Ayesha Verrall

The cabinet will decide today whether to greatly reduce the restrictions that have been in place for nearly seven weeks.

While many people are crossing their fingers that will happen, others worry… Audio

The decision has been made to extend the national lockdown at alert level 4 until midnight next Monday. In the meantime work continues at pace to prepare for what comes next. That means maintaining… Audio

The epidemiologist who audited the country's contact tracing system says New Zealand was not ready for a pandemic like Covid-19.

Ayesha Verrall from the University of Otago found the tracing system… Audio

Dr Ayesha Verrall, Infectious Diseases Doctor and Epidemiologist at the University of Otago, Wellington says rapid, mass tracing is the single most important thing New Zealand can do to get out of… Audio

An infectious diseases specialist says new, wider Covid-19 testing rules still won't test enough people to give a true picture of community transmission.

The Ministry of Health says people can now be… Audio

The Covid-19 contact tracing system is coming under increased pressure and scrutiny.

The Health Ministry says tracing is vital but admits its new national tracing centre is locked into using only its… Audio

One of the strongest weapons we have in the fight against Covid 19 is contact tracing.  Audio

What happens if a person suspected to be infected with COVID-19 is taken to hospital? We ask Dr Ayesha Verrall, Senior Lecturer, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, University of Otago. Audio

An epidemiologist says hospital resources, like beds and ventilators would be stretched if the coronavirus reaches a community outbreak.

University of Otago senior lecturer in infectious diseases… Audio