COVID-19 update 7 October 2021

News article

07 October 2021

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay will update the media today at 1pm.

 

>> Hi, good afternoon, everybody.

Quite a lot to get through today and soon I will hand over to Dr Caroline McElnay who will give an update on today's cases. I will give an update on vaccines. We will then open up to questions and about 1:30, we will hand over to Dr Ayesha Verrall who will be providing an update on testing. Dr Caroline McElnay, hand over to you to Google.  

>> Hello, minister.

 There are 29 new cases in the community to report today. 24 of these cases are in the Auckland region and five are in the Waikato.

That brings the total to 22. One previously promoted in the case has been reclassified as under investigation and removed from the overall tally.

 This takes the total cases in this outbreak to 1448.

There are also two cases to report on recent returnees in a managed isolation facilities.

Of today's 24 cases in Auckland seven are yet to be linked to a current case and interviews are ongoing. All of the (unknown term) cases are linked. Of 39 cases reported, only one Auckland case remains unlinked at this point with investigation is ongoing. There are 10 active sub clusters in Auckland where there have been recent cases. This is dropped from 12. Two previously active sub clusters are now classified as dominant, which means they haven't had an active case outside household contact for 14 days. And that's encouraging.

 First politicians hospitalisations, and that will work. This is a significant drop from the 32 in hospital yesterday with nine people now discharged. For those still in hospital, this is a stressful time for them and their families and our thoughts are with them.

On testing, we continue to see high testing rates, with 23,000 On testing, we continue to see high testing rates, with 23,387 swabs processed throughout the country. In Auckland yesterday, there  are swabs taken across the city. Over 2800 of these tests or from our eight suburbs of interest. And we are still encouraging anyone living in those suburbs to get tested, to give us the assurance that there isn't undetected covered -- of Mac -- COVID in those cases.

 In Auckland, today, there are 22 community testing centres open. This includes 16 pop-ups. Four of the community testing centres are operating extended hours. To improve access for essential workers.

There are seven pop-up testing sites in (unknown term) and they are in Hamilton, Raglan, Huntly. Anyone with symptoms should get a test and yesterday, I can report their worth 6000 480,000 tests taken across the region.

 (Inaudible) staff have been tested for COVID-19 and 50 have returned clear tests and most have been cleared to return to work. There are six staff who have been identified as close contacts and while they have all returned a negative test, the level of contact they had with the case means that they are required to self isolate for 14 days with additional testing.

Of the staff who visited ED at the same time as the case, 30 have returned negative tests and a further 22 tests are still to be processed. They are related to staff who are considered casual contacts only and we expect those results this afternoon.

Just lastly, today the Auckland city Mission will be named as a vocation of interest after a person who received services from the city centre site tested positive for COVID-19. The person who visited the centre on the morning of October 4 but the risk to the public is considered to be low. The person was outside in a tent for testing and also queued in the open air for a meal pack.

 Everyone who visits the mission is required to wear a Mac -- Basque and say 2 m apart. Many members of the mission of honourable and staff are working with Auckland regional Public health service to ensure the safety and well-being of  its clients and visitors. The mission team is contacting as many people who received services at the site as they can to encourage the uptake of testing and to check on the health status. And staff at the mission also undergo regular surveillance testing.

 Back to you, minister. 

>> Thank you, doctor.

Wells encouraging that all of the cases so far (inaudible) we did indicate yesterday that would be keeping a boundary around the area which is currently under review and we would make further decisions on that following taking public health advice. That was following yesterday's news that we saw a couple of cases emerging that are outside of the existing Level 3 boundary.

This morning, ministers have considered the public health advice and applied an abundance of caution. We've decided to extend the boundary further south. The extension will cover the Waitomo district. That means that the boundary will follow the coast south to (unknown term) and then east along the northern border in the north to include (unknown term) it will meet the existing boundary. An update will be published on the website soon. These areas now come under the same level III instructions from 1115 9pm. It is the conventional level III that everyone is familiar with.

