COVID-19 Update #91 - 21 Hakihea 2021 Rātū, 21 Hakihea 2021COVID-19 Update Pānui no. #91.If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 Ngā mihi mana hau, hau, hau, ki ā koutou katoa, E ngā hau tipua, ngā hau toa, o ngā waka hauora o ngā iwi tēnā koutou katoa. Kua tukunga ngā hoe kia whakatā, kia noho piri tātou mē te whānau mō ēnei rā o te raumati. He wā whakahaumaru anō tēnei, kia pai ai ngā mahi, kia tiaki anō tētahi i tētahi. Ko te aroha nui ki tō tātou tamaiti i mate i te ngāngara Kōwheori, i tēra wiki, 10 tau noaiho te pakeke. E tama moe mai i te poho o ō Mātua Tupuna. Ki te whānau pāni, ko te wā te rongoa mō ngā meā katoa, engari i tēnei wā e tangi, e tangi. Kāti ake e tātou mā kia kaha tonu tātou. It has been a tough year for whānau and it is likely that times may continue to be difficult over the coming Christmas and New Year break. The recent dropping of the borders around Tāmaki Makaurau has meant that whānau can once again be reunited with those they have not seen for months, and there has no doubt been some emotional reunions around the country already. As this is our last pānui for 2021, I wish we could have ended with better news, however, the outbreak of Omicron has put a damper on some plans and serves as another reminder of how quickly Covid-19 can evolve and spread. The Government has announced its plans to reduce the risk of Omicron to Aotearoa, which is now in more than 70 countries, including MIQ in Aotearoa. Some of these plans include reducing the wait time between the second Pfizer vaccine and the booster shot from six months to four months. In addition, the Government has delayed the start of non-MiQ (Managed Self-Isolation) international travel from 17 January 2022 to the end of February 2022. Current situation There are 28 community cases of Covid-19 reported today.
There have been 22 confirmed cases of Omicron in total since its arrival in Aotearoa, and all except one are currently in managed isolation. This one case has recovered and has since been released as they are no longer infectious. Tamariki Vaccinations Cabinet has also announced that the vaccine rollout for children between the ages of 5 and 11 is due to begin on January 17, 2021. Dr de Lore, Māori pediatrician with Lakes DHB in Rotorua, said that Māori pediatricians were aiming to make sure correct, reliable information from people that whānau trusted was available. "A successful programme will be delivered in partnership with iwi and Māori health providers, including sharing of data," Dr de Lore says. "Māori and Pacific organisations have already demonstrated that they know how to deliver vaccination programmes effectively in their own communities." Asked if the government was advised to prioritise tamariki Māori child vaccinations, Dr de Lore said, "I think the indications from the government are that they are listening, they are taking on board those lessons from previous vaccination rollouts". Vaccination Rates by DHB
Whaioranga Farewell Our last Whaioranga podcast will be at 3:30pm tomorrow, 22 December 2021, and can be viewed on our Facebook page. Our Tumu Whakarae - CE Angus Hartley will deliver a Christmas message to all our whānau with a waiata and karakia whakamutunga from your Kaupapa Kaimahi. So tune in live or watch later on our social media platforms. Emergency Contacts over the Christmas Period A reminder that Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust is closed from 23 December 2021 and reopens again on 13 January 2022. While the National Tari is closed over the Christmas period, kaimahi and whānau can contact our Kaupapa Kaimahi for emergency queries: Ihipa Smallman Procurement Manager - Te Whakataunga Kaiwhakahaere 04 381 8750 and/or 021 534004 Kia whai i te ora, kia piki te ora, kia whaioranga. Nāku noa, Angus Hartley Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive |