Michael Baker
Covid-19: Worldwide virus cases top 10 million
Worldwide there's now been more than 10 million Covid-19 cases with close to five hundred thousand deaths.
A quarter of those cases - about 2.5 million - have been in the United States, with Florida… Audio
Govt to strengthen managed isolation system
A review of the country's managed isolation system has found it's under extreme stress and unable to respond to increasing demand. In response the government will increase the number of clinical and… Audio
Public health expert backs opposition attack on border controls
A leading public health expert is backing the opposition's attack on Covid-19 border controls, saying a rigorous system is a matter of life or death.
It comes as the government unveils its plan to… Audio
Demand for COVID isolation facilities spilling into the regions
The Government is planning to increase their number of isolation facilities, and are looking to the regions to do it. At an announcement yesterday, the Head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine, Air… Audio
Enthusiasam for NZ travel bubble into the Pacific dampens
The confirmation of new Covid-19 cases in New Zealand and the associated administrative bungles has dampened some enthusiasm for a travel bubble with the Pacific. Audio
New NZ Covid-19 cases dampen Pacific bubble hopes
The confirmation of new Covid-19 cases in New Zealand - and the associated administrative bungles - has dampened some enthusiasm for a travel bubble with the Pacific.
But it's also further… Audio
New Covid-19 cases: Health officials scramble to reach suspected contacts
Health authorities are scrambling to get in touch with 320 people to prevent Covid-19 spreading further than the two women who brought it back into the country.
The women were found to have the… Audio
Covid-19: Exemptions concerning after women test positive outside managed isolation - Baker
Officials who allowed two women out of isolation, on compassionate grounds, broke a rule which had been in force for four days.
Both women tested positive for Covid-19 after the pair drove from… Audio
Govt suspends compassionate exemptions for travellers
The Government have suspended all compassionate exemptions for travellers following the announcement of two new covid-19 cases. It's after two women, one showing symptoms, were given compassionate… Audio
Auckland-Canberra flights proposed, but Air NZ says no
Plans for a trans-Tasman bubble by July have failed to get lift-off - with New Zealand government ministers saying it's too early for such a proposal.
Top business voices want to see a new flight… Audio
Country needs better response to disease control - Baker
Two of country's biggest public health units are refusing to use the government's national contact tracing system. Auckland and Wellington say their own software is better.
Epidemiologist Professor… Audio
Epidemiologist warns against virus complacency
New Zealand has had no new cases of Covid-19 for 10 days in a row and there's hope today will be the eleventh.
One case remains active and no one is currently receiving hospital treatment.
But an… Audio
Professor Michael Baker answers your Covid-19 questions
Public health physician Professor Michael Baker has been a constant and reassuring presence on Sunday Morning throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period. He returns to answer your questions and ours… Audio
ASA stepping in over Covid-19 references in ads
At least seven companies have been forced to change or take down advertisements referencing Covid-19 following complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority.
The action follows a flurry of… Audio
Professor Michael Baker answers your Covid-19 questions
Public health physician from the University of Otago Wellington, Professor Michael Baker has been a constant and reassuring presence on Sunday Morning throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period. He… Audio
Coronavirus: Epidemiologist on Alert Level 1
We may only recently have entered Alert Level 2, but attention is already shifting to what Alert Level 1 might look like and when we might get there.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to give… Audio
Johan Giesecke: Why lockdowns are the wrong approach
Professor Johan Giesecke is one of the world's most senior epidemiologists. He believes lockdowns like the one we've just had in New Zealand are just a way of delaying the inevitable. Professor… Audio
Alert Level 2 puts the brakes on choirs but not on students
Epidemiologist Michael Baker answers questions from New Zealand Choral Federation members on the safety of choral singing under current COVID-19 restrictions. Video
Coronavirus: Public excited for Alert Level 2
The Government has confirmed the country will be easing into Alert Level 2 from Thursday meaning retailers and public spaces will largely be able to reopen as long as physical distancing measures are… Audio
Coronavirus: Vigilance still needed at Alert Level 2 - Baker
Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker says while New Zealand is very close to being able to ease restrictions, we will all need to remain very vigilant when we do.
He speaks to… Audio