The easing of steps in Auckland that we announced this week will not apply to this area. The level III restrictions will  apply until Monday night so they can be reviewed by Cabinet on Monday.

During the next four days, we'll be aiming for wider testing, contact tracing, and we also have further wastewater testing in this area and that will help us to make an assessment of how long these restrictions need to remain in place for.

This extended boundary will include the Hamilton airport and restrictions on travel by air will be in place which means that people will only be able to travel for a limited, permitted reasons and most of those travelling will require a COVID test.

Travel will also be restricted in the area although we are more aware this is challenging and there are much greater number of roads in and out of the area and so we will be asking people to comply with the restrictions in place. We are asking people to carry evidence of why they need to travel if they are travelling.

 Police will be out patrolling in the overall message is if you haven't got a reason, a permitted reason to be travelling, please stay home. We do need people in the area to go out and get tested, though, and to get vaccinated so there will be pop-up testing centres and testing sites operating across Helton, Raglan and Huntly. This is the best we can do to provide everyone with the individual armour against COVID. We launched the national day of action.

The virus is clearly finding people who are not accidental. Wrong vaccinated. My messages, please don't. I can assure you the vaccine is safe and effective but if you are worried about that, do your own research. Look at trusted sources like the Ministry of health website. Talk to your health professionals, nurses, doctors and so on.

We do know and we are told that there are people who are still waiting it out. To see if COVID-19 will pass them by. There is a review in this community that we just talked about that COVID-19 won't reach into rural activities because of the relative isolation.

That is wrong. COVID-19 will not pass by. That should be crystal clear by now. So please do not wait to be vaccinated. COVID-19 will affect our rural communities as much as it does our urban communities and the best thing that we can all do is get vaccinated.

We are also hearing some feedback from people questioning whether they feel comfortable being vaccinated when their children cannot be. Whilst I understand the love that parents have further children and expressing that, my message to them is that the best way you can show that love towards your children is to get yourself vaccinated in order to protect them.

While your children under the age of 12 cannot be vaccinated, you will be increasing the layer of protection around them. You and all of the adults who are coming into contact with them vaccinated. Please, show your love for your kids by getting the vaccinations yourself. There are literally tens of thousands of bookings available in coming days on vaccine.nz.

One of the things we have to do is look at where the risk is and where the best place to put the boundaries. We do not have time to do that yesterday some of than that. We are also just, it is a decision with an abundance of caution at this point. We are still feeling the evidence suggests that we are still dealing with a relatively contained group of cases. These communities are very closely linked. We look at traffic movements, for example. The patterns of movement around these different communities. On the advice I've had is in places like (unknown term) for example, there is quite a lot of interaction there. So that's why we've put the boundary where we have.  

>> (Inaudible)

>> One of the things that we have to do is look at where to draw boundaries and what the most appropriate decisions are to take those situations. More information comes to light all the time. As I said yesterday, everybody in the area, we have been asking them to be careful and to look for symptoms and to make sure the following the guidance of the public health teams are doing the contact tracing. 

>> (Inaudible) attributed to the transmission (inaudible). 

>> Where the five new cases from Jo

>> I don't have the details of the five but from the overall numbers, they will be in Raglan and Hamilton. 

>> (Inaudible)

>> We only have two cases as reported yesterday outside of the lockdown area. 

>> (Inaudible)

>> We did that based on public health advice and they have spent some time working with the team to help us draw the boundaries and they look at overall movement between communities. They look at commuter patterns and so on. 

>> (Inaudible) there has been some challenging (inaudible). 

>> Am aware that there is some debate about this. There are a lot of other people have tested positive for COVID- 19 who are not in gangs or associated with gangs. There are people who are in gangs or associated with gangs. I don't have an absolute number on that in some cases it may be that they are not a member of the gang themselves but they might be connected with somebody who is or they may be connected with someone who is connected to someone. That's the nature of the way COVID-19 spreads. 

