Orange traffic light setting stays in place

Scientists advising the Government have warned of a likely fresh wave of Omicron cases under the orange traffic light setting, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says, stopping New Zealand from moving into the most relaxed green setting for at least another month.

In a statement yesterday morning, Hipkins said Omicron cases were predicted to rise over winter, meaning the orange traffic light setting ‘‘remains appropriate’’.

The setting will next be reviewed in ‘‘late June’’.

‘‘While daily case numbers have flattened nationally, they are again beginning to increase in the Northern region and hospitalisation rates have also increased slightly over the past month,’’ he said, warning that Omicron was not over.

‘‘In addition, our latest Covid19 modelling indicates that under current conditions, there is a likelihood of a secondary wave of cases appearing.’’

Self-isolation, vaccination and mask wearing continue to be ‘‘our main defences against the virus,’’ he said.

‘‘It is encouraging to see case numbers remain steady, but there are other factors at play that tell us to remain cautious and not yet move to green. These include the arrival of new strains of colds and flu, which will add to the workloads of our already busy hospitals.’’

Dr Dianne Sika-paotonu, a University of Otago associate dean and biomedical scientist, said it was not the right time to relax restrictions further.

‘‘We are at the point where we have almost 100 deaths being reported every week,’’ she said. ‘‘Those figures are still very high.’’

Significant gaps in childhood vaccinations were also a major

‘‘Latest Covid-19 modelling indicates that under current conditions, there is a likelihood of a secondary wave of cases appearing.’’ Chris Hipkins Covid-19 Response Minister

concern coming into winter, while the true number of Covid infections may be higher because of the reliance on self reporting, she said.

Health officials have also raised serious concerns about gaps in childhood vaccinations. The approaching winter and border re-opening is expected to bring influenza outbreaks and RSV will add even more pressure to the health system, while low measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates among children could prove deadly.

The seven-day rolling average of case numbers was 7712 on Monday, up from 7702 the week prior while 6058 new infections were reported in the past 24 hours.

The orange setting is where community transmission poses a risk to vulnerable groups and puts pressure on the health system.

Face masks remain an important protection and are encouraged, but are only required at some gatherings and events, close-proximity businesses like hairdressers and food-and-drink businesses, on public transport and flights.

The nation will shift to green when there is low community transmission and the health system is ready to respond, the framework says.