As doctors fear NZ's health system would quickly collapse in the face of the Delta variant, the Government warns of a swift Level 4 lockdown to deal with any outbreaks.
With the Government hours away from responding to an expert report on reopening the borders , doctors say they fear New Zealand’s health system would quickly collapse in the face of a Delta outbreak .
College of General Practitioners medical director Dr Bryan Betty says the system is poorly resourced to deal with an outbreak similar to that happening in New South Wales .
Yesterday’s border reopening advice backs up those concerns, revealing New Zealand has the second-fewest intensive care beds per capita in the OECD.
It comes as the Government reveals even a handful of Delta cases in the community would lead to a “short, sharp move” to Alert Level 4 lockdown .
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealand needs to “take the lessons” from NSW where contact tracing has been unable to keep up with the highly transmissible Delta variant.
The Government is expected to further elaborate on plans for addressing the continuing pandemic today.
It comes as some experts say changes need to be made to New Zealand’s vaccine rollout in order to increase the number of adults receiving their first jab.
Immunologist Professor Graham Le Gros says second jabs should be delayed as it will lead to better immunity against Covid and will also increase the number of people who have been vaccinated at least once, which “would actually greatly protect our population”.
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Nurse shortage revealed
Amid those concerns for New Zealand’s health system in the event of a Covid surge, some DHBs are already experiencing staff shortages.
Auckland and Northland are down 600 nurses, which is taking a toll on nurses and patients alike . Nurse shortages have also been reported in Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.
The problem is being exacerbated by border closures, making offshore recruitment difficult, while the Covid vaccination rollout is also using up some experienced staff.
The NZ Nurses Organisation is due to enter another round of negotiations over pay and conditions today, with nurses walking off the job for eight hours next Thursday if no agreement is reached.
Meanwhile, midwives will also take to the streets to protest their own pay and working conditions today.
Around 1500 hospital midwives have been holding rolling eight-hour strikes all week, which saw six DHBs cancel non-urgent caesarean births and other surgical procedures yesterday.
Sex change law a step closer
Legislation making it easier to change a person's sex on their birth certificate passed its second reading in Parliament last night with the support of all political parties .
Parts of the legislation have been contentious for some who believe it’s a threat to women’s rights. However, Waikato University Transgender Health Research’s Jack Byrne says allowing somebody to change their birth certificate doesn’t impact anybody else’s rights.
Currently, individuals looking to change their gender marker must go through the Family Court and provide medical proof. Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti says this process should be made easier.
The bill will now take the unusual path of going back to the select committee, where public feedback will also be included.
MIQ frustrations continue
Returning Kiwis are competing with foreign sportspeople and Antarctic staff for coveted spots in managed isolation.
RNZ reports the Government has taken a larger allocation of available MIQ spaces for its own projects and policies, including overseas competitors in a mountain bike festival and the Winter Games. Hundreds of international workers are also expected to come through MIQ on their way to Antarctica.
Meanwhile, Indonesia and Fiji have joined the list of nations New Zealand deems as very high risk due to the pandemic. The move limits travel from both countries .
Other countries considered very high risk by the New Zealand Government include India, Brazil, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.
Churchill portrait sparks squabble
National party leader Judith Collins says the Green Party’s decision to move a portrait of Sir Winston Churchill at Parliament is “disrespectful” and “outrageous”.
Her dismay over the matter prompted a lengthy speech by Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson in the House, as he joked about National’s artwork views .
But the Greens say they simply want a piece of art by a New Zealander in the space, while Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters she personally doesn’t care where portraits hang in parliament .
Other news of note this morning:
- The Government is walking back a statement that “commercial decisions” led to Monday night’s widespread power failures in the North Island.
- Covid-19 lockdown and border restrictions have seen New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions drop to a seven-year low .
- Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt says he’s been traumatised by workplace bullying as his deputy pushes for a vote of no confidence.
- The Government says Olympians currently in MIQ facilities will be treated the same as everyone else in their applications for exemptions to attend cyclist Olivia Podmore’s funeral.
- The Christchurch City Council will review the seating capacity of its proposed stadium today after a petition was signed by tens of thousands of residents.
- And a teacher who’s returned to the classroom in her 60s proves it’s never too late for a career change .
And finally...
There's an old saying that “a house is not a home until it has a cat” but a new housing development in Auckland flat out rejects that notion. In fact, you can only buy a home there if you don’t have a feline friend in your life.
While conservationists are applauding the move, others like Pussy Palace owner Anne Batley Burton say cats are being unfairly demonised.
Seven Sharp’s Nina Burton heads out to get both sides of that argument .
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