Covid 19
Midday News for 24 May 2022
The covid traffic light flashes orange.
A grim milestone of human suffering with more than 100 million people homeless due to conflicts. Audio
Covid-19: NZ to stay at orange traffic light setting - Hipkins
New Zealand will stay in the 'orange' traffic light setting ahead of the Omicron winter spike, the government has announced.
Omicron tail hitting businesses struggling to recover
Businesses battling to make up for lost earnings due to Covid, are now grappling with a second wave of the virus side-lining staff.
Some are resorting to hiring 'Covid fill-ins' to cover staff… Audio
Covid-19 update: Nine further deaths, 6000 community cases reported in New Zealand
Nine people have died with Covid-19 and another 6000 cases have been detected in the community, the Ministry of Health says.
Wellington mayor Andy Foster tests positive for Covid-19
Andy Foster returned a positive RAT test yesterday evening after developing symptoms.
Prof Baker: dominance of Omicron BA2, monkeypox
Back home now where the number of new Covid case yesterday dropped below 5-thousand for the first time in three months. So a positive sign but the majority of new cases are now thought to be of the… Audio
Tom Sainsbury: I'm Listening to This
Beloved Kiwi comedian Tom Sainsbury is busy as ever. He's about to hit the road with his nationwide Snapchat Dude Live! tour. The 15-stop tour, which kicks off in New Plymouth next Sunday, will see… Audio
You're probably cleaning all wrong, according to science
Cleaning has never played a bigger role in our lives than it does today. Whether it's wiping down workplace surfaces or disinfecting supermarket trolley handles, we're doing it all more… Audio
Covid-19: How come there are so many Omicron variants?
We've all heard about new Omicron subvariants with such names as BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5. The recent proliferation of variants begs the question: is Covid-19 mutating faster than ever before? Dr Sebastian… Audio
Poll: Kiwis in favour of earlier reopening of the borders
Two weeks ago, Jacinda Ardern announced that our borders would fully reopen (including to cruise ships and international students) on July 31 - two months earlier than initially planned. A new poll… Audio
The week in Detail: Volcanoes, elections, shipping and apples
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. Catch up on any episodes you might have missed. Audio
Southland Hospital wards remain closed to visitors
Three wards at Southland Hospital continue to remain closed to visitors following a Covid-19 outbreak.
Covid-19 update: 17 further deaths, 7800 cases reported
There have been another 7800 new community cases of Covid-19 and another 17 deaths with the virus reported by the Ministry of Health today.
Covid-19 update: Five more deaths, 9091 new community cases
There are 9091 new community cases of Covid-19 and five further deaths being reported today.
Expert on the future of the Covid-19 Response Act
Covid-19 Response Minsiter Chris Hipkins says he has always felt uncomfortable about the extraordinary powers given to government under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act.
He told the Health… Audio
Hybrid work lifestyle may be here to stay post-pandemic
The era of hybrid working could be upon us for good as inner city businesses invite employees back into the office.
Top Stories for Thursday 19 May 2022
It's Budget Day and the pressure is on for the Government to ease the 'cost of living crisis' facing New Zealanders, and we speak to political and business editors about what we should expect in the… Audio
Govt claims of equitable pandemic response 'tone deaf' - Te Pāti Māori
"Tangata whenua had to defend themselves in the first lockdown, we put up borders, we set up systems within the iwi and within the rural areas to be able to cope whilst waiting for a vaccine. So no…
Antibody testing underused to help long Covid sufferers - expert
Experts say antibody testing is being under-utilised as a tool to help long Covid sufferers - who never tested positive on a RAT.
One in five people who've had Covid are still experiencing symptoms… Audio
Covid-19 pre-departure testing and mandate changes on the table - Hipkins
Scrapping pre-departure tests will come "sooner rather than later", and more advice is being sought on whether people with adverse reactions could be exempt from workforce mandates.
