Latest fromLakes DHB
!['I've felt like I'm the virus': Barber refuses to pay $48k in mandate fines](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'I've felt like I'm the virus': Barber refuses to pay $48k in mandate fines
His defiant stand comes as major Covid mandate changes are announced.
![Urgent jab plea for children, pregnant women due to hospitalisations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Urgent jab plea for children, pregnant women due to hospitalisations
And a Rotorua doctor with Covid warns people 'not to underestimate it'.
![DHB board member roles scrapped three months before term ends](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
DHB board member roles scrapped three months before term ends
Time is ticking for DHB board members who won't be needed come July 1.
![Midwife shortage: Union fears Omicron may add to staffing struggle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Midwife shortage: Union fears Omicron may add to staffing struggle
Five women moved out after a hospital left with one duty midwife, backed by a team
![Deprivation and anti-institution leads to low immunisation rates](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Deprivation and anti-institution leads to low immunisation rates
Te Arawa drive-through could be an vaccine hub not just for Covid-19, says a local GP.
![Big Boost weekend! Record 446 new community cases; 10 million vaccine jabs milestone](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Big Boost weekend! Record 446 new community cases; 10 million vaccine jabs milestone
Yesterday there was a record number of casess.
!['Thoroughly cook mussels': Warning after spike in illness relating to food prep](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Thoroughly cook mussels': Warning after spike in illness relating to food prep
Three cases have been reported in the Lakes District Health Board region this summer.
![Revealed: The vaccination status of our cases and hospitalisations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Revealed: The vaccination status of our cases and hospitalisations
There have been 126 Covid cases in the Lakes DHB between November 12 and January 17.
![Covid community cases remain low, as vaccines do their work](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Covid community cases remain low, as vaccines do their work
Some new cases are of concern - including one in a large resthome, another an MIQ worker.
!['Just ludicrous': Closure of vaccination, Māori response centres slammed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Just ludicrous': Closure of vaccination, Māori response centres slammed
This region is lagging behind vaccination rates, so why are the main vax centres closed?
![Covid 'not taking a holiday': Warning for summer hotspots](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Covid 'not taking a holiday': Warning for summer hotspots
'Covid doesn't know it's Christmas or New Year', says ice cream shop manager.
![Boozed-up and banged-up: ACC pays out millions for alcohol-related injuries](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Boozed-up and banged-up: ACC pays out millions for alcohol-related injuries
Fights, falling over and broken glass contributed to millions in ACC injury claims.
!['We just need to keep testing': Results delayed after test surge call for more as Covid spreads](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'We just need to keep testing': Results delayed after test surge call for more as Covid spreads
There were no new cases in the Lakes yesterday but there is still a delay for virus tests.
![Local Focus: Big surge in Māori vaccinations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Local Focus: Big surge in Māori vaccinations
A Covid case encouraged more people to get the jab.
![More than 1300 unvaccinated DHB staff stood down](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
More than 1300 unvaccinated DHB staff stood down
How many staff have been stood down at your DHB?
!['Fear, anxiety, worry': Why teacher would rather quit job he 'loves' than get the jab](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Fear, anxiety, worry': Why teacher would rather quit job he 'loves' than get the jab
Other unvaccinated people in the district have taken leave without pay.
![Watch: MP ordered to leave Parliament after quizzing Health Minister](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Watch: MP ordered to leave Parliament after quizzing Health Minister
The Rotorua MP asked Health Minister Andrew Little about ICU beds in the Lakes DHB.
!['A disaster waiting to happen': Four ICU beds for population of 116,000](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'A disaster waiting to happen': Four ICU beds for population of 116,000
DHB chief describes the situation as 'very concerning'.
![Covid 'washing over the entire country': Tauranga could have cases this week, DHB says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Covid 'washing over the entire country': Tauranga could have cases this week, DHB says
The health board chief is warning people Covid-19 could be in Tauranga this week.
![Twelve police staff came into contact with Rotorua Covid cases](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Twelve police staff came into contact with Rotorua Covid cases
The staff are all self-isolating and have been tested.
![Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Opening the flood gates on Māori](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Opening the flood gates on Māori
No one wants Māori exposed to the full frontal assault of Covid-19.