 January, which was attended by a “large number of people”, including cases that are suspected to be Omicron.

There were also 45 new cases identified at the border, with cases coming from Fiji, Iran, USA, Italy, UAE, UK, Qatar, Singapore, Israel, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, India, Spain and Pakistan.

Yesterday there were 45 new community cases of Covid-19 and the total number of recorded Omicron cases in the community was 90.

There have now been 15,615 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand since the pandemic began.

The Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed there were five cases of Covid-19 from the Soundsplash festival and one of them was confirmed as having Omicron.

Health experts are warning that Soundsplash could become a Covid super-spreader event which seeds the virus around the country.

The West Coast has become the 17th DHB to fully vaccinate more than 90 percent of its residents with two doses.

There were 13,112 paediatric doses given yesterday. The Ministry said 29 percent of 5 to 11 year olds have now received their first dose.

There were also 1315 first doses; 2314 second doses and 46,827 booster doses given yesterday.

The ministry said it was vital that anyone in New Zealand with Covid-19 symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if they are vaccinated and to stay at home until they return a negative test result.

“We need to focus testing on those who are symptomatic and contacts of cases to ensure our testing centres don’t quickly become overwhelmed and so we can continue to support the public health response.”

Young Tongan woman’s bloodied face video sparks domestic abuse debate after Tik Tok removes clip

By
Kaniva Staff
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A shocking video of a young Tongan woman’s bruised and bloodied face has gone viral after its Tik Tok account created to expose the damage was removed by the platform’s authority.

Nau Hoeft

Nau Hoeft, 22, alleged she was subject to a four-year abuse from her boy friend and decided to go public about her alleged experience with domestic violence last week.

Tik Tok has removed the video from its platform saying “the blood and bruises were against platform policies”.

However, a copy of the video was shared on Facebook on Tuesday.

The video has been viewed more than 8,000 times on Facebook with users expressing their disgust over the attacks. It racked up more than 300 reactions as of last night.

Ms Hoeft’s supporters have asked people on Facebook to be alert to the signs of domestic violence.

Commenters have hailed Hoeft for her bravery and determination to move on with her life.

One user labelled her abuser as a ‘low-life’, another calls him ‘scum’, all outraged over what they saw in the horrifying photos and video of Hoeft being slapped and showing her bloodied and bruised face.

Some Facebook users were of a view that things happened for a reason while others believed there was no justification for abusing someone like what Ms Hoeft had experienced.

Ms Hoeft met her “ex boyfriend four years ago, when she was just 18, while on a trip from her home in Christchurch, New Zealand, to a small island in the South Pacific”, the Daily Mail Australia reported.

It said the young woman didn’t want to leave her partner because she thought he would change.

After arriving at her parents’ home last week she was taken to the hospital immediately because she couldn’t see properly out of her left eye, before she filed a police report.

It is understood the accused was arrested and charged that night, before he was released on bail given a court date.

MP Jenny Salesa confident Tonga government can handle Covid-19 aboard Australian Navy vessel

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

Australia’s Navy plans to go ahead with delivering relief to Tonga after 23 people on board its ship HMAS Adelaide tested positive for Covid-19.

Jenny Salesa
Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee co-chair and Labour MP Jenny Salesa. Photo: RNZ Pacific: Sela Jane Hopgood

But it says it is confident it can deliver the much-needed aid to local authorities in Tonga without transmitting the virus.

In Auckland, 25 containers of supplies will be shipped out today – relief for families devastated by the volcano and tsunami that hit the Kingdom on 15 January.

Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee co-chair and Labour MP Jenny Salesa told Morning Report the issue of whether the Adelaide should deliver supplies was an issue for Tonga’s government.

“What I can say is when there was the first case of a Covid-19 positive person – that was actually someone from New Zealand – but went into Tonga a few months ago now, that was actually big news in Tonga at the time.

