Covid 19
US considers new restrictions on travellers from China
American officials say there is a lack of transparency surrounding Covid-19 in China, as cases surge.
Chinese hospitals 'extremely busy' as Covid spreads
Chinese hospitals and funeral homes were under intense pressure as a surging Covid-19 wave drained resources, while the scale of the outbreak prompted some countries to consider new travel rules on…
No plan to reintroduce travel Covid-19 testing as China cases soar
New Zealand has no plans to test international arrivals, as some countries tighten restrictions for travellers from China where case numbers are soaring.
Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations drop, new data shows
More than 32,000 new cases have been reported in the last week, but numbers are down on the week before.
China to scrap Covid-19 quarantine rule for inbound travellers
China will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine starting from 8 January, the National Health Commission says.
Covid-19: A hospital holidays for many this Christmas
Hundreds of people are spending their Christmas in hospital with Covid, while thousands more are at home, but in isolation.
Covid in China: 37 million may have been infected in one day
Bloomberg News reported today that nearly 37 million people in China may have been infected with Covid on a single day this past week, citing estimates from the government's top health authority.
Covid drug doesn't prevent death, does quicken recovery - study
Molnupiravir didn't lower hospital admission rates in Omicron patients, but helped those with mild illnesses recover faster.
Chinese hospital delivers stark Covid-19 warning
It says half the city's 25 million people will get infected while the virus sweeps through China unchecked.
Thousands to miss Xmas thanks to Covid and how to avoid making it worse
Michael Baker estimates 85,000 people will be in isolation in three days' time.
Baby at centre of vaccinated blood stand-off discharged from hospital
The baby at the centre of a stand-off over the use of vaccinated people's blood is understood to have been discharged from Starship children's hospital.
Covid-19 business support loan scheme had room to be better - review
The government's business support loan scheme during Covid-19 restrictions has scope for improvement, according to an interim evaluation.
Provisional approval granted for Covid-19 boosters targeting Omicron variants
Medsafe has granted provisional approval for two Pfizer Covid-19 booster vaccines which target Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.4/5.
Long waits, high fees for cremation services in Beijing as Covid-19 cases surge
As China battles a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, there are growing reports that it's getting harder and harder to bury the dead.
PM defends Covid settings amid wave of reported cases
Jacinda Ardern says while the number of cases and hospitalisations is serious, the health system is better able to cope now than before.
Slouching towards Christmas in this year of Covid-19
Analysis - With the year drawing to a close, the sounds that seem to sum up the season are less jingling bells and carols, more the cough of Covid-19 and an enormous, exhausted sigh of relief, Tim…
With Covid-19 on the rise again, here are some steps to socialise safely
The pre-Christmas period puts New Zealanders at high risk of exposure to Covid-19. Even at small gatherings of 10 people, the probability someone has the virus has increased from 2-3 percent to about…
Covid-19: 600,000 vaccine doses expire within weeks
Covid-19 vaccination rates have plateaued since September, with about 64,000 given out each month at the moment.
Covid-19 hospital cases have potential to be highest yet - modelling
A possible peak in the number of people in hospital could be driven by older people getting the virus for the first time. Audio
Covid-19 hospital admissions could reach record high over holidays
Covid-19 isn't at the top of anyone's Christmas wishlist, but hospital admissions could reach a record high this festive season.
New modelling from the Ministry of Health suggests cases could peak at… Audio