1 Dec 2022

Rising Covid-19 cases: Immunologist urges summer holiday prep

3:34 pm on 1 December 2022
Collage of Covid molecules and sunbathers on beach

Photo: 123rf.com - RNZ / Composite Image - RNZ

An immunologist is reminding people to be prepared in case they catch Covid-19 during their summer holiday.

Cases of the virus in New Zealand have been trending upwards, with 6000 daily cases reported on Tuesday - a quarter of which were reinfections - up from a peak of 4000 a fortnight prior.

Expectations are the rate could rise to 11,000 cases a day over summer, and modellers have warned about the risks posed by end-of-year Christmas parties.

Immunolgist Dr Anthony Jordan told Morning Report it was important to remind people to be prepared to deal with the virus over the Christmas break, and plan - in case they became a case.

"I think raising awareness again, just because cases are going up, about what we can do to prevent the spread of Covid," he said.

"How we take care of each other and what treatments - think about antivirals, for example, that are available - and if you were to fall ill over the holiday period, if your GP's closed where do you go next."

"I think it's just really getting the message out there about what you can do if you fall ill with Covid and who'll be there to support you."

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