“Fortunately, they were able to keep that case at MIQ. It didn’t go out into the community, but Tonga, as you know, is one of these countries in the Pacific, that is still Covid free and they have been really strict with their border to ensure that they keep that status.

“I am confident that the government of Tonga will be able to deal with it appropriately.”

In Auckland, last night a team of volunteers had loaded 22 containers with 3238 44-gallon drums – most filled with groceries – destined for Tonga.

“Twenty-one of the containers that are filled already are from families in New Zealand to families in Tonga, and we have three more containers to load this morning. So overall there will be 25 containers that will be sent to Tonga.

“Four of these, though, will be sent to the government of Tonga to NEMO – the National Emergency Management Office – and one of those containers to the government is filled with cereal because the prime minister of Tonga had come through to us asking that we help provide at least one meal for the children of Tonga, which is breakfast.”

Overall, the 25 containers were estimated to be worth about $1.6 million dollars of aid.

“We’re really grateful to all of our Tongan families who united through our call and actually came together to fill these containers with food, but I’m also grateful to every New Zealand family, companies, NGOs, temples and churches who have come through to contribute.”

Recovery in Tonga has already started, Red Cross says

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

Tonga is already rebuilding amid the devastation of a double whammy of natural disasters, according to the Red Cross.

Digicel Tonga’s technical team working on satellite link equipment to restore internet connection
Digicel Tonga’s technical team working on satellite link equipment to restore internet connection Photo: Digicel Tonga

Tonga Red Cross staff and volunteers have been assisting people from the moment the tsunami alert was triggered, and are ramping up the delivery of drinking water, temporary shelters and other critical relief supplies across the country.

Tonga Red Cross secretary general Sione Taumoefolau said its teams were using boat and trucks to take vital items to communities in need of the basic necessities.

Shelter was a top priority for families whose homes had been wiped out, he said.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian response into Tonga has been described as well a handled process, almost two weeks on from the eruption and tsunami.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been helping to meet immediate needs, with a response coordinaton based in Fiji.

WHO representative to the South Pacific Mark Jacobs said all of the supplies were being sent in contactless fashion.

“The response seems to be going well and it seems to be Tongan government lead. It’s been very active and well co-ordinated. Things like water supplies, food and communication supplies all sorts of things like that.. the supplies to be handed over in a way that doesn’t expose people to Covid,” he said.

Jacobs said there was not currently a need to send additional people to Tonga.

UK, China and Japan all helping out

A British naval ship, the HMS Spey, has arrived in Tonga where her crew have unloaded disaster relief.

The vessel delivered 30,000 litres of bottled water, medical supplies for over 300 first aid kits, PPE, and basic sanitation and baby products.

The aid is being collected at a logistics hub as part of international aid efforts.

The supplies are then coordinated and will be moved to the most affected islands.

Digicel Tonga’s technical team working on satellite link equipment to restore internet connection
Digicel Tonga’s technical team working on satellite link equipment to restore internet connection Photo: Digicel Tonga

The UK government said HMS Spey would continue to work closely with the New Zealand and Australian navies to coordinate relief efforts with the Tongan authorities and the British High Commission.

HMS Spey has returned to sea but remains in the waters of Tonga, ready to help where needed.

China has announced additional support for Tonga.

The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand said the assistance included relief supplies of drinking water, food, generators, water pumps and chainsaws, which were being shipped to Tonga today.

A spokesperson also said it would provide money for Tonga.

Pacific Islands Forum secretary general Henry Puna said member nations were standing by to support Tonga in whatever way they can.

Japan’s first batch of emergency relief assistance has been received by the Kingdom.

Japan has provided $US1 million to Tonga through international agencies for the recent disaster of the volcano eruption.

Meanwhile, a plane carrying water and supplies landed last week and vessels carrying water tanks arrive in two weeks time.

Embassy of Japan ambassador in New Zealand Ito Koichi said it was important Tonga was supported, and Japan was ready to provide further help.

