With borders open and New Zealand holidaymakers returning home, cases have risen and more than half of them are the more contagious new sub-variants, says epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker.
“The number of cases detected at the border increased from 10 a day in early March and increased in June and we reached 100,” Baker said.
“Since then it’s really skyrocketed and hit 300 in early July. It’s going up fast right now.”
Baker said the driver for the higher numbers was the increase in the number of people coming in – and Omicron also rose in source countries and in New Zealand.
“As soon as we changed our system from MIQ to home insulation, the number of new variants increased,” says Baker.
“I think the big message is that we’re fully connected to the rest of the world and we’re going to see more of these new variants.”
Baker said there was no longer a “four week delay” between Auckland cases spreading to the rest of New Zealand.
With flights from abroad to all major cities, cases were more even across New Zealand.
Baker said half of the cases came from Australia, but noted that New Zealand is now “well connected to the diversity of these viruses from around the world”.
He advised New Zealanders with an overseas trip booked to ensure they were fully vaccinated with any boosters available to them.
“Many travelers will be in older age groups, so the booster boosts immunity, cellular immunity and antibodies.
“It gives you some protection against infection, but also protects you from serious consequences.”
He said mask use was still the best line of defense against airborne disease.
“People should wear masks everywhere indoors.”
RNZ Reportsmeanwhile, GPs are concerned that antiviral treatments for Covid-19 may cause reactions in patients with comorbidities.
Starting tomorrow, the entry criteria for three antiviral treatments will apply to people aged 75 and older and those who have already been in intensive care due to the virus.
General Practitioners Association chairman Tim Malloy told RNZ that while the intention was good, there were real risks associated with the treatments.
“Our biggest concern in primary care is, of course, that that could create even more work.”
Another risk was that some of the antiviral formula could interact poorly with other common medications, he said.
It was important that patients with comorbidities did not change their current treatments to take the antivirals, Malloy said.
Malloy was concerned it could lead to more people needing hospital treatment.
As of Saturday, 29 more people were registered as having died from Covid in New Zealand, and 9,241 community cases were reported.