>> (Inaudible) discriminatory and judging of them (Inaudible)

>> No, I don't think were treating them any differently. We are drawing a ring around particular events, for example, as we did with AIG. That was because there was particular events that led to that distinction and in this case, there is an event and that is the reason why we have a ring around that particular group. 

>> (Inaudible) in terms of the  group who (inaudible) what work have you done around looking out for those types of people in (inaudible). What about young European (inaudible). 

>> Later on this afternoon, we will be releasing information It's not necessarily that people are staunchly anti- vaccination but there is a degree of comfort that they have at the moment that they feel they don't need a vaccination and my overall message to them. 

>> (Inaudible) how do you target them because it is quite a critical response.  

>> That is exactly what I outlined yesterday. The importance of these next 10 days. It's important for everyone to be going out and having this conversation. If all of the 80% who have been vaccinated are having those          gang members and with Castle. 

>> The feedback I've had is that there are people who are associated with gangs involved in this and that's about as far as I can go in terms of the information that I have. 

>> In terms of spreading the virus, (inaudible) 

>> Certainly there would be some evidence to suggest that there has been spread among gang networks. 

>> (Inaudible) following all the rules. 

>> Can you tell me, more Kiwis are coming into the level III environment (inaudible). 

>> There are some reasonably substantial places being Botton. -- Being brought in. 

>> (Inaudible) to try and improve the situation.

>> In

>> At the back of happen those on the ground doing contact tracing is they are getting a good degree of cooperation, there is a good degree of information sharing about people who could be at risk. We want to maintain that approach. Whilst I understand for New Zealanders at home sitting watching the thinking they are doing the right thing, have been vaccinated and are following the rules, my thanks go very much to you. The focus here is on stamping out COVID- 19. I don't have any time for games all the activities they are engaged with, it is not the number one priority at this point. The priority is identifying people at risk of having contracted COVID-19 and trying to stop the virus. It has to be forefront of the activities here. 

>> A little over a week ago you stood there and said the National Party clan would mean we get COVID for Christmas. How confident are you with the thought that the numbers are hanging there on the border creeping south, we will not have a COVID Christmas anyway? 

>> Continue to pursue a strategy of having zero tolerance for COVID-19 cases. Greater movement at the border at this point would almost certainly increase the risk of additional COVID cases spreading to other parts of the country more quickly. But we are in a phase where we have to work extra hard in order to try and stop the spread of the virus. There is no question about that. 

>> The Prime Minister...

>> The Prime Minister is up in the regions helping with vaccinations, helping to get the vaccination rate up there. It is a part of the country where we need to do better so she is doing some activity up there. 

>> Will have presence of the help? 

>> I believe so, yes. I think it will help. 

>> Is she at...

>> That part of the country. Rotorua but heading across into that area. 

>> We still have doctors giving information about vaccines in Northland whether DHP has said GPs anti-vax views are impacting their rollout. Why have those people not been stopped from going out or being stood down from the medical Council?

>> I understand the medical Council have issued some pretty clear guidance to members of the medical profession but it is probably more appropriate... 

>> They are following activities from doctors reporting to them and then they follow the processes after that, and they want to be advised of the doctors in that situation. 

>> When there is so much at stake does it need to be (INAUDIBLE) given the guidance. 

>> The medical Council has strong processes that they go through in order to assess the situation, so they have requested that people notify the medical Council. 

>> Do you have an update or detail around a person who accessed the Given there is concern around that. 

>> I don't have any more detail. Certainly the person has been managed by Auckland Regional Public Health and we want the city mission to continue to operate, it is providing services of course. As I outlined I want them provided in the Safeway. 

>> Any update around a reason to allow parents to cross the border, we have had some people come to us saying that has been their experience?

>> I asked that to be followed up the other day but I do not have the feedback yet. Apologies, I will get you an answer soon. 