“When the Japanese aeroplane arrived at the airport (the) Tongan Prime Minister was so glad. He sent a message to the Japanese people – a friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Puna announced a Blue Pacific fundraising Campaign for Tonga which was open to all forum member countries, various agencies and development partners and will run until 25 February.

Puna said he understood Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, his government and the people of Tonga were still coming to grips with the extent of the disaster, but he wanted to reassure them the forum was ready to help.

“We are family, we’re here ready and eager to help and please anything we can do let us know we are more than prepared to step in and help.”

Touching tributes flow in for Tongan mother shot dead in Salt Lake City

By
Kaniva Staff
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The family, relatives  and friends have paid tribute to the Tongan mother who was shot dead yesterday in Salt Lake City, USA.

Anetupou Niualiku. Photo/Supplied

Many have just heard the news about 50-year-old Anetupou Niualiku’s deaths via social media.

Niualiku was shot and killed near 130 South and 800 West about 9.20 am Sunday.

Police received a 911 call notifying officers of a possible shooting. Niuakliku died at the scene, despite life-saving efforts.

Salt Lake police have not released any other information about the case, only saying that “through the preliminary investigation, it appears this is an isolated incident.”

No arrests have been made and no suspect information has been released.

“This literally breaks my heart to hear of your passing Fehi (Another name of Anetupou)”, a writer wrote on Anetupou’s Facebook account.

“You were a light that shined so bright with your contagious laugh that was heard, your beautiful smile that was seen and your fun, genuine, loving, energetic presence that was felt everytime I saw you and never forgot, no matter how much time had passed.

“I love love love you sooooo much! my dear sweet sister Fehi.

“This really hurts.

“May your sweet children, family and close friends find some comfort and peace. Knowing they will see you again and that you will be always watching over them.

Until we meet again sister.”

Another commenter wrote: “Rest in loving peace my beautiful aunty Fehi (Another name of Anetupou). Unbelievable and shocking that you  have left us too early”.

“May Your soul rest peacefully in God’s hands🙏❤ pray they find your killer”, one wrote.

“RIL what a tragic loss for her loved ones!! Much condolence”, another wrote.

“RIP Fehi, I wish it was just a dream. Love your face”.

“Oh my gosh! I hope I am correct in remembering her as daughter of Tali and Lilio Tuitavake. (rip) Fehi much love to your face”.

“RIL what a tragic loss for her loved ones!! Much condolences”.

Volunteers put heart and soul into loading aid containers for Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

The Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee is grateful to volunteers who have put their heart into a community aid effort.

No caption
Photo: Supplied / Pakilau Manase Lua

Tonga faces a long road to recovery, with most of the population affected by the violent eruption and tsunami that followed, and many areas still scrambling to restore basic necessities.

Executive member Pakilau Manase Lua said loading the containers has been excruciating work.

While the gates have been closed to the public volunteers have been packing the containers.

“It’s been a huge effort for our volunteers. As you can appreciate the average weight of these fully packed drums is probably between 120kg and 150kg, but we do it out of love, many of the guys have taken time off work,” Pakilau Manase Lua said.

No caption
Photo: Supplied / Pakilau Manase Lua

Mt Smart Stadium will be closed to dropoffs again tomorrow, but it is expected to be open again on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in preparation for another shipment.

Those bringing items for their family in Tonga should drive to the O’Rorke Road entrance and the general public can drop off goods at Maurice Road.

Pakilau Manase Lua encourages people to bring their own drums full of water and non-perishable foods, but if people do not have one, he says a plastic wheelie bin will do the trick.

“If you don’t have your own, don’t steal your neighbours,” he said.

There are calls for patience from community leaders with heightened anxiety, frustration and disappointment over the initiative being closed to the public for the past two days.

Pakilau Manase Lua knows it has been tough on many but said, “there is a limited amount of volunteers here, the volunteers are working hard, we don’t want to get them injured, we want to keep them safe. To be fair, these people are volunteers, so we are doing our best to clear the decks and to open again.”

