Source: Covid-19 New Zealand Government Announcements
Update from the Ministry of Health
We are continuing to remind people of the importance of not only protecting against COVID-19 but also protecting against influenza and other winter ills and chills. Much of the advice is the same:
Stay at home if you are unwell. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, take a COVID-19 test. If your symptoms worsen, or you are concerned about the health of yourself or someone you’re caring for, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or your doctor/healthcare provider. Calls to Healthline are free and the service operates 24/7 with interpreters available.
Wear a face mask. It is a requirement to wear a face mask when on public transport, in indoor settings like retail stores and supermarkets, when in poorly ventilated spaces, or when it is hard to physically distance from other people.
Maintain good hand hygiene by washing and drying your hands thoroughly or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue. Avoid touching your face, dispose of tissues in a waste bin immediately, and wash or sanitise your hands.
Develop a winter plan for your whānau so family members know what to do if people become unwell. Familiarise yourself with what is expected of you by your employer if you become sick yourself.
Get your Winter Wellness Kit together, for example painkillers, a thermometer, tissues, enough food and household items for a few days, and a good stock of the regular medicines you or your whānau will need. Honey is helpful to have on hand for a sore throat.
Eat well and stay active. Healthy eating and physical activity play an important part in our overall health and wellbeing, including our bodies’ ability to fight off illness. Getting a good night’s sleep also helps.
Make sure you and your whānau are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations and have had a flu vaccination. COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone and flu vaccination is free for many people. It is also a good time to check that children are up to date with all their routine free vaccinations especially measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
COVID-19 deaths
Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 9 people with COVID-19.
Today’s reported deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with COVID-19 to 1,415 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths is 13.
Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today, 2 were from the Auckland region, 2 from the Bay of Plenty, 2 from Wellington, 2 from Canterbury, and 1 from South Canterbury.
One person was in their 40s, 1 was in their 60s, 1 was in their 70s, 4 were in their 80s and 2 were aged over 90. Of these people, 6 were women and 3 were men.
This is a very sad time for whānau and friends and our thoughts and condolences are with them. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment on these deaths.
Read the full update on today’s cases | health.govt.nz (external link)
