Covid 19
Omicron in MIQ - what do we know about the variant
The Ministry of Health has confirmed at least one case of the Omicron variant in a managed isolation facility in Christchurch.
The variant is spreading quickly overseas and scientists are racing to… Audio
Māori and Pacific over-represented in NRHCC hospitalisations in Delta outbreak
The longest Covid-19 hospitalisation in Auckland and Northland during the first three months of the current outbreak was 61 days, and an overwhelming majority of patients were Māori or Pacific.
Call for school Covid-19 vaccination day for children
A leading Māori health provider is calling for a Covid-19 vaccination day in schools after Medsafe granted provisional approval for it to be given to children aged 5 to 11. Audio
Omicron making its way into community 'by no means inevitable' - Bloomfield
While it's not inevitable Omicron will leak into the community, Dr Ashley Bloomfield says he will be speaking to ministers today about speeding up the vaccine booster rollout. Audio
Omicron's here: should boosters be brought forward urgently?
A Covid modeller says the virus booster programme should be rolled out as soon as possible saying without it, we could see tens of thousands of cases a day of the new omicron variant. Cabinet… Audio
Covid-19: Tairawhiti DHB CEO on sixth positive wastewater result
A sixth positive detection of Covid-19 in Tairāwhiti's wastewater has got health officials in a bind.
The latest sample taken on Tuesday adds to a string of positive results recorded over the past… Audio
Covid-19: Expert on jabs for kids approval
Parents and caregivers will soon get the opportunity to have their five-to-11-year-olds vaccinated against Covid-19.
Medsafe has granted provisional approval for the vaccine for children in this age… Audio
Covid-19: One case spent more than two months in hospital
A person with Covid-19 spent 61 days in hospital - the longest period for any cases in Auckland and Northland in the current outbreak.
Figures released to RNZ under the Official Information Act also… Audio
Covid-19: Scientist wants MIQ maintained, tighter restrictions
A science expert says wants Aotearoa's MIQ system maintained and endorses a host of tighter restrictions to prevent Omicron entering the Aotearoa community.
The infectious Covid-19 variant has been… Audio
Covid-19: Queen cancels Christmas due to Omicron
The Queen has cancelled her Christmas plans due to the threat of Omicron.
It comes as England chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned everyone to reconsider their Christmas plans, to… Audio
Bad then, worse now: How Covid-19 will hurt retired women
Women are worse off than men in retirement - and experts predict Covid-19 will make things worse, Naomi Arnold reports.
Covid-19: Omicron making its way into community not inevitable - Bloomfield
The Director-General of Health says it's not inevitable that the Omicron Covid-19 variant will make its way in to the community.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield is recommending a third vaccine dose before the… Audio
Covid-19: Call for national vaccination day in schools
There's a call for a nationwide vaccination day in schools once the Covid-19 jab for children gains final approval.
Medsafe has granted provisional approval for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for… Audio
Covid-19: Omicron arrival puts pressure on for boosters
The pressure's on to get vaccine booster shots into more arms much faster with the arrival of Omicron in the country.
One person in managed isolation in Christchurch has the highly transmissible… Audio
Omicron in NZ: Experts advise speeding up vaccine boosters
At present, New Zealanders have to wait at six months between receiving their second vaccine dose and a booster, but some health experts are calling for that to be shortened.
Covid-19: France bans British people due to Omicron fears
British people are being banned from France as the country tries to slow the spread of Omicron.
From Saturday, only French citizens, British people living in France, or those visiting family will be… Audio
Covid-19: More restrictions on entry to NZ needed after Omicron - Baker
An epidemiologist says the reopening of the trans-tasman bubble must be postponed, and any loosening of MIQ protocols reviewed urgently.
Keeping the border secure is critical, according to Michael… Audio
Covid-19: Rural hospitals feel sidelined by government funding
The Rural Hospital Network says it has been affected by a case of postcode lottery in the government's plan to upgrade many hospitals to deal with Covid-19.
The plan includes a $100 million boost to… Audio
Relax immigration, open new medical school to tackle health worker shortage - National MP
Dr Shane Reti says the National Party would relax immigration rules, fast track nurses and doctors onshore into residency programmes and possibly open another medical school to help build the health… Audio
Covid-19: Omicron case found in Christchurch MIQ
The Director-General of Health has confirmed the country's first case of the Omicron variant has been found at a MIQ facility in Christchurch. Watch his media conference live here.