No caption
Photo: Supplied / Pakilau Manase Lua

This shipment of 25 containers is expected to leave Auckland on a Matson vessel on Wednesday night and arrive in Tonga on Saturday.

“Just standard container hire trucks with arms that swing onto the trucks, they are just 20 foot containers so they are not the big 40 foot [containers] so they are easier to handle particularly when landing in Tonga as well. Obviously things depend on the weather, but we can only hope that these containers will reach Tonga by the weekend,” he said.

It has been a massive logistical effort with Sir Michael Jones and Matson Shipping providing 21 containers so far and four donated by Swire Shipping.

When Sir Michael saw the rows of containers packed with drums at Mt Smart he said to the volunteers, “I know this is a Kolo Tonga site uso’s (brothers) but it also feels like Hopetown.”

Tangata whenua have blessed the containers ahead of their departure.

No caption
Photo: Supplied / Pakilau Manase Lua

Covid-19 update: 45 new community cases, 34 Omicron cases added to total

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

There are 45 new community cases of Covid-19 today, with the number of Omicron cases in the community rising to 90.

coronavirus concept. Generic respiratory virus, concept of infection and prevention, health. 3d render.

File image. Photo: 123RF

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 34 new Omicron cases.

The ministry said there were active cases being treated as Omicron in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Palmerston North, and Nelson-Tasman.

It said many of the new cases have previously been reported and linked retrospectively, so were not included in today’s report of new community cases.

“The number of cases and contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron and as we learn more from case interviews.”

The ministry also confirmed that one of the five cases who tested positive in Auckland after going to the Soundsplash music festival in Hamilton over the weekend is the Omicron variant.

The ministry said there were five people in hospital, with one in intensive care.

Today’s new community cases were in Auckland (22), Waikato (2), Bay of Plenty (3), Rotorua (7), Taranaki (1), Hawke’s Bay (8) and Nelson Marlborough (2).

At least one of the Auckland cases cases is linked to known or suspected Omicron cases, and the others remain under investigation.

One of the three new cases in the Bay of Plenty today is part of a Tauranga household with two other cases, which have been linked to the January Omicron cluster.

Three new cases in the area are linked to an exposure event at the early childhood centre BestStart Pyes Pa on 19 January and are being treated as Omicron. They will be included officially in tomorrow’s numbers.

A second case of Covid-19 in Taranaki has also been linked to the January Omicron cluster. The case is a household contact of the case reported yesterday and is in isolation.

Two cases in Nelson Marlborough are part of a household which has been epidemiologically linked to the January Omicron cluster.

Six of the seven new cases in Rotorua are household contacts of previous cases and all of the eight new cases in Hawke’s Bay are linked to the Hastings Delta cluster.

One case in Tairāwhiti, which will be added to the total tomorrow, is believed to have become infected during travel outside of the region.

There were also 51 new cases reported at the border today, with cases arriving from USA, UAE, UK, India, Austria, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Australia, Pakistan, Brazil, Turkey, Dominica, Spain and Serbia.

Yesterday, there were 23 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand, with the total number of Omicron cases reported in the community at 56.

There have now been 11,601 cases in the current outbreak and 15,466 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand since the pandemic began.

The ministry said Canterbury is the third DHB to fully vaccinate more than 90 percent of eligible Māori, and that more than four million first doses of a Covid-19 vaccine have now been administered to New Zealand’s 12+ population across the country.

There were 13,995 paediatric doses given yesterday. With a total of 124,155 doses, 26 percent of the 5 to 11 age group have now received a vaccine dose, with another 25,596 booked in for a first dose.

There were 50,946 boosters administered yesterday, bringing the total to 1,163,046.

Meanwhile, new modelling from an overseas health research organisation shows New Zealand could be facing 50,000 daily Omicron infections by Waitangi weekend, peaking at about 80,000 each day just a few weeks later.

And doctors are warning they will not be able to help all of their patients when there are thousands of daily Omicron infections.

