COVID-19 Response Update - Key information on our transition into the traffic light system

Kia rere atu anō aku mihi nui ki ngā rangatira o te whare hauora Māori, tēnā rā koutou katoa.  

As the Prime Minister said at today’s stand-up, Cabinet will be sharing key information this week to ensure life runs as smoothly as possible once we transition into the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, or ‘traffic light system’ as you might know it.

On Thursday, Cabinet will set out the support someone who gets COVID and those around them will receive in the community. This will include greater levels of testing, more targeted contract tracing, healthcare, and social services. Most people who get COVID in the future will experience mild to moderate symptoms that won’t require hospital care, so what matters now is ensuring they get the best support they possibly can while still in the community.

As you know, Cabinet will meet on 29 November to determine which levels of the traffic light system different parts of the country will move into, and that Tāmaki Makaurau will move into red. To provide further certainty, Cabinet has decided the whole country will move into the new traffic light system at 11.59pm on 2 Thursday December, making 3 Friday December the first day the traffic light system will be operationalised. That’s eleven days from now and it’s important we all get prepared.

The number one thing our whānau can do to get prepared for the traffic light system is to get vaccinated. Vaccine passes will operate in the traffic light system, and if whānau aren’t fully vaccinated, they won’t be able to access a range of places like bars, gyms, and restaurants. Right now, 83% of eligible New Zealanders are fully vaccinated, but nearly 200,000, or 4.6% of the eligible population, are more than three weeks pass their first shot and are now due for their second. If you or your whānau are a part of that group, please book in for your second shot now.

Finally, to ensure the transition to the new system is as smooth as possible, Cabinet has decided to undertake a trial period by allowing hairdressers and barbers in Tāmaki Makaurau to open from this Thursday November 25, so long as they require proof of vaccination from customers. For further information on the traffic light system and what it means for you and your whānau, please visit the Unite Against COVID website.

205 new community cases in Aotearoa

• There are a total of 205 new community cases to report in Aotearoa today; 175 of these are in Tāmaki Makaurau, 20 are in Waikato, four are in Te Tai Tokerau, five are the Bay of Plenty, and one is in the Lakes region.    
• This brings the total number of cases associated with this outbreak to 7,054. Since the outbreak started 2,307 people have recovered giving us an active total of 4,747.
• Of today’s 205 new cases, 103 have already been linked and investigations continue for the remaining 102.  
• Regarding hospitalisations, there is a total of 85 people in hospital with COVID-19. Six of these people are in either ICU or HDU. Ka mutu, the average age of those in hospital is 48.
• Today we’re also sadly reporting the death of a patient with COVID-19. Counties Manukau Health has informed the Ministry of the death of a man in his 40s at Middlemore Hospital. No further information will be released until conversations with the man’s family have concluded. My whakaaro are with this man’s family and friends during this incredibly pōuri time.

One new case in the Midcentral region

• Today we are reporting one new case in the MidCentral region. This case will officially be included in the Ministry’s numbers tomorrow, as notification of the case was received after the morning cut-off today.
• This person is based in Palmerston North and is linked to a previously reported case.
• Public health staff have deemed the public health risk as low as this person has been isolating since November 17.
• Any locations of interest will be uploaded to the Ministry of Health’s webpage if and when they’re identified.
• Anyone in the Pahiatua area who has even the mildest of covid symptoms is encouraged to get tested given the positive wastewater results on 15, 16 and 18 November.
• The Ministry continues to encourage testing for anyone with mild symptoms of COVID-19 across Horowhenua, Manawatū, and Tararua.  
• For more information on testing locations across the region, please go to Healthpoint and check out Midcentral DHB Facebook page.

Five new cases in the Bay of Plenty

• There are five new cases being reported in the Bay of Plenty today.
• Four of these cases are linked to existing cases in Mount Manganui. Investigations are underway into any possible links between the remaining case and any known cases.
• It is critical that anyone with any cold or flu symptoms gets tested as quickly as possible – maintaining a high rate of testing in the Bay of Plenty will help to contain the spread of COVID-19.
• Testing locations for the Bay of Plenty can be found on the Healthpoint website.
• Case interviews continue to identify new locations of interest which are being added regularly to the Ministry of Health webpage.
• Everyone who lives in or has travelled to the rohe is asked to monitor locations of interest daily and follow any advice given.

Four new cases in Te Tai Tokerau

• There are four new cases in Te Tai Tokerau being reported today. Three of these are in Kaikohe and are linked to an existing case.
• The fourth case is a border worker who has not yet been linked to a known case. Public health officials are today interviewing this case to determine whether they are a community or a border-related case, and to identify any locations of interest.
• All active cases are being cared for in the community except one person who is in Whangārei Hospital in a stable condition.

Changing to saliva testing requirements

• The Ministry has updated the position on the use of saliva for diagnostic testing for COVID-19, based on an updated review of the evidence and results of testing in Aotearoa.
• This means saliva testing for surveillance purposes for some groups of workers can be reduced from twice weekly to once a week, and there is no need for a follow-up nasopharyngeal swab to confirm a positive saliva test result.
• The Ministry’s testing strategy is always led by public health and science advice.
• More information is available on the Ministry of Health website.
• Please remind your friends and whānau to get information on COVID-19 and the vaccine from our trusted sources – the Ministry of Health website, Unite Against COVID channels, Karawhiua channels, and the Te Puni Kōkiri ‘COVID-19 Information for Māori’ portal.
  
  For guidance on protecting yourself and your whānau from COVID-19 misinformation and scams, please visit the Unite Against COVID website.  
  
  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or my team at Māorihealth@health.govt.nz
  
  Mā te Atua tātou e manaaki i roto i ngā āhuatanga o te wā,  
  
  Nāhaku me aku mihi aroha,
  
  Nā
  
  
  John Whaanga
  Deputy Director-General | Māori Health Directorate
  Waea pūkoro: 021 578 040  | Īmēra: John.Whaanga@health.govt.nz