Michael Baker

Covid cases in Auckland have jumped by 50 per cent in just a few weeks - something which experts say could be a warning to the rest of the country.

On Thursday 3888 were reported in Auckland alone.

… Audio

An epidemiologist is predicting New Zealand's Covid-19 case numbers will rise again over coming months - resulting in increased hospitalisations and deaths.

Professor Michael Baker isn't surprised at… Audio

The first local case of the Omicron XE variant - perhaps better described as a recombinant of the better known BA1 and BA2 sublineages - was reported over the long weekend.

XE may or may not be… Audio

Some health officials may have argued for MIQ to be mothballed three months earlier than what happened - something we've been hearing a lot about this morning - but the University of Otago's Michael… Audio

Today COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced New Zealand will move to the orange setting of the Covid Protection Framework at midnight tonight. We speak to Michael Baker in response to the… Audio

The government is set to review the Covid-19 traffic light system this week.

It would be considering a move from red to orange.

Last time the settings were reviewed Cabinet opted to keep the entire… Audio

A leading New Zealand epidemiologist is calling for 'serious investment' into Pacific health services and housing. Audio

Professor Michael Baker is back with us for a Covid-19 update. He discusses reservations about the mandates coming off tomorrow, trial data on booster shots for 12-17 year olds, and whether New… Audio

The future of Covid-19 management begins this weekend.

The traffic light system remains, but some gathering limits will be raised at the RED setting - including letting hospitality venues serve up to… Audio

Covid-19 deaths and hospitalisations remain low in Te Wai Pounamu as the Omicron wave washes through the south.

Experts say it's still too early to celebrate with cases on the rise.

Timothy Brown… Audio

Twenty-two people with Covid-19 have died in New Zealand in the past three days - that's nearly a 5th of the country's total death toll since the virus arrived here more than two years ago. We've… Audio

Panellists Verity Johnson and Conor English talk to Michael Baker about exercising when self-isolating and share what they have been thinking. Audio

Professor Michael Baker talks to Jesse about the rapid rise in cases and why people shouldn't be alarmed. Audio

The country will move to Phase Two of the Government's Omicron plan from midnight tonight, with the number of daily Covid cases likely to pass the one-thousand mark today. This comes after three… Audio

Epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker said late last week, the number of actual covid infections was likely to be ten times the number that had been reported. And then today - a record number of 981… Audio

The phased border reopening will begin at one-minute-to the 28th of February.

Māni Dunlop gets expert analysis of the plan from Otago University professor of epidemiology Michael Baker. Audio

Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker says his heart goes out to Charlotte Bellis and others desperate to return to Aotearoa.

Bellis is currently pregnant and stuck in Afghanistan after missing out… Audio

A top epidemiologist thinks New Zealand could see a better Omicron scenario than what a highly respected overseas health research organisation is modelling. 

New Zealand could be facing 50,000 daily… Audio

Epidemiologist Michael Baker says tough isolation rules around Omicron cases should ease once the outbreak takes hold in the community.

Household contacts of a positive case could end up isolating… Audio

Data modellers believe half of all New Zealanders could be infected with Omicron within four months.

The highly infectious Covid-19 variant is circulating in Auckland, and possibly in the Nelson… Audio