Govt ponders measures for schools and events
New Zealand has entered a new phase of the coronavirus outbreak, as health officials focus on slowing the spread of the virus rather than eradicating it.
Speaking at a briefing yesterday, Ministry of Health directorgeneral of health Ashley Bloomfield said the Government would consider a range of measures to slow the virus’ spread.
‘‘Mass gathering and school closings could be employed now to maintain it [the spread] and slow it down,’’ he said.
Bloomfield said everyone needed to take steps to slow the spread of the virus.
‘‘All of use are probably guilty, at times, if we’ve got a bit of a runny nose, we go to work . . . This is a time when we have to be much, much more strict with ourselves.’’
The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 worldwide was around 118,000 yesterday, and 4262 people have died. For a fourth consecutive day, there were no additional cases confirmed in New Zealand, and one of the confirmed cases was discharged from Auckland City Hospital yesterday.
New Zealand has so far had five confirmed cases and two probable cases.
A probable case from the Grand Princess cruise ship, who was being treated at North Shore Hospital, was also now home, Bloomfield said.
‘‘Of the other confirmed cases, none is requiring hospital care at this point,’’ he said.
All close contacts had been contacted, and were being checked on daily.
A prospective case in Northland returned a negative test result, Bloomfield said. A person at the Tool rock concert at Auckland’s Spark Arena has also been tested for coronavirus.
‘‘We will wait and see if the symptoms they have are from Covid-19,’’ Bloomfield said.
Yesterday there were 28 tests being done around the country for coronavirus, he said.
Healthline has registered 8963 people or households for selfisolation since the process began, the ministry said. There were currently 2334 registrations for self-isolation, while 5929 have completed isolation.
Other countries with widespread outbreaks have shown they are able to contain the virus, Bloomfield said.
What you can do
‘‘In terms of what we can do in New Zealand . . . not putting yourself or others at risk when you are unwell,’’ he said
This was particularly important for large gatherings, such as the upcoming service marking the anniversary of the March 15 attacks, and the Pasifika Festival.
‘‘Please stay home if you’re unwell, and watch them on TV or enjoy doing something else.’’
Good cough and sneeze etiquette are imperative at this time, he said.
He wanted to thank everyone who had gone into self-isolation. It was one of the most powerful tools available to tackle the illness, he said, also noting the two most useful items to combat it were hand sanitiser and soap.
The first of the hospital staff who were asked to self-isolate after caring for the cruise passenger who was a probable case were beginning to return to work.