Panui ki te Iwi - UPDATES 

Chrissie Hape - Ngati Kahungunu Iwi CE encourages us to vaccinate

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Event Manager Te Rangi Huata encourages us to vaccinate

Kahungunu Iwi Chair Be Doer, Karawhiua!

Melissa Ihaka and her babies encouraging us to vaccinate

Ruth Wong and her whanau encouraging us to vaccinate

Panui ki te Iwi COVID-19 Response Update 19.8.21

COVID-19 Response Update - Locations of interest, vaccinations for 12-15 year-olds and continuation of cancer treatment

Tēnā koutou katoa,

On behalf of the Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Board, thank you to all our frontline workers who are doing a fantastic job, testing and vaccinating our whānau. We acknowledge all whānau who are working in essential mahi to keep our communities going. Well done!

As of yesterday evening, there were a total of 21 cases of COVID-19 in the community. All cases are being transferred safely to an isolation facility, under strict infection prevention and control procedures.

As the Prime Minister announced, whole genome sequencing of the community cases that have been sequenced so far show they are a close match to a recent returnee from Sydney. This information provides a strong lead in identifying how this outbreak may have started.

We still expect case numbers to rise before they taper, so we need to be prepared for that, but today we have uncovered a likely source, and that means our ability to circle the virus, lock it down and stamp it out has greatly improved.

Keep up to date with the latest locations of interest

• We are still encouraging whānau to check out the locations of interest on the Ministry of Health website – these are regularly updated.

• If you have been at any of these locations of interest during the relevant time, please self-isolate and call your GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on what to do next.

• Additionally, if you live in the same whare as someone who has been at a location of interest, please isolate at home until they receive a negative test – you don’t need to be tested unless you are asked.

• Please do not call Healthline for general COVID inquiries. We need to make sure whānau who need clinical advice can get through, particularly those who were at a location of interest during the relevant time.

• There are a lot of locations e hoa mā, and these will increase, but it’s critically important we identify anybody who has been at these areas to make sure they get tested, and in doing so, help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

12–15 year-olds can now be vaccinated with their whānau  

• Young people aged 12–15 will be able to join parents or caregivers getting their vaccination, making it easier for whānau to get vaccinated together.

• Medsafe gave provisional approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for 12–15-year-olds in Aotearoa in June. The government has now approved the vaccine for use for 12–15-year-olds.

• From Friday 20 August, as parents or guardians become eligible to book their vaccine, they can also book any 12–15-year-olds in their whānau.

• People who already have a booking may be able to add to an existing booking or make an additional booking for their 12-15-year-old.

• At this stage, the COVID-19 vaccine will not be available to children through their school-based vaccination programme. We will keep you updated on any changes in that area.

• To make or change a booking:

• go to BookMyVaccine.nz  

• phone the COVID Vaccination Healthline 0800 28 29 26, (8am-8pm, 7 days a week).

• If you’ve already booked directly with your GP or pharmacy, talk to them about adding whānau members.

Wearing face coverings and getting exemption cards

• Hei whakamaumahara, it is now mandatory for whānau (kaimahi and customers) to wear face coverings at businesses and services operating at Alert Level 4, involving customer contract. This includes supermarkets, pharmacies, and petrol stations.

• We know however that some whānau who have a disability or health condition may not be able to wear a face covering safely or comfortably. If you cannot wear one, you can get an exemption card. You can show your exemption card when needed, for example to a bus driver or at the supermarket.

• While you do not need to have an exemption card, you may feel more comfortable showing something official to confirm you cannot wear a face covering. We’ve also recently heard reports of some of our whānau whaikaha being stopped from entering supermarkets, nā reira kia mataara e hoa mā.

• You can learn more about wearing face coverings and getting exemption cards on the Unite Against COVID website. 

Cancer treatment is essential and will continue at all levels

• At Alert Level 4, cancer services around the motu are all still working for whānau, to give you the support you need.

• At Level 4, cancer centres must follow the physical distancing guidelines which may impact how treatment is delivered. It is extremely important that we protect whānau living with cancer from the risk of catching COVID-19.

• Nā reira if you are scheduled for cancer treatment please go to your appointment. If you have concerns about travelling or coming to hospital because of your health, please contact your cancer centre before your appointment or treatment.

• For more information, visit the Te Aho o te Kahu website.

COVID-19 vaccination rollout update

• More than 2.61 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to date (to 11.59pm on 18 August). Of these, 1.65 million are first doses and 954,000 are second doses.

• Nearly 144,000 Mâori have received their first vaccination. Of these, nearly 88,000 have also had their second vaccinations. Ka pai tâtou e te iwi Māori!

• More than 96,000 doses have been administered to Pacific peoples. Of these, around 60,000 have also received their second doses.

• For more information on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, visit 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, Unite Against COVID, and Karawhiua channels.
  
  This information has been provided by the Deputy Director-General | Māori Health Directorate – John Whaanga.