Read on Twitter
#Covid19NZ media conference at 4pm.
It's Hipkins and Bloomfield giving it, which means it is NOT a level change.
I'll summarise live, for those who can't listen for whatever reason.
It's Hipkins and Bloomfield giving it, which means it is NOT a level change.
I'll summarise live, for those who can't listen for whatever reason.
For those who haven't caught up, there is a community case of Covid-19 that's been found in Northland.
The person in question has returned from overseas and been through MIQ, returned negative tests right though, and has developed symptoms after leaving.
See y'all at 4.
The person in question has returned from overseas and been through MIQ, returned negative tests right though, and has developed symptoms after leaving.
See y'all at 4.
Standing by to stand by - the camera is tucked into a rear right position and there's no technician doing audio or camera checks today, so it's a pretty chill vibe on the stream.
There's maybe half a dozen voices in the room.
Just waiting for the team to take the stage.
There's maybe half a dozen voices in the room.
Just waiting for the team to take the stage.
Today, Sunday the 24th of January 2021.
This morning there was a positive case reported in the community, of a person who has finished their time in MIQ.
She was at the Pullman in Auckland.
The genome sequencing is not done, so please don't speculate on what strain it is.
This morning there was a positive case reported in the community, of a person who has finished their time in MIQ.
She was at the Pullman in Auckland.
The genome sequencing is not done, so please don't speculate on what strain it is.
Currently there is not enough information to make a decision about changes in alert levels of protocol.
Until we get a clear picture, NZ's are being asked to follow our key public health measures.
A reminder:
Until we get a clear picture, NZ's are being asked to follow our key public health measures.
A reminder:
If you are unwell, get a test. Isolate until you get your results.
Don't go to work if you're sick.
Turn your COVID tracer bluetooth tracker on.
Scan in.
Even if you have bluetooth on, keep scanning in.
Wash your hands.
Don't go to work if you're sick.
Turn your COVID tracer bluetooth tracker on.
Scan in.
Even if you have bluetooth on, keep scanning in.
Wash your hands.
Dr Bloomfield has taken the mic.
MoH is investigating the positive test result.
The person had some adventures with family over the end of last year and came home at the start of this year.
She have returned 2 negative tests.
& left iso on the 13th of Jan & returned home.
MoH is investigating the positive test result.
The person had some adventures with family over the end of last year and came home at the start of this year.
She have returned 2 negative tests.
& left iso on the 13th of Jan & returned home.
She started showing mild symptoms on the 15th, and got tested once they developed to be safe.
The test came back late last night as positive.
Indications are that it's a fresh case rather than historic. Further testing is being done to confirm.
The test came back late last night as positive.
Indications are that it's a fresh case rather than historic. Further testing is being done to confirm.
They have been super diligent at scanning in, & also had the bluetooth functionality on.
Push notifications will be distributed.
There will be a list of locations published as they are identified.
Locations of interest are currently centred around Northland & lower Northland
Push notifications will be distributed.
There will be a list of locations published as they are identified.
Locations of interest are currently centred around Northland & lower Northland
Additional testing centres are going to be stood up around Northland, a list of these will also be posted.
Please do call Healthline before you go to visit.
Please do call Healthline before you go to visit.
Hipkins.
There are about 600 people associated with Pullman who now need to be tested, or retested.
If you think this is you, please go home and stay home. Call Healthline. Then get a test.
There are about 600 people associated with Pullman who now need to be tested, or retested.
If you think this is you, please go home and stay home. Call Healthline. Then get a test.
Q&A time.
It's going to be pretty chill, there's like 4 people in the room.
It's going to be pretty chill, there's like 4 people in the room.
Q: Why weren't people told earlier today if you knew since this morning?
A: We got a notice out to the media as soon as we could, but we needed more information before we moved into media conferences. The interview was completed late this morning, & now we're actioning things.
A: We got a notice out to the media as soon as we could, but we needed more information before we moved into media conferences. The interview was completed late this morning, & now we're actioning things.
Q: Is the assumption that it was contacted at MIQ? Or is there a longer incubation period with these newer strains?
A: We are looking at all of this but, considering the length of time, it's unlikely to be this long an incubation period.
A: We are looking at all of this but, considering the length of time, it's unlikely to be this long an incubation period.
Q: Were there people who tested positive at the Pullman while she was staying there?
A: Yes, there were about 13 people who tested positive. All acute infections will have a complete genome sequence, and when hers is identified they can be easily compared.
A: Yes, there were about 13 people who tested positive. All acute infections will have a complete genome sequence, and when hers is identified they can be easily compared.
Q: What are our testing rates? & how are we dealing with surge capacity?
A: Our testing rates are 3-4 thousand a day.
We need to target our testing, we're interested in our surge testing targeting the correct people.
But we do have surge capacity for it.
A: Our testing rates are 3-4 thousand a day.
We need to target our testing, we're interested in our surge testing targeting the correct people.
But we do have surge capacity for it.
Q: What's going to come first - vaccines arriving or vaccine approval?
A: It's most likely that vaccine approval will come first, then the vaccine will arrive. The vaccines will initially be targeted towards the high risk folk, such as our frontline workers.
A: It's most likely that vaccine approval will come first, then the vaccine will arrive. The vaccines will initially be targeted towards the high risk folk, such as our frontline workers.
Q: Have the people on her flight been contacted?
A: The airlines are informed as soon as we find cases, as it also affects the airline staff & people who don't necessarily end up in NZ.
A: The airlines are informed as soon as we find cases, as it also affects the airline staff & people who don't necessarily end up in NZ.
Q: It sounds like she moved around a lot, what are her contacts and what are we expecting to see?
A: Her close contacts are family, a couple of staff members. The casual contacts are cafes, restaurants, air bnb's, and some shopping places.
There's 30 odd places of note.
A: Her close contacts are family, a couple of staff members. The casual contacts are cafes, restaurants, air bnb's, and some shopping places.
There's 30 odd places of note.
(one of the reporters is quite salty that the places of interest information exists? That it's going up as the business owners are contacted? That it's not going up in one chunk?
They've contradicted themselves in their subsequent questions a couple of times)
They've contradicted themselves in their subsequent questions a couple of times)
Q: Mangawhai is a big holiday spot, are you concerned about wide transmission? Did they attend mass gatherings like concerts?
A: No, they didn't attend any concerts or mass gatherings.
The point of their adventure was to spend quality time together as a couple after 4mo apart
A: No, they didn't attend any concerts or mass gatherings.
The point of their adventure was to spend quality time together as a couple after 4mo apart
Q: Are you looking to reduce intake to say 1,000 a week like what they've done in some parts of Auz?
A: We have about 4,500 rooms available, the amount of people depends on who's coming through. Couples can share, singles can't.
We're doing our best to manage them fairly
A: We have about 4,500 rooms available, the amount of people depends on who's coming through. Couples can share, singles can't.
We're doing our best to manage them fairly
Q: With this more contagious variants, are we speeding up our vaccine program?
A: Vaccine supply will likely be our biggest restriction for our vaccine program, as we've seen overseas.
I'm not going to stand here and promise a faster roll out if I can't guarantee it.
A: Vaccine supply will likely be our biggest restriction for our vaccine program, as we've seen overseas.
I'm not going to stand here and promise a faster roll out if I can't guarantee it.
Q: What is the scanning data like in Northland?
A: We can't currently do that sort of regional breakdown, although I'll see if that's been implemented.
There is okay levels of testing being done in Northland though.
A: We can't currently do that sort of regional breakdown, although I'll see if that's been implemented.
There is okay levels of testing being done in Northland though.
Q: Are you looking to extend isolation stays, or to get people to continue isolating at home after being released?
A: Currently no, our border control is still being looked upon as the gold standard. We have the 2 weeks in MIQ, and a follow up call 5 days later.
A: Currently no, our border control is still being looked upon as the gold standard. We have the 2 weeks in MIQ, and a follow up call 5 days later.
That's the end of today's #Covid19NZ media conference.
Summary:
- 1 case found in the community, likely linked to travel or MIQ.
- 30 places of interest thus far
- 4 close contacts identified
Scan in. Wash your hands. Don't speculate.
Don't panic.
Fucking scan in
/end
Summary:
- 1 case found in the community, likely linked to travel or MIQ.
- 30 places of interest thus far
- 4 close contacts identified
Scan in. Wash your hands. Don't speculate.
Don't panic.
Fucking scan in
/end
For those new to my timeline - I'll chuck everything related to this community case, and associated actions into this thread to try make it a bit easier to keep track of.