>> Given that level for a Level 3 lockdown for people, they need a right to guarantee, there is been and the rules have been changed. 

>> I just have not had the chance for the feedback, I have asked for it to be looked at and I will come back to you. 

>> Anything more to say about mandatory vaccination or travelling over the boundaries, and for teachers and other staff?

>> In terms of vaccination requirements for the Waikato area, the Level 3 area, sorry testing for that Level 3 area, they are the same for the Auckland Level 3 area. I have just realised you asking about vaccination, we will cover that on Monday, nothing to add. 

>> If there is a great enough public need can you do this?

>> Practicalities consideration in terms of timing, but it would not necessarily be a legal impediment. A key factor is practicality. 

>> Some workforces the people who are not blindsided by this, how wide will this mandate be? Will it include the health workforce or anyone crossing the boundaries? 

>> We have been consulting on our frontline health workforce as I foreshadowed yesterday, having conversations about where the line should be drawn. Does it include laboratory  staff for example, and critical people to the overall functioning of the health system. Cabinet will make the decision about exactly where those lines are drawn on Monday. The two workforces considering specifically other health warp force and the education workforce. 

>> You just said the importance of every adult coming into importance with the child been vaccinated, why would children sent back to ECS centres when parents had no idea of the vaccination threshold of staff,  and the teachers?

>> There were other protective measures in space, the protective levels where ECE is operating it is limited in turn of the group size, other protective measures put in place there, and yes we will have more around vaccination and testing to stay on that next week. 

>> ECE say they were prime sided -- blindsided. 

>> When you change things it requires adjustment from people. If we had moved from alert Level 3 to Alert Level 4 to  they would have had the notice and they would have had to do more in that respect. With the stepdown way we are progressing for Auckland, we are asking ECE to do less that if we move more quickly. 

>> Why was a decision made so quickly? 

>> I want to see kids back in early childhood education, it is good for their well-being and their parents well-being, so we want to allow that to happen in a way that is as safe as possible. I will let you have one more. 

>> Did you consult the sector? 

>> We did not consult the sector on the decision. There is not necessarily time to consult everyone affected by the alert level decisions that we take. Let's come along here. 

>> Can you give an update on the weak positive reported yesterday, and are you aware of the new result and a clarification on why are dentists allowed to operate under the current rules are not osteopaths? 

>> I can talk to the weak positive reported yesterday. Auckland Regional Public Health are following up with that person much they are an Auckland resident. We are expecting further updates later today. 

>> It was expected to be updated already. 

>> They have made contact with the person, it has been challenging to get hold of that person. There will be further testing, it was a weak positive and that is our usual protocol. A CT value of that range can mean a number of things, a historic case or maybe a false positive, and we need a repeat swap. 

>> In terms of who is in and who is out in terms of people able to write services at different alert levels I accept there is always, where ever usual the line some people will be on one side of the line and others on the other side of the line. There is no completely easy way to draw the line. 

>> Multiple complaints were made to that medical complaints in June about a Dr spreading 20 minute videos speaking about Aunty's and he is still practising a registered are you comfortable? 

>> This is a matter for the medical Council, I expect medical professionals adhere to high standards that they set for themselves as professionals. That behaviour would not adhere to that standards as a profession. 

>> What you're of the commissioning agency getting access to And setting targets vaccinations? 

>> We are trying to provide as much data as we can consistent with privacy laws, and we have been able to provide more information but ultimately government has to follow the law and there are some laws around we can and cannot provide. We are pushing as hard as we can to provide as much information as we can whilst also adhering to the constraints that exist around people's privacy. 

>> Stuart Smith has said that the provisions in the COVID-19 allow to delay local gum elections,

>> That is incorrect. 

>> Are you sure of the vaccination status of the person who died of COVID-19?

>> I don't have that information. 

>> I don't have that information. 

>> With a new boundary in the  Waikato, would you eventually run out of police to enforce these boundaries? 

