Bubble closure considered

WELLINGTON: Cabinet ministers convened a special virtual meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the transtasman bubble, including a potential pause of the entire arrangement.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting had been planned for ‘‘several days’’ given the developing situation in Australia.

Any announcement was expected to be made today.

The meeting was held virtually as it was one of Parliament’s recess weeks, meaning ministers were spread across the country.

The news came as several Australian states continued to grapple with Covid19 outbreaks.

Quarantinefree travel is at present paused for three states:

Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

At yesterday’s vaccine update, Covid19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the transtasman arrangements were under ‘‘constant review’’, but also that the pauses would be reviewed on July 27.

Asked directly whether the entire bubble should be closed, Mr Hipkins said he had nothing further to add.

The Government is pressing ahead with plans to vaccinate the general population even though only 20% of those in the vulnerable group three have had their first dose.

Analysis of vaccination data shows more than 2 million doses still need to be given to those in group 3 — over 65 or with underlying health conditions.

There is a dearth of good information relating to the vaccine rollout.

However, by collating Ministry of Health data on the number of vaccines administered by each district health board to the various eligibility groups and obtaining group three estimates from each DHB, we now have a snapshot of the rollout’s progress to date.

Next Wednesday the first cohort of group 4 — those aged 60 and over — will be invited to book their Covid19 shots.

The Government set the date back in March.

However, some doctors fear it is too rushed with so many more vulnerable people still unvaccinated.

Based on DHB figures and population estimates, only 12% of group 3, or about 180,000 people, are fully inoculated.

Only one in five have received their first dose.

Covid19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins defended the approach, saying there would be enough vaccines for everyone by the end of the year. — RNZ

POTENTIALLY lifesaving equipment made in Dunedin has been delivered to Covidravaged Fiji, after initial success in Nepal.

Dunedin medical engineering startup SouthMED Ltd gave 50 respiratory hoods to the Fijian Government, to distribute to hospitals.

It came in response to a significant shortage of oxygen supplies faced by countries worldwide, SouthMED chairman Mark Seaton said.

Normally hoods used up to 120 litres of gas per minute, of which 50% could be supplementary oxygen.

But the SouthMED hoods could run effectively on as little as 15 litres per minute of supplementary oxygen, Mr Seaton said.

‘‘While maintaining the advantages of reduced mortality risk, reduced length of treatment and a high level of infection control compared with maskbased options provides considerable benefits in a Covid scenario.’’

Hospitals have been stretched as the pandemic worsens in Fiji.

On Wednesday, Fiji recorded 1091 new cases of Covid19.

‘‘With news coming in of how stretched the Fiji health system is becoming, we just had to offer our support.’’

In May, SouthMED sent 80 hoods, all with locally sourced parts, to Nepal.

Although Nepal had the same pandemic severity as India, it was not getting the global media attention needed to channel resources its way, Mr Seaton said.

Clinicians in Nepal who used the hoods reported they were advantageous, he said.

‘‘As well as providing a more reliable seal to maintain a continuous positive airway pressure, the hoods minimise the occurrence of pressure sores normally found with an oxygen face mask, and facilitate easy feeding without the need to remove the hood.

‘‘Importantly, the hoods help to contain airborne viral particles, reducing the risk to clinicians.’’

Funding for the hoods was provided by businessman Cliff Cook.

‘‘While the hoods were intended for New Zealand use, we are pleased to be able to help our near neighbours,’’ Mr Seaton said.