Auckland moves to level ‘2.5’
As of Monday, 31 August, Auckland is now in COVID-19 alert level ‘2.5’. Unlike the rest of the country which is at level 2, gatherings in Auckland are restricted to 10 people and funerals and tangihanga at 50.
Masks are now mandatory on public transport and planes for everyone over 12 years old. Those not complying with the face mask mandate could face a $300 fine.
While that is the only mask mandate, Jacinda Ardern is urging Aucklanders to wear face masks when in public.
“If you go to a shop wear a mask. If you go to a mall where a mask. Basically when you step out of your home we are asking you if you can please wear a mask,” she said.
Victoria records lowest week of cases since July
Australia’s state of Victoria recorded 114 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday 30 August, marking the first week since early July that daily cases have been below 200.
Meanwhile, a growing cluster from Sydney’s City Tattersalls Club has caused concern for authorities, leading to restrictions on aged care facilities.
Health authorities have advised anyone who lives or works in Greater Sydney or Central Coast to not visit aged care facilities until 12 September.
Study finds obesity increases risk of COVID-19 death by 48 per cent
A study, led by the University of North Carolina, Saudi Health Council and World Bank, has found that obesity increases the risk of dying from COVID-19 by 48 per cent.
According to the data, those with obesity (defined as BMI over 30) had a 113 per cent higher risk of ending up in hospital with COVID-19 and a 74 per cent higher risk of needing intensive care.
The researchers concluded that people with obesity often suffered from underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of COVID-19, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Italian volunteer gets first dose of vaccine
A volunteer from Rome is the first person to be injected with a dose of Italy’s Grad-Cov2 COVID-19 vaccine, made by biotech company ReiThera.
“I am excited and proud. I hope I can be useful to our people,” said the volunteer. “I hope [I] can help to save lives and that people are increasingly responsible for not putting themselves and others at risk.”
The patient will be checked every four hours for side effects before going home to be monitored over the next 12 weeks. Another 90 volunteers are expected to be injected with the vaccine in the coming weeks.
