Drought in Eastern Bay

Niwa’s weekly watch confirms hotspot conditions remain widespread across the North Island including the eastern Bay of Plenty. The New Zealand Drought Index map below shows that meteorological drought is in place in a portion of East Cape, while widespread dry-to-extremely dry soils are in place across most of the rest of the North Island.

Counties Manukau Health and the National Hauora Coalition are warning the public about false information being spread about fictional Covid-19 tests in South Auckland schools.

Social media posts appear to be targeting Mana Kidz, which provides a rheumatic fever prevention programme across 88 primary and intermediate schools in South Auckland.

The scheme has been operating since 2012 and uses throat swabs to detect Streptococcus bacteria, commonly known as strep throat, the precursor to rheumatic fever. It appears some parents have mistaken the procedure for a Covid-19 test.

Online posts claim schools are testing children for the virus without parental consent and removing those who test positive without notifying their parents.

In a joint statement, Counties Manukau Health and primary healthcare organisation the National Hauora Coalition have publicly spoken out against the misinformation.

“NHC and Counties Manukau Health emphatically state that no children involved in our Mana Kidz programme are being swabbed for Covid-19 or being removed from school. This misinformation is not only incorrect, but it also risks seriously undermining an important health initiative.”