76 new cases of COVID-19 in NZ as flu vaccines roll out for at-risk

By MiNDFOOD

76 new cases of COVID-19 in NZ as flu vaccines roll out for at-risk
There are 76 new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. The total number of cases is now 589.

There are no new deaths today, and 12 people are in hospital with 2 in intensive care. 63 have recovered.

Out of 455 cases where health officials have enough information, 57% have a direct link to overseas travel, 26% are close contacts, 15% are overseas travel and close contact, 2% community transmission.

Flu vaccines prioritised for elderly and at-risk

The government is also rolling out the flu vaccines as a key part of the COVID-19 response.

“Flu vaccination is going to be an important part of our overall approach to COVID-19,” explained Dr Bloomfield. “If we vaccinate people then we can reduce pressure on our hospital system, particularly through winter.”

Those who will be prioritised people over 65, ones with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women, children with respiratory illness and frontline workers.

Health officials say there are plenty of flu vaccines to go around but are asking the rest of the public to wait until they are available in mid-April.

Dr Bloomfield also asks people to register on FluTracker, which will help them track the flu and COVID-19 in New Zealand. Go to www.info.flutracking.net to register.

3 arrests for breaching lockdown as majority of Kiwis comply

Police Commissioner Mike Bush says the majority of Kiwis are “complying brilliantly’ to the new lockdown rules. Yesterday, the police set up an online site – www.police.govt.nz/105support – where people can submit suspected lockdown breaches. Since launching yesterday, the police have had 4,200 reports which crashed the system. Bush says the site is back up and running now.

Some of the cases of non-compliance include tourists. “We have tourists who think it’s okay to drive around the country in their campervans,” he says.

So far, the police have arrested 3 people for persistent breaches of the lockdown. Bush says that family violence and harm has reduced, after an initial rise following the lockdown. The police have also seen a massive decline in public violence and general arrests.

2 staff members from the police have tested positive for COVID-19 and they are now at home recovering.

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