No new Covid-19 cases in Taranaki
Taranaki has no new cases of coronavirus.
Yesterday, Dr Caroline McElnay, Director of Public Health, announced three new cases of Covid-19 — two in Auckland and one in Waitemata¯ — bringing the national combined total of new and probable cases to 1479.
While the country’s death toll from the virus sits at 19, 1252 people have recovered.
Nearly 140,000 tests have been carried out nationwide.
After more than three weeks without a new case, Taranaki’s numbers this week increased from 14 to 16 — two probable and 14 confirmed. Only two of those cases remain active.
As the country continues to unite in its effort to curb the spread of Covid-19, Taranaki Civil Defence and Emergency Management has urged Taranaki businesses to operate safely.
The appeal followed concerns from the region’s Mayoral Forum on businesses not ‘‘pulling their weight’’ when it came to operating responsibly, Craig Campbell-Smart, Civil Defence’s group controller, said. ‘‘That’s just not good enough,’’ he said. ‘‘If a business is unable to operate in accordance with the level 3 guidance, it should not open.’’
Campbell-Smart said heightened activity during level 3 meant a greater risk of Covid-19 transmission within the community.
He said it was ‘‘critically important’’ businesses were following the health measures in place.
While Taranaki people have been encouraged to shop local to support the region’s economy, businesses needed to ensure the safety of their staff and customers remained a priority for this to succeed, Campbell-Smart said.
‘‘It’s important to get as much trading under way as we can in Taranaki, but it must be done safely.’’
If businesses are found not operating safely they can be reported to the COVID-19 Compliance Centre online.
Meanwhile, Taranaki District Health Board’s medical officer of health, Dr Jonathan Jarman, has ‘‘strongly recommended’’ residents vaccinate against influenza.
He said the flu vaccine would not prevent Covid-19, but it would help stop the spread of influenza.