Covid 19
List of Auckland Omicron-related locations of interest grows
A number of close contact Omicron-related locations of interest in Auckland and Nelson have been added to the Ministry of Health's website today.
School expects up to half of staff could be in isolation at Omicron's peak
One primary school principal in Māngere East says since the announcement of Omicron's arrival in the community, she has been thinking about how to handle predicted staff shortages. Audio
'Now is the perfect time' to get Covid-19 vaccine booster - experts
The arrival of Omicron has spurred on the country's Covid-19 vaccine rollout, with the total number of administered booster doses ticking over to one million today, and 100,000 paediatric doses now… Audio
Red restrictions will help slow spread of Omicron - immunologist
When NZ reaches peak Omicron it won't be realistic to keep isolating people and it'll be obvious we're at that tipping point; according to an Otago University immunolgist.
So far there are 19 Omicron… Video, Audio
Booster vaccine numbers rise as Omicron looms
The unwanted arrival of Omicron appears to have spurred on the country's Covid vaccine rollout, with the number of booster doses ticking over one million today.
Other people are bringing their… Audio
Swap your cloth mask for a surgical, N-95 or P-2, experts say
Masks have been a major part of life under Covid but now Omicron has entered the community they're needed more than ever.
The government is due to update its advice on masks this week but experts are… Video, Audio
Lack of rapid antigen tests disappointing - Business NZ boss
How will critical businesses like food production and freight keep the wheels turning when the full force of omicron hits?
One modeller predicts it could infect up to half the population and… Video, Audio
Emergency services warn Omicron will make staff shortages worse
Emergency services could be facing their own 111 crisis with a warning; they too could be hit by the Omicron outbreak, with already strained staff facing another massive challenge.
Thousands of… Audio
'Access to skilled and unskilled labour' major challenge for businesses
The government is being urged to explore a targeted wage subsidy and labour support for tourism and hospitality businesses as the Covid-19 restrictions are tightened up.
Covid-19 update: 25 new community cases today - 8 linked to Omicron
The Ministry of Health says to date, there are 19 community cases of Covid-19 associated with the January Omicron Cluster - all are in isolation.
Kitchen worker at Auckland rest home believed to have Omicron
An Auckland rest home kitchen worker is believed to have Omicron.
Coping with the change in pandemic approach
Jesse speaks to psychologist Sarb Johal about how the shift in dealing with COVID-19 might be affecting people's mental health. Audio
Omicron outbreak: schools prepare for red light life
Thousands of students will be returning to school from next week.
But with the entire country now under the red traffic light setting; staff, teachers, and students from year four and up must wear… Audio
Omicron outbreak: which masks are most effective?
As well as vaccines, masks are another important item to help protect us from Covid.
N95 masks have become the gold standard internationally in the fight against Omicron, and experts here say New… Audio
'No silver bullet against Omicron', expect large numbers - Hipkins
People should do everything they can against Omicron, but it's likely large numbers will be infected, the Covid-19 Response Minister says. Audio
Omicron outbreak: the evidence for booster doses
New Zealand's in the red light setting; with the highly infectious Covid variant Omicron circulating in Auckland, and possibly in the Nelson Marlborough region.
Clinical Immunologist based in… Audio
Omicron outbreak: only half of those eligible have got a booster
New Zealand's in the red light setting; with the highly infectious Covid variant Omicron circulating in Auckland, and possibly in the Nelson-Marlborough region.
The government is encouraging everyone… Audio
Up to half of NZ population could become infected with Omicron - Modeller
Covid-19 data modeller Michael Plank says a significant proportion could become infected with the variant over the course of the new outbreak, but there's still a lot of uncertainty. Audio
NZ needs to keep Delta levels low to prevent double epidemic - epidemiologist
New Zealand's plan to slow the spread of Omicron is sensible and should help to reduce the peak of the outbreak, says an epidemiologist based in Australia.
Brussels police clash with crowds protesting Covid-19 restrictions
Police in Brussels have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters near the European Commission's headquarters, after a protest involving 50,000 people opposing Covid-19 restrictions…
