Clinical immunologist Dr Anthony Jordan gives advice on how to stay Covid-safe this summer, while also enjoying the holidays after a 'rough three years'. Video / NZ Herald
Daily Covid-19 cases have more than doubled in the Te Whatu Ora Lakes district over the past six weeks.
The Ministry of Health’s latest Covid-19 case update reported there were 72 new Covid-19 cases in Te Whatu Ora Lakes on December 18.
On November 5 there were 31. And on December 5, when 161 people reported they had the virus, the district recorded its highest number of new cases since July 27.
The district’s seven-day average of case numbers has also doubled in the past month, from 56 on November 18 to 115 on December 19.
Nationally, the Ministry of Health has reported 42,740 new cases in the community over the past seven days, making it the worst week of infections in this third wave of the Omicron outbreak.
Covid Modelling Aotearoa project lead and University of Auckland senior lecturer, Dion O’Neale, said the number of Covid-19 cases were likely to “flatten” this week.
“Almost certainly what is going on [is that] there will be a drop in case reporting. We see it every holiday and every week.”
O’Neale said the difference between case reporting on an average Saturday compared to an average Monday could be as high as roughly 60 per cent.
Modellers also saw regular drops in the reporting of Covid-19 cases around school and public holidays, despite infections still “going off” in the background.
“We are probably at the week where those true infection numbers are peaking.”
O’Neale said it took three or four weeks for the current wave of infections to reach this point, and it would take about the same amount of time for the infections to go back down.
He encouraged everyone to report the results of their Covid-19 tests, even if they were on holiday.
“We need to know what is going on, as that knowledge triggers a bunch of processes for extra support.”
Covid Modelling Aotearoa project lead and University of Auckland senior lecturer Dion O’Neale.
Toi Te Ora Public Health medical officer of health Dr Phil Shoemack said it was important fo people to report the results of their rapid antigen tests (RATs) to enable health professionals to monitor the pattern of infection.
“For various reasons, not everyone who tests positive will report their RAT test result,” Shoemack told the Rotorua Daily Post.
“Furthermore, some people who become unwell with Covid-19 may not recognise that their symptoms are related to Covid-19 infection, and therefore they may not do a RAT test.
“However, the wastewater testing done by ESR [The Institute of Environmental Science and Research] confirms that the pattern of infection around the country closely mirrors the reported case numbers.”
Shoemack said hospitals now had “lots of experience” treating people with experience with the virus.
“However, we need to do all we can to help prevent people from getting sick and needing hospitalisation.”
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand interim national medical director Dr Pete Watson said he urged everyone to take sensible precautions to protect themselves, their friends and whānau from Covid-19 as case numbers rise ahead of the holiday season.
“Over summer, large numbers of people will be travelling for trips or seasonal work. There are more social gatherings and large events, such as festivals, and many of our health care workers will be taking well-deserved leave,” Watson said.
“We need to continue our good health behaviours to ensure we can not only protect ourselves and each other, but help reduce pressure on health providers, urgent care clinics and hospital emergency departments.”
Watson said if anyone who tested positive while away from home could drive back if well enough.
“But only if you can travel via a private or work vehicle with only your immediate family or household members. If that isn’t possible for whatever reason, you need to be able to isolate where you are, or find somewhere else to isolate.”
Watson said people who contract Covid-19 on holiday should consider antiviral medication, which is free for those who are eligible.
“Antiviral medicines can help you if you’re at risk of becoming very sick with Covid-19. They reduce the amount of virus in your body, so you don’t get as sick and you’re less likely to go to hospital.”
How to protect your holiday against Covid-19 this summer
Take steps to protect yourself and your whānau from Covid-19 by:
Getting vaccinated, and also getting the booster dose as soon as you are eligible. We know this is important in reducing transmission and severe infection.
Wearing a face mask in certain healthcare facilities, such as hospitals.
