Wednesday's Covid-19 update: 30 new cases in Auckland, 9 in Waikato; Covid patient dies at Middlemore; U-turn on gap between vaccine doses

The Ministry of Health is reporting 39 new Covid cases and a death from Covid - of a patient at Middlemore Hospital.

The Ministry said further details will be available later on Wednesday after discussions with their family.

Of the latest cases 30 are in Auckland and nine in Waikato. Just one case is unlinked. Four cases from Tuesday, when there were 24 cases in total, remain unlinked.

The Ministry has done a u-turn on the recommended gap between vaccine doses, lowering it back to three weeks again, having previously raised it from three to six weeks.

Separately the Government's planning a vaccine National Day of Action on Saturday, October 16 as it strives to get vaccination rates higher. A media statement from Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is at the bottom of this article.

Of the 24 cases on Tuesday, 19 of those cases were infectious in the community.

There are 32 people in hospital. Seven of these are in ICU.

Later on Wednesday the Ministry released these further details on the death:

The Ministry is providing further details of the death reported earlier today in Middlemore hospital linked to COVID-19.

The man in his 50s had underlying health conditions and was a confirmed case of COVID-19.

The patient spent a total of 40 days in ICU.

He was admitted to Middlemore hospital on 27 August from home.

His family is being supported by their church and community.

‘Our thoughts are with his whānau at this deeply sad time’, says Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay.

This is the detailed update from the Ministry of Health:

New cases identified at the border

Death at Middlemore

The Ministry of Health is sadly reporting the death of a patient at Middlemore Hospital. Further details will be available later today after discussions with their family. The Ministry would like to recognise the family’s loss and offer our deepest sympathies.

Waikato ED exposure

A patient who visited the Emergency Department at Waikato Hospital last Friday night has now tested positive for COVID-19.

The asymptomatic patient was screened when they entered ED by staff who were following Alert Level 2 Infection, Prevention and Control protocols.

In a cautious approach the DHB has temporarily stood down a number of ED staff who are self-isolating.

Results from rapid PCR tests are expected today.

Waikato testing

There are five pop up testing sites operating in Hamilton, Raglan, Huntly and Tokoroa, with all five being open for extended hours to cater to any lift in demand.

An existing site at Founders Theatre car park in Hamilton remains open.

The DHB is working to establish a sixth pop up testing site, at Karapiro, following the positive case there. An existing testing provider in Kawhia has been expanded. More details on exact locations and hours are available on the Healthpoint and Waikato DHB sites.

Demand for testing has been steady and there are good supplies of testing kits and staffing capacity.

Vaccine – gap between doses

In response to the ongoing Delta outbreak the Ministry of Health is advising New Zealanders to consider a shorter gap between doses of the Pfizer vaccine than the current standard of six weeks.

Reducing the gap between doses to at least three weeks means more people can be fully vaccinated sooner, increasing our community immunity. The two doses of the Pfizer vaccine must be given at least three weeks apart.

In August the standard gap between first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine was extended from three weeks to six weeks to allow us to give one dose (partial protection) to a larger number of people faster.

Since that time the Delta outbreak has increased the risk of contracting COVID-19 for everyone in New Zealand and increased the urgency for people to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Auckland suburbs of interest

People without symptoms are asked to get tested if they live in any of the eight suburbs of interest.

The current suburbs of interest are:  

·        Clover Park

·        Mângere  

·        Favona  

·        Manurewa

·        Mount Wellington/Sylvia Park

·        Henderson

·        Papakura

·        Red Beach

*Today’s cases

Includes one previously reported Waikato case that has been reclassified from recovered to active. The recently reported Upper Hauraki case is now included in the Auckland figures. There is one further case in a border worker that is yet to be classified as community or border related.

**Historical cases

One previously reported case has been reclassified as historical

***Wastewater testing

Samples taken from Taupo and Putaruru on Monday 6 October in the Waikato region did not detect COVID-19.

Several other samples have been taken from throughout New Zealand. These include those collected from Te Kauwhata, Raglan, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Feilding, Hunterville, Hamilton and Palmerston North. Results are expected tomorrow.

This is the statement from Hipkins:

With over half the eligible population now fully vaccinated and more than 80% with at least one dose, we’ve all got to do our bit reach the remaining 20%, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says

“We’ve got a plan and to make it work we’re asking everyone to contribute to a big, nationwide push for vaccination. This will culminate in a National Day of Action for vaccination on Saturday 16 October,” Chris Hipkins said.

“On that day, we will have vaccine clinics open throughout Aotearoa all day and into the evening. A bit like Election Day, we will be asking all our political and civic leaders to contribute to a big collective effort to turn people out.”

As of today half of the eligible population in New Zealand has been fully vaccinated. We’ve seen 85% of Aucklanders and over 80% of New Zealanders have at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

“We all have a role to play in getting our vaccination rates up,” Chris Hipkins said.

“Our message to the 80% of the eligible population who have had their first dose is this: your job is not done. Please get your second dose, and help us reach those who have not yet come forward to be vaccinated.

“We need you to be talking to them about the reasons you’ve been vaccinated, we need you to make sure they are getting reliable, honest information about the vaccine. And we need you to help us to get the unvaccinated vaccinated.

“We are asking our business community, our media, and our community groups to play a role too. Those that want to offer incentives to the unvaccinated to get them in the door are encouraged to do so.

“We want parents and grandparents to encourage young New Zealanders to take up the opportunity to be vaccinated. We also want young people to check in with any older family members who aren’t yet vaccinated, show them where they can find reliable and accurate information online, and help the whole whānau to be protected.

“We must leave no stone unturned. No one should be left behind because they haven’t had the support they need to make an informed choice to be vaccinated.”

There are currently 350,000 appointments available next week on https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/. That doesn’t include general practice, where more than 20% of people are getting their vaccines. Work is being done with District Health Boards now to increase capacity even further.

“Our response as a collective nation to the challenges posed by COVID-19 has been world-leading. Now we need a world-leading uptake of vaccination,” Chris Hipkins said.

“The next week and a half is critical. We need to pull out all the stops to increase our vaccination rates. It has never been more urgent.”