echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0);The Mu variant of the Covid-19 virus – first found in Colombia early this year – has now been classed as a variant of interest after observations found it may evade vaccine immunity, says the University of Auckland’s Dr David Welch Different variants arise as the virus constantly mutates. Continue →

echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0);International researchers have conducted a review of the published scientific evidence on early infection control, and identified seven strategies that they say are essential for stopping not just COVID-19, but any future pandemic While various elements of a find, test, trace, isolate, and support (FTTIS) system have long been core elements of public health, COVID-19 infection has some specific characteristics, such as silent transmission, a strong age gradient in disease severity, plus other features that remain poorly understood, say the researchers. Continue →

echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0);New modelling shows 83 per cent of all New Zealanders need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before we can safely remove public health restrictions The trans-Tasman bubble has been a step closer to normality with some semblance of overseas travel returning. Continue →

echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0);The Ministry of Health states vaping products have the potential to improve public health despite lack of evidence on long term effects E-cigarettes made their debut in the early 2000s as a potential cessation device or an alternative to cigarette products. Continue →

echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0);The Government will reform New Zealand’s entire health system and scrap DHBs in place of one national organisation, but experts question whether these changes will properly address the issues in our healthcare industry More than eight decades of health reform have failed, and the current landscape of public and private healthcare interests is unstable, say New Zealand researchers Murray Horn and Des Gorman. Continue →

When we look at the cost of COVID-19 and ask “how did it catch us out?” the unpalatable answer is – it shouldn’t have, says World Nano Foundation co-founder Paul Sheedy With the human and economic costs of COVID still rising, all nations surely know they must invest in technology and innovation against ongoing pandemic threats, especially after ignoring previous warning signs. Continue →

Since July 2020, New Zealand has had at least 10 border control failures and at least five “internal MIQ facility failures” involving the spread of COVID-19 between returnees Prof Nick Wilson, Dr Leah Grout, Prof Michael Baker – University of Otago There have been ongoing system improvements to address these failures, but hotel-based facilities have inherent problems with shared spaces and inadequate ventilation, as recognised in WHO guidance. Continue →

The Simpson Review highlights the dysfunctionality of the current secular DHBs, but there is doubt that Health Minister David Clark can deliver on the report’s promises Two years ago, Heather Simpson, former PM Helen Clark’s chief-of-staff, was tasked with leading a massive review into the New Zealand health and disability sector, with pretty much every aspect of it on the table. Continue →

Today’s national assessment of our health assets shows that our health infrastructure is on life support and points to systemic weaknesses in the ways we plan, fund, and deliver our social infrastructure,” says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Paul Blair Today, the Ministry of Health released its report of the National Asset Management Programme for district health boards (DHBs). Continue →