Covid-19: 23 new community cases reported in NZ, number of Omicron cases reaches 56

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

There have been 23 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with the total number of Omicron cases reported in the community now at 56.

Microscopic close-up of the covid-19 disease. Blue Coronavirus illness spreading in body cell. 2019-nCoV analysis on microscope level 3D rendering
File image. Photo: 123RF

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were also 36 new cases at the border

There are six people in hospital with the coronavirus in New Zealand.

Today’s new community cases are in Northland (one), Auckland (12), Waikato (three), Rotorua (five), Capital and Coast (one), Nelson Marlborough (one).

The ministry said there had now been 56 community cases confirmed as Omicron through whole genome sequencing, or were suspected Omicron.

That included 44 cases linked to a family event and other associated events in Auckland on the weekend of 15 and 16 January. The 15 new cases being reported today are in Auckland, Taranaki, and Nelson Marlborough.

The number of cases linked to the three border workers reported earlier this month has doubled from six to 12.

There are now eight cases associated with the MIQ border worker first reported on 16 January, and three associated with the Auckland airport worker first reported on 21 January.

A Covid-19 case in Taranaki has also been linked to the January Omicron cluster and will be included in the case count tomorrow.

The ministry said the case was on the same flight as the air steward that was part of this cluster and they had been isolating since being identified as a close contact.

All close contacts identified so far were in isolation and being tested for Covid-19.

One of the three new cases in the Nelson Tasman region is part of a household that has also been linked to the January Omicron cluster. The other two were detected this morning and were under investigation. They were being treated as suspected Omicron.

The number of cases and contacts was expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron, the ministry said.

Today’s new cases at the border came from UAE, USA, Australia, India, UK, Colombia, Qatar, Iran, Scotland, Pakistan, Fiji, Austria, Sri Lanka, Canada and Brazil.

Yesterday there were 25 new cases of Covid-19 in the community including 10 confirmed Omicron cases.

There have now been 11,564 cases in the current community outbreak and a total of 15,369 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand since the pandemic began.

The ministry said Auckland has become the second DHB to fully vaccinate 90 percent of Māori within their rohe, while South Canterbury has become the ninth DHB area to vaccinate 90 percent of Māori with a first dose.

There were 15,102 paediatric doses given yesterday, bringing the total to 110,123, along with 56,899 booster doses.

Mango survivors mourn dead tsunami victim while awaiting rescuers

By
Kaniva Staff
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Survivors and relatives of one of the deceased after Tonga’s fatal tsunami lamented the body of the man who died in the island of Mango.

All houses on the island were wiped out by the deadly waves of up to 15 metres high.

At least three people have died following the massive volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami wave.

One of them was Telai Tutuila, 65, of Mango.

Tutu’ila’s funeral service was captured on video which is believed to have been taken shortly after the tsunami.

It shows what appeared to be the deceased’s body covered with Tongan mats and blankets while mourners were heard crying and standing around it.

The video was uploaded to Facebook by Mango resident Piokalafi Faka’osi who goes by the Facebook name Piokalafi Fakaoc on Monday.

It has been viewed more than 20,000 times. It received about 700 reactions and 70 shares on Faka’osi’ Facebook account.

Another post showed Tutu’ila’s cemetery with farewell messages including one which a survivor asked him to look after the island while they were being away.

All Mango survivors had been evacuated to Tongatapu this week.

Tongan woman shot dead in the US, Police investigation underway

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police in Salt Lake City are investigating the shooting death of a Tongan woman on Sunday morning.

According to police, the incident happened at 130 South 800 West at 9.22am, KSL FM reported. 

The police found 50-year-old Anetupou Niualiku’s body was found with a gunshot wound.

First responders performed live-saving procedures on the victim, but she died at the scene.

Officers searched the area for a suspect, any other victims and secured the crime scene.

Through the preliminary investigation, police said this appeared to be an isolated incident. And there is no danger to the public.

The investigation into the shooting death is ongoing. Anyone with information should call 801-799-3000.

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