COVID-19 Update #77 - 12 Whiringa-ā -Rangi 2021 Rāmere, 12 Whiringa-ā-.Rangi 2021COVID-19 Update Pānui no. #77.If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 COVID-19 Pānui no. 77 Me he pioke he āwheo mō te Kōhanga reo he taonga tuku iho ngā te Atua He tāonga e kore e ngaro i ngā tau whakahuihui I ngā tau takaoriori For all those who work, volunteer, support and whāngai our mokopuna in Kōhanga Reo, a reminder that next week, on Monday 15 November, will be the last day to get your first dose of the vaccine, if you haven’t already done so. A huge mihi to all those that have made the choice to make the health and wellbeing of our mokopuna, kaimahi, whānau and Kaupapa a priority by getting your vaccinations. In our podcasts over the past couple of days, we have had the pleasure of tuning in with several of our Kaupapa kaimahi and Kōhanga Reo whānau whānui from across the motu as they shared their vaccination efforts with us and told us about their ‘why’. Kei runga noa atu koutou! But we know that some are still hesitant about the vaccine or have made the choice not to be vaccinated. E te whānau kia whai aroha ki te tangata, this is a difficult time for all of us, however, this is a government order and is not negotiable. In yesterday’s pānui, we outlined the employment process should kaimahi, volunteers, kaihāpai remain unvaccinated as of the 16 of November, and we have included that kōrero again in this pānui. There maybe a few strategies you wish to utilise as whānau before terminating contracts, such as getting whānau who are vaccinated in to awhi for a short while, having one on one wānanga with Kaimahi who are worried about their health, and talking to your hauora service or a medical expert about your concerns. Contact your District Office for support or reach out to us at the Trust for advice. You can also view our Podcast on Facebook and Youtube today with Andrew Hema, Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust HR Manager, with some kōrero that may guide your decisions. Ko te Kōhanga Reo te wāhi ka whakatōhia te kākāno, te wairua māori ki roto i te mokopuna. Kōhanga Reo is where the spiritual seed of our mokopuna is nurtured. It is up to us to protect them and their space. E hoa mā these are challenging times and there is more to come, ka kaha kia tātou. For those who have had their first or both doses, ngā mihi. To those who are unsure, kimihia, rangahaua te huarahi tika kia whaioranga ai tātou katoa. E te whānau ahakoa te aha he whānau kotahi tātou i raro i te Atua, kia kaha tātou ki a tātou. Arohanui. Current Situation Today, there are 201 new cases in the community:
This brings our total community cases in the current outbreak to 5,196.
The average age of hospitalisations now sits at 53. Last night, the Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed a positive case in Taranaki, which was included in today’s case figures. A further five cases in Taranaki were also reported last night and will be included in tomorrow’s figures. All six cases tested positive yesterday evening and come from the same household in Stratford, including one who was admitted to hospital yesterday evening. The five remaining cases, who are all isolating at home, have been linked. Anyone who resides in Stratford or have recently visited the town are urged to get tested. In Waikato, there were fifteen overnight: five from Ōtorohanga, three from Hamilton, three from Ngāruawāhia, two from Raglan, one from Te Kuiti, and one location still be investigated. Four cases have been linked and investigations are ongoing to determine the links for the remaining cases. Three of Northland’s cases are close contacts of existing cases, and one is still under investigation. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with whānau who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Dr. Caroline McElnay stated that this week has been tragic and “a very real reminder that the more people that get Covid-19, sadly the more deaths we are likely to see”. We must continue to remember the fatality of the virus and encourage more of our whānau and friends to get vaccinated. Deputy Prime Minister, Grant Robertson, revealed that 20 percent (1,039) of cases in the current outbreak have been aged under 12, including babies. This alarming figure emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated for our tamariki and mokopuna who are not yet eligible for the vaccine. According to Minister Robertson, this figure is also the reason for the Government’s implementation of the mandatory vaccinations for education staff. Having Kōhanga Reo kaimahi vaccinated provides an extra layer of protection for our whānau and wider community, but most importantly, our babies. Vaccination Rates of Eligible People by DHB (with active cases) Many DHBs across the motu are very close to hitting the 90 percent single dose mark, with at least six DHBs having already reached it.