This will include links, stand up summaries, articles, and sporadic sass.
This will include links, stand up summaries, articles, and sporadic sass.
Places of interest from the case found in the community today are starting to be posted on the MoH website.
First up is the Bendon Outlet store in Whangarei.
If you were there on the 15th of Jan, you need to stay home, call Healthline, get a test https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/contact-tracing-covid-19/covid-19-contact-tracing-locations-interest
First up is the Bendon Outlet store in Whangarei.
If you were there on the 15th of Jan, you need to stay home, call Healthline, get a test https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/contact-tracing-covid-19/covid-19-contact-tracing-locations-interest
Full location list is up!
If you've been in Ruakaka, Whangarei, Parua Bay, Mangawhai Heads, Helensville areas
between the 14th & 22nd of Jan, please double check the locations of interest.
The additional community testing stations can be found here:
https://www.northlanddhb.org.nz/home/covid-19/covid-19-northland-hub/#testcentres
If you've been in Ruakaka, Whangarei, Parua Bay, Mangawhai Heads, Helensville areas
between the 14th & 22nd of Jan, please double check the locations of interest.
The additional community testing stations can be found here:
https://www.northlanddhb.org.nz/home/covid-19/covid-19-northland-hub/#testcentres
It's 1pm!
I've seen a technician wander the stage to check the mics.
There's a small cluster of reporters in shot.
Standing by to stand by.
If you want to watch, here's the link!
I've seen a technician wander the stage to check the mics.
There's a small cluster of reporters in shot.
Standing by to stand by.
If you want to watch, here's the link!
Technician missed the first audio pick up.
3/10, please try harder <3
3/10, please try harder <3
Today, Monday the 25th of January, the case from yesterday has been confirmed.
Her husband & hairdresser have both returned negative tests.
The strain of infection is the South African variant.
It's likely to be an infection from another returnee from within the Pullman.
Her husband & hairdresser have both returned negative tests.
The strain of infection is the South African variant.
It's likely to be an infection from another returnee from within the Pullman.
The confirmed case and the likely source of the infection were staying in close proximity in the Pullman.
MoH are currently going through CCTV and continuing with the interview process to figure out where transmission could have occurred.
MoH are currently going through CCTV and continuing with the interview process to figure out where transmission could have occurred.
The decision has been made for people who are currently staying in the Pullman to receive an additional test, and to stay on a little longer.
Further information on that will be released this afternoon.
People who have recently left have been asked to isolate & get a test.
Further information on that will be released this afternoon.
People who have recently left have been asked to isolate & get a test.
An investigation is being carried out urgently as part of scoping out how the infection may have occurred.
This is over and above the monthly reviews that are undertaken.
This is over and above the monthly reviews that are undertaken.
Handed over to Bloomfield.
This case is being called The January Northland Case.
There are 15 close contacts that have been identified.
Of these, a large portion are folks from stores where they're not sure who served her & wish to err on the side of caution
This case is being called The January Northland Case.
There are 15 close contacts that have been identified.
Of these, a large portion are folks from stores where they're not sure who served her & wish to err on the side of caution
The variant has been identified as the South African variant.
There is no indication that this variant requires any different health measures to contain it, but there is less information on this one so health professionals are watching with interest internationally.
There is no indication that this variant requires any different health measures to contain it, but there is less information on this one so health professionals are watching with interest internationally.
The diligent scanning in from the northland case have allowed for swift tracing of her contacts, and have made a huge difference for tracking this.
Please scan in, & turn bluetooth on.
We've seen over 200,000 new bluetooth activations since yesterday!
Please scan in, & turn bluetooth on.
We've seen over 200,000 new bluetooth activations since yesterday!
Yesterday as many businesses were contacted as possible but not all businesses.
The decision was made to publish the list, including dates & times, last night despite this to ensure the information was available in a timely a manner.
The decision was made to publish the list, including dates & times, last night despite this to ensure the information was available in a timely a manner.
There are pop up community testing stations that have been stood up around the Northland & Auckland areas.
There's a list on MoH website with locations.
We want to focus on testing the right people, rather than everyone, so please check with Healthline before getting a test
There's a list on MoH website with locations.
We want to focus on testing the right people, rather than everyone, so please check with Healthline before getting a test
Q&A Time ahoy!
As ever, I'll pare this down to questions that are new and exciting or particularly important.
