NZ moves to Phase 3 of Omicron response as daily cases cross 12000
Today's daily number of community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand have crossed the 12,000 mark (12,011). Yesterday Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that the country would move to phase 3 of Omicron response from midnight.
In a press conference yesterday, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield and Hipkins explained what Kiwis could expect under phase 3.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had recently hinted that when the country records about 5000 daily community cases, phase 3 will be triggered.
Such a high number of cases will put a lot of pressure on the systems as it will be difficult for Health services to conduct follow-up interviews or keep up with the intense level of contact tracing needed.
Under phase 3, health systems will focus on high-risk people and those with high needs. The shift will also have more frequent use of Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) which will become the primary means of testing for Covid-19.
These self-administered tests, which give results in 15 minutes, will be available from thousands of sites including doctors, pharmacies, community testing centres or workplaces.
People who test positive will be expected to self-manage and to look after themselves at home. Also, the onus will be on the individual to alert their household contacts.
Under Phase 3, the definition of ‘close contacts’ would also change to include only household contacts only – the people they live with – so only the highest-risk contacts would need to isolate.
Confirmed cases and close(household) contacts should isolate for 10 days but can self-release after day 10, providing any testing requirements are met.
Asymptomatic healthcare and critical workers who are close contacts will be able to return to work after a negative Rapid Antigen Test.
The use of digital technologies will continue and people who test positive will be notified by text message rather than a phone call. They will be sent a link to complete an online contact tracing form. There will be a phone call option available for those who do not have access to internet technology.
Despite the growing number of cases this week, there are fears that many cases were going undiagnosed due to growing pressure on testing facilities.
According to the Ministry of Health, the percentage of positive tests is at 12.2 percent, meaning more than 12 out of every 100 Kiwis tested in the past 24 hours have returned a positive result.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield also said that people testing positive should reconsider visiting elderly relatives.
"This is a time to be really mindful about who you visit over these coming weeks.
Ministry Chris Hipkins said, overseas travel date rules in days or weeks ahead would unlikely be changed, but aspects of the border reopening later this year might be brought forward.
He also suggested people to come up with an isolation plan and talk to friends and family about how they will manage in case they need to isolate.
He also urges everyone to take up booster shots.
"You are far less likely to end up in hospital if you get Covid-19 if you've had a booster."
"Keep calm and carry on," was Hipkins’ message to people with Covid-19.
Today's daily number of community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand have crossed the 12,000 mark (12,011). Yesterday Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that the country would move to phase 3 of Omicron response from midnight.
In a press conference yesterday, Director-General of Health...
Today's daily number of community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand have crossed the 12,000 mark (12,011). Yesterday Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that the country would move to phase 3 of Omicron response from midnight.
In a press conference yesterday, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield and Hipkins explained what Kiwis could expect under phase 3.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had recently hinted that when the country records about 5000 daily community cases, phase 3 will be triggered.
Such a high number of cases will put a lot of pressure on the systems as it will be difficult for Health services to conduct follow-up interviews or keep up with the intense level of contact tracing needed.
Under phase 3, health systems will focus on high-risk people and those with high needs. The shift will also have more frequent use of Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) which will become the primary means of testing for Covid-19.
These self-administered tests, which give results in 15 minutes, will be available from thousands of sites including doctors, pharmacies, community testing centres or workplaces.
People who test positive will be expected to self-manage and to look after themselves at home. Also, the onus will be on the individual to alert their household contacts.
Under Phase 3, the definition of ‘close contacts’ would also change to include only household contacts only – the people they live with – so only the highest-risk contacts would need to isolate.
Confirmed cases and close(household) contacts should isolate for 10 days but can self-release after day 10, providing any testing requirements are met.
Asymptomatic healthcare and critical workers who are close contacts will be able to return to work after a negative Rapid Antigen Test.
The use of digital technologies will continue and people who test positive will be notified by text message rather than a phone call. They will be sent a link to complete an online contact tracing form. There will be a phone call option available for those who do not have access to internet technology.
Despite the growing number of cases this week, there are fears that many cases were going undiagnosed due to growing pressure on testing facilities.
According to the Ministry of Health, the percentage of positive tests is at 12.2 percent, meaning more than 12 out of every 100 Kiwis tested in the past 24 hours have returned a positive result.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield also said that people testing positive should reconsider visiting elderly relatives.
"This is a time to be really mindful about who you visit over these coming weeks.
Ministry Chris Hipkins said, overseas travel date rules in days or weeks ahead would unlikely be changed, but aspects of the border reopening later this year might be brought forward.
He also suggested people to come up with an isolation plan and talk to friends and family about how they will manage in case they need to isolate.
He also urges everyone to take up booster shots.
"You are far less likely to end up in hospital if you get Covid-19 if you've had a booster."
"Keep calm and carry on," was Hipkins’ message to people with Covid-19.
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