New Zealand prepares to deal with potential surge in COVID-19 cases

New Zealand is preparing for an increase in Covid-19 cases after registering 94 new infections over the weekend, with pandemic modelers predicting that if the government continues on its present path, new cases would rapidly exceed 100 per day.

Epidemiologist and public health professor, Michael Baker says that the country is in the exponential growth curve of the COVID-19. The current trend is going up in Auckland, and it's not only about the total cases but also about the unexplained cases, which hints that transmission in the community is rapidly increasing.

In view of this, New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern recently announced that the government would be postponing school reopening. The restrictions would be followed in Auckland in the same way until the vaccination level rises.

PM Ardern stated that this is a very crucial period in terms of the COVID response. They understand why people would want and desire more assurance than what is offered right now. Although, the country is in a new phase, but the aim stays the same, regardless of how to get there.

She added that New Zealand is still in a great position to move from lockdown limitations to individual vaccination while retaining its world-leading case counts, hospitalizations, and fatalities.

According to PM Ardern, teachers and frontline health professionals would be mandated to take vaccines. All individuals working in schools who have contact with children and those in high-risk health and disability health workforces will also be required to get vaccinated.

Chris Hipkins, COVID-19 response minister, said the majority of people working in this sector are vaccinated. However, they cannot let anyone be left by any chance, hence making it mandatory.

It's a tough decision, but they need individuals who work with vulnerable groups who haven't been vaccinated to go the additional mile, he added.

Source Credit - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/11/new-zealand-covid-update-country-on-knife-edge-as-cases-expected-to-rise-further