As ever, I'll pare this down to questions that are new and exciting or particularly important.
Q: There are huge lines at some testing centres, what are you doing about this?
A: We've added testing sites, and additional staff.
Every time we have a case, there's large lines. Bring snacks. Bring water.
A: We've added testing sites, and additional staff.
Every time we have a case, there's large lines. Bring snacks. Bring water.
Q: Shouldn't the infectious person have been in the Jetpark?
A: The infectious person was identified on their day 3 test and moved to the Jetpark on the 13th, which was the last day in MIQ for our Northland case.
A: The infectious person was identified on their day 3 test and moved to the Jetpark on the 13th, which was the last day in MIQ for our Northland case.
Q: What does the HVAC upgrade that you were talking about mean?
A: As mentioned last year, we're looking at upgrades around potential aerosol transmission.
We will be expediting the examination of the HVAC system in the Pullman to see if it's played a role in this transmission
A: As mentioned last year, we're looking at upgrades around potential aerosol transmission.
We will be expediting the examination of the HVAC system in the Pullman to see if it's played a role in this transmission
Q: Some of the businesses in Northland say that no one tried to contact them.
A: With the pressure to release the information, we had to make the decision to release the list before getting in touch with all the companies. We are still working to contact them.
A: With the pressure to release the information, we had to make the decision to release the list before getting in touch with all the companies. We are still working to contact them.
Q: Are you looking to close the borders to high risk countries?
A: No, we have a responsibility to provide the opportunity for New Zealanders to come home. We're still tightly managing numbers, due to our MIQ capacity limits, but we're doing the best we can.
A: No, we have a responsibility to provide the opportunity for New Zealanders to come home. We're still tightly managing numbers, due to our MIQ capacity limits, but we're doing the best we can.
Q: Where was this woman tested, are the public going to be informed?
A: Actually the community based testing centre was put up on the places on interest list last night. I'll double check and put it in the press release.
(note: I can't see it on the website)
A: Actually the community based testing centre was put up on the places on interest list last night. I'll double check and put it in the press release.
(note: I can't see it on the website)
Q: Some places say they haven't been contacted, what is your advice to them?
A: Please get in touch with our public health response team so they can advise you on support, cleaning, and other things that need to be considered.
A: Please get in touch with our public health response team so they can advise you on support, cleaning, and other things that need to be considered.
Q: There's fake infographics doing the rounds on Facebook, including a lock down, what do you say to that?
A: People should consider that fake news can do real harm.
Please make sure the news that you're sharing is true, accurate, and verifiable.
A: People should consider that fake news can do real harm.
Please make sure the news that you're sharing is true, accurate, and verifiable.
Q: Do we need to change the testing schedule for people in MIQ?
A: We do review our testing, the data from it, and the sources of infection - it's a report on my desk every week.
We are looking at how and when the likes of in flight transmission, & late stay positives.
A: We do review our testing, the data from it, and the sources of infection - it's a report on my desk every week.
We are looking at how and when the likes of in flight transmission, & late stay positives.
Q: Will you be reviewing alert levels in cabinet tomorrow, and what can people expect?
A: I have not tabled this, and don't expect to need to
A: I have not tabled this, and don't expect to need to
Q: We see a spike of scans whenever there's a case, what can be done to sustain it?
A: We need businesses to work with us to make it easy to scan in. Put extra QR codes up. Refresh the ones you already have.
If you're serving someone, please ask them if they've scanned in etc.
A: We need businesses to work with us to make it easy to scan in. Put extra QR codes up. Refresh the ones you already have.
If you're serving someone, please ask them if they've scanned in etc.
Q: Where & when was the genome sequencing done?
A: It was done in Wellington and completed at 00:30 this morning.
There is the ability to do them in Auckland now, if needed, but Wellington do have the experience to do speedy turnarounds.
A: It was done in Wellington and completed at 00:30 this morning.
There is the ability to do them in Auckland now, if needed, but Wellington do have the experience to do speedy turnarounds.
Q: Are Waitangi events likely to be impacted? What can the iwi do?
A: I feel more confident today saying that events for Waitangi won't be affected, but public health measures do need to be emphasised.
We have a team proactively contacting the event organisers.
A: I feel more confident today saying that events for Waitangi won't be affected, but public health measures do need to be emphasised.
We have a team proactively contacting the event organisers.