Māori Statistics to reach 90% For the Māori roll-out, 424,366 (76%) of our whānau have received one dose, and 325,390 (59%) are fully vaccinated. Ministry of Education Updates As you are aware, without vaccines, we are at risk of serious illness, disability, or even death from things like the measles, meningitis, pneumonia, and now COVID-19. It remains critical that all kaimahi working on site at Kōhanga Reo are vaccinated against Covid. Vaccination is a highly effective way of further reducing the risk of serious illness caused by Covid-19. When used together with ventilation measures, staying home if sick (and getting tested), face coverings (where applicable), heightened cleaning measures, and physical distancing, they are our best chance at protecting ourselves, and those around us, from coronavirus. Vaccines permitted under the Order The Order allows for any of the following vaccines:
The AstraZeneca vaccine is likely to become available in late November for people who cannot have the Pfizer for medical reasons. This is estimated to cover only a few hundred people, as well as those who need to be immunised against COVID-19 because of the nature of their work, such as kaimahi working in education services. Reminder: What to do after 15 November On 16 November, unvaccinated kaimahi will not be able to work on site and alternative duties should be explored, where possible. If this is not practicable, consider providing leave while you work through any other alternative options that may be available in their circumstances. As we have previously stated, Kōhanga Reo whānau management should consult with any kaimahi to establish why they are not vaccinated, with no predetermined outcome, and you should consider their response before taking action. If the kaimahi is willing to be vaccinated, you should tautoko them to do so. This support could include providing immediate time away from their duties to receive a Pfizer vaccine. You could also provide alternative duties or discretionary special leave to them to enable the kaimahi to receive AstraZeneca vaccine when it becomes available from late November. This leave may be unpaid. If the kaimahi continues to advise they will not be vaccinated, then you should follow the process provided by the MoE. Travel across regional boundaries Recent amendments to the Public Health Response Order means all kaimahi and tamariki can travel across Alert Level 3 boundaries to get to and from work or Kōhanga Reo. This applies to travel into both Alert Level 3 and Level 2 areas. Testing requirements will apply to kaimahi travelling back and forth across the Tāmaki Makaurau boundary. For example, you must have evidence of a negative test result from no more than seven days before travelling back and forth across the boundary on a regular basis. For more information on this crossing of boundaries, please refer to the Unite Against COVID-19 website. NB: You do not need a test if you are moving between Alert Level 3 and 2 areas within the Waikato region. Pānui Reminders All our pānui are uploaded to our Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust website. You can access our past pānui here. Tikanga Haumaru – Level 2 Basic Guidelines
Tikanga Haumaru – Step 2 of Alert Level 3 Retail can operate, with customers able to enter premises, wearing face coverings and keeping 2 metres distance. Public facilities like libraries and museums can reopen, with face coverings and 2 metre physical distancing required. Outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people can go ahead. Tikanga Haumaru – Stage 1 of Tāmaki/Waikato Roadmap Whānau can connect with their loved ones outdoors, with up to 10 people from no more than two households. The reason for outdoor gatherings is because the natural ventilation outside makes it hard for the virus to spread, which makes outdoor gatherings the safest option. People are still encouraged to wear face masks when meeting people outside of their bubble. Kōhanga Reo Bubbles of 10 children, parents must wear masks during drop-off and pick-up. Kōhanga Reo kaimahi, including any contractors/volunteers who are in regular contact with tamariki, must get tested every seven days until they are fully vaccinated. Recreation/Tangihanga Can move around the city to visit the beach, hunting and fishing is also permitted. Stay outside and keep to groups of no more than 10 people. There is a limit of 10 people (including staff) at tangi. For any further assistance, ring 0800 KOHANGA or 0800 564 2642 Kia hāneanea ngā rangi whakatā, kia pai te haere, kia haumaru. Nāku noa, Angus Hartley Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive |