More Cases
“We are absolutely expecting more cases,” announced New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern during her 1:00PM media conference on Wednesday 18 August 2021.
Ministry of Health officials anticipate the number of people infected with the Delta variant of Covid to reach 120.
Director General or Health, Ashley Bloomfield advised today that two further cases had been identified, brining the total to seven cases in the community. The majority of the cases are of people in their 20’s. One cases is a teacher from Avondale College in Auckland.
“All staff and students of the college are now considered close contacts and must stay in self-isolation at home for 14 days. Even if New Zealand’s national alert level changes from the current Level 4, you must still complete your full, 14-day self-isolation,” said Bloomfield.
Bloomfield further advised that genome sequencing confirmed that the outbreak is the new Delta variant and it was from New South Wales in Australia.
“We’re expecting more [cases] especially the age group and demographics,” Ardern said. Those infected include people who might have visited crowded bars and other “high risk sites”.
Masks to Become Mandatory
From 11:50PM Wednesday, 18 August, it will be mandatory for masks to be worn by anyone aged over 12 when visiting shops, petrol stations, pharmacies and other essential services. Staff in these places will also be required to wear a mask.
Mask wearing is mandatory for bus terminals and in taxis as well.
Police can issue infringements to those who are not wearing a mask under new alert Level 4 rules.
Whilst theoretically possible police can arrest people who do not comply, however this is considered to be a last resort option.
Vaccine Sites to Reopen
Limited vaccination sites will reopen later today, with all site being open from 8:00AM Thursday 19 August.
“If your booking has been moved, you will be notified. Otherwise if you’re booked for a vaccine in the next three days and you haven’t heard anything, please go,” the Prime Minister said.
Those aged 40 or over can make online bookings for vaccines from today.
If you’ve had the vaccine you are less “much less likely to get sick or die” from Covid-19, Ardern said. But she said a few still get infected.
