Covid 19
West Coast reaches 90 percent vaccination target
Almost a year after the first Covid-19 vaccinations were administered, the West Coast DHB has hit the 90 percent vaccination target.
Covid-19: Booster dose effective against Omicron BA.2 mutation - virologist
An evolutionary virologist says fully vaccinated people with a booster dose are effectively protected against the Omicron BA.2 mutation. Audio
Crew worried JetStar is not enforcing Covid policies
JetStar cabin crew members are concerned the company's not checking people's vaccine passes or evidence of negative tests.
At the beginning of the week, the airline introduced a new policy requiring… Audio
Essential to protect vulnerable at Omicron peak - epidemiologist
An Australian-based epidemiologist says in the face of Omicron, the focus should be on ensuring the health system is not overwhelmed as case numbers increase. Audio
Covid-19: Virologist explains Omicron BA.2 found at border
Virologists aren't sounding the alarm bells just yet about a mutated version of Omicron that's been seeping into our borders.
There's little currently known about the new strain, dubbed BA.2, besides… Audio
Victoria reports 39 Covid-19 deaths, NSW records 35 deaths
Victoria has recorded the deaths of 39 more Covid-19 patients, while New South Wales has reported 35 deaths.
Māori health leader calls for targeted strategy for Omicron
Māori health leaders say something needs to be done to close the Covid-19 vaccine gap for Māori.
Soundsplash: Teen says 12 friends at festival tested positive for Covid-19
A teenager who tested positive after attending Soundsplash says 12 of her friends who were at the festival have also contracted the virus, while an Auckland scientist says it could be a superspreader… Audio
Stranded Australians and NZ face anxious wait to return home
Cancelled flights and managed isolation have stranded an unknown number of people on either side of the Tasman.
Pacific correspondent Susana Lei'ataua
Susana has the latest on the massive Tongan aid effort in the wake of volcanic eruption and tsunami devastation. Also a look at Covid in the Pacific region - Solomons has community transmission… Audio
How will our diagnostic labs cope with omicron surge?
First this morning as omicron takes hold with tens of thousands of cases projected per day - how will our diagnostic laboratoies cope? New analysis from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation… Audio
Omicron outbreak may leave rural hospitals precarious staffing levels
Rural GP Network clinical director Jeremy Webber says his colleagues are waiting for the outbreak "with some trepidation".
Covid-19: Psychologist advises New Zealanders to keep calm
A Wellington clinical psychologist is advising New Zealanders to keep calm and be prepared for an Omicron outbreak.
The infectious Omicron strain of Covid-19 is making many older people who rely on… Audio
Covid-19: Family doctors gear up to support Māori communities
Family doctors are gearing up to ensure Māori communities are well prepared and supported during an Omicron outbreak.
The Royal New Zealand College of GPs says during earlier Covid-19 outbreaks Māori… Audio
Covid-19: School camps back on at red light
School is back and so are all the outdoor activities that go with it.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed outdoor education and school camps can go ahead under the Covid-19 red traffic light… Audio
Covid-19: Rural communities could lose local medical services
Rural communities could lose access to local medical services when Omicron hits.
Staffing is precarious in many small towns, and doctors, nurses and key admin staff will have to stop working if they… Audio
Covid-19: NZ can't avoid Omicron outbreak - epidemiologist
An Australian expert says New Zealand can't avoid an Omicron outbreak, and there's no need to panic about it.
A music event in Hamilton last weekend - SoundSplash - is under the spotlight as a… Audio
Covid-19: Concerns how university students will cope
More than 175,000 students across the country will begin their university year next month.
This comes as the highly transmissble Omicron variant is already in the community.
New Zealand University… Audio
Covid-19 infiltrates further into Pacific
Covid-19 is infiltrating more parts of the Pacific - bringing anxiety to some island nations that had succeeded in avoiding the pandemic until now.
There is particular concern in Kiribati, where a… Audio
Covid-19: Vaccine gap a problem for Māori
Māori health leaders say something needs to be done to close the vaccine gap for Māori.
Many Māori are ineligible for boosters until March - which is when the Omicron outbreak is forecast to peak.
… Audio
