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The vast majority of people dying with Covid in New Zealand are over 70, and our oldest residents are dying at higher than expected rates.
Friday's cases take the total number of active community cases to 99,185 and the total number of confirmed cases in New Zealand to 671,254.
There are 13,475 new community cases of Covid-19 and a further 17 deaths, the Ministry of Health released in an update on Friday afternoon.
Forty-nine cases were identified at the border.
There are 764 people in hospital with the virus, 31 are in an intensive care or high dependency unit.
Vaccination rates
As of 11.59pm on March 31 , more than 2.5 million booster shots had been given nationally.
Of the eligible people aged 12 and over, 96 per cent have had their first dose , 95 per cent their second, and 72 per cent have had their booster.
For Māori, aged 12+, 91 per cent have had their first dose, 88 per cent their second and 57 per cent the booster. For Pacific peoples, aged 12+, 98 per cent had their first dose, 96 per cent their second and 59 per cent their booster.
Global toll
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows more than 489 million people have been infected with Sars-CoV-2, and more than 6 million have died. Vaccination efforts are continuing with 10.9 billion doses administered around the world.
What should I do?
During phase 3 act as if you have Covid-19, Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says.
Free rapid antigen tests can now be ordered online from a new Ministry of Health website. Anyone with symptoms can order a test on the RAT requester site and collect it from 146 sites nationwide.
Anyone who wants to get tested can find their local testing centres by visiting the Ministry of Health website.
If you are sick, call your GP before you visit, or Healthline on 0800 358 5453. To avoid contracting and spreading the virus, wash your hands properly, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow and throw tissues away immediately.
Reach out, find support from people who care, connect with your community or help a neighbour in need.
3 comments
Don't Panic!
Posted on 03-04-2022 13:37 | By morepork
I'm over 70 and I tested positive 4 days ago, despite taking all sensible precautions. I am fully vaxxed and boostered, and in good health. I eat sensibly and swim 2 KM every week. It hasn't been so bad. The initial stuffed head and sore throat were overcome with chicken soup (made from scratch with garlic, celery, and carrots), gargles, and 6 hourly doses (during the day) of Vit C (2500mgm). No worse than recovering from a bad cold. Support from my Doctor, the neighbours, and the DHB has been excellent, and it does make a difference. I still have tightness in the chest and the sweating ( I change garments at least twice a day) tells me the battle with the virus is proceeding, but I feel I am winning. Even if you are old, this virus is survivable. Don't just roll over, fight it!
Don't Panic! (2)
Posted on 03-04-2022 14:00 | By morepork
Jonesy's advice was never more apposite... don't panic. There are two aspects to dealing with it: physical and mental. The physical ones I covered in part 1 (proper diet (no junk, no alcohol - maybe ONE glass of red with dinner), supplements and Vitamin C - essential. You won't feel like eating much, but you need protein. I resorted to a steak sandwich with Vogel's bread, vegemite, and mixed salad leaves...delicious and nutritious). But the mental defence is every bit as important. I'm used to being alone, but, even so, a daily visit for a chat, from one of my neighbours, (no contact and her outside the house) has made a huge difference to my overall well-being. Moral support is almost vital, whether by phone or in person. Drink plenty of fluids, relax, but keep your mind busy. For me, a good time for writing, puzzles, Netflix... KiaKaha!
Fourth vaccine
Posted on 03-04-2022 14:32 | By Kancho
Other countries are now doing a second booster for people aged over 50 years old. The fourth jab for Americans, etc Bet our government has absolutely no plan and will talk about it for many months which is par for the course. They should be getting on to it for the most vulnerable with other health problems really soon regardless of age then for older people as possible hey do with flu jabs. More will die than is necessary, again asleep at the wheel
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