Michael Baker

There were almost 10,000 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand and 33 new deaths last week, the Ministry of Health reported yesterday.

Over 1000 of the new cases are reinfections. Case numbers appear… Audio

Covid-related restrictions - most of them anyway - are of course mostly now gone.

But Covid-19 hasn't gone, so does that leave us vulnerable to the virus?

Otago University epidemiologist Michael… Audio

Australia has reduced its covid isolation period from seven to five days for asymptomatic people. And from next Friday, masks will also be scrapped on the country's domestic flights. It comes as Covid… Audio

A public health expert says people who get Covid-19 should isolate as soon as possible after they develop symptoms.

Case numbers have been dropping over recent weeks, and the rolling average of… Audio

The monkeypox outbreak has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation The classification, which is the highest alert that the WHO can issue, came after a surge in cases… Audio

New Zealand's Government is being asked to do more in the global fight against monkeypox.

The virus has now been reported in 50 countries, having made its way to New Zealand at the weekend.

A group… Audio

Steadily rising Covid-19 case numbers in recent days are causing concern, with some modelling suggesting we could start seeing upwards of 20-thousand cases a day soon. Nick talks to University of… Audio

A leading epidemiologist says Aotearoa is leaving it late to roll out a second Covid-19 booster shot.

The government has passed legislation that allows New Zealanders to get a fourth dose of the… Audio

A public health expert says he's disappointed by the government decision to abandon pre-departure testing for Covid-19.

The Government announced yesterday that from Monday night, people travelling to… Audio

Back home now where the number of new Covid case yesterday dropped below 5-thousand for the first time in three months. So a positive sign but the majority of new cases are now thought to be of the… Audio

Covid cases in Auckland have jumped by 50 per cent in just a few weeks - something which experts say could be a warning to the rest of the country.

On Thursday 3888 were reported in Auckland alone.

… Audio

An epidemiologist is predicting New Zealand's Covid-19 case numbers will rise again over coming months - resulting in increased hospitalisations and deaths.

Professor Michael Baker isn't surprised at… Audio

The first local case of the Omicron XE variant - perhaps better described as a recombinant of the better known BA1 and BA2 sublineages - was reported over the long weekend.

XE may or may not be… Audio

Some health officials may have argued for MIQ to be mothballed three months earlier than what happened - something we've been hearing a lot about this morning - but the University of Otago's Michael… Audio

Today COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced New Zealand will move to the orange setting of the Covid Protection Framework at midnight tonight. We speak to Michael Baker in response to the… Audio

The government is set to review the Covid-19 traffic light system this week.

It would be considering a move from red to orange.

Last time the settings were reviewed Cabinet opted to keep the entire… Audio

A leading New Zealand epidemiologist is calling for 'serious investment' into Pacific health services and housing. Audio

Professor Michael Baker is back with us for a Covid-19 update. He discusses reservations about the mandates coming off tomorrow, trial data on booster shots for 12-17 year olds, and whether New… Audio

The future of Covid-19 management begins this weekend.

The traffic light system remains, but some gathering limits will be raised at the RED setting - including letting hospitality venues serve up to… Audio