>> As the Prime Minister set out when she announced the first Waikato boundary, this is a more complex part of the country to have alert level restrictions in place. It is not possible as we do in Auckland to have checkpoints on every major road, it is part of the country that is well networked in terms of roads.  We do have to rely more on people complying, but I note that when we are at a nationwide Alert Level 4, and alert three across the country for example, the same principle applies. We rely on people following the rules. People buy a large to follow the rules. 

>> Are you starting checkpoints? 

>> These are matters for the police but the feedback we have had is that they would not be able to resource a roadblock on every single road and would be made those decisions we accept that reality but we are out patrolling and stopping people. They may not stop every car, and in an ideal world you would have enough resources we must acknowledge that that part of the country, there are a lot of roads. This will be difficult to do this practically. I will wrap up in a moment because we have another part to this briefing. 

>> On the list of suburbs and the data, New Zealand are a competitive bunch and what kind of motivation do you think this  is provides to get vaccinated. 

>> We want to be part of a winning team, and we have a team of 5 million and we have been a winning team over the past year, but we are taking this local and I encourage everyone to look at the stats and make sure your neighbourhood and community at the highest rates of vaccination possible. 

>> What about for the three rugby teams leaving Auckland? 

>> I must check that. I don't have that with me. 

>> On behalf of the former deputy prime Minister Winston Peters why are we hearing the government is considering putting (INAUDIBLE) into Level 3? 

>> We are not. 

>> Can we expect to door-to- door teams or pop-up testing what is the strategy to boost numbers in particular suburbs?

>> We have indicated over the next 10 days we are asking our civic leaders and political leaders, we have good connections in those communities to use information we are making publicly available to see an uptick in vaccination rates and user networks, the existing tools available. Political parties do this at election times, we target groups who may not get to the polling booth. Civic leaders do similar things, but there are groups with rich connections into communities and we are asking them to contribute to the nationwide effort as well and that is why we put the information out there. This is not just about us and about the central government. I am sorry to reveal it to everyone in the room but the majority of those people will not watch this 1 PM briefing so we much reach them in other ways. 

>> Will it be good to allow younger Maori and Pacifico people in the door?

>> Early in the campaign we wanted to stop COVID get into those communities in the first place and we have been successful, and vaccination has played the role there. As vaccination numbers came more available we have opened up the vaccines more quickly to a greater group of people. 

>> I DHB is currently exploring ways to help patients with COVID 19 outside the hospice system? 

>> They are working on making sure they have the capacity to deal with an increase in COVID- 19 cases presenting and they have done that for the last year and 1/2, and I know they are stepping up their efforts in that regard. Minister Little has been leading that work making sure the health system is prepared for increased number of covert cases but the answer is yes, they are doing a lot of planning and up skilling of staff to make sure that if they make sure with people in ICU, people can step into the roles. 

>> Following up on the rugby question, the silver ferns got exemptions and the others did not,

>> I did not make those decisions, I do not know the details. Happy to follow it up and come back to you. Just a couple more quick questions, Joanna Jason. 

>> Yesterday you talked about one person bubbles, are essences able to run mental health, with 10 of the staff meeting in an area, meeting socially doing some mental well-being activity. 

>> If they are following 

>> I will take that one away because you have given a particularly specific example there. 

>> (Inaudible)

>> I'm not quite sure if I understand the question. Should there be a case that's very space -- case specific. While staff are tested and assessed as to the degree of contact they have with the case and they usually allow a number of staff. In Waikato, they might have to stay off for a longer period. I'm not sure of the specifics around that. 

>> Can you ensure that DG is following safety procedures? 

>> Yes, they are. They work very closely with the public health unit. 

>> Do you know why there is a doctor with -- and Southland Hospital has been unable to  take an emergency IQ -- M IQ. 

>> I don't review the individual applications. I'm looking at the number of health workers that we are needing to get into the country at the moment. There is a civil hundred potential workers that are currently waiting. Ultimately, we need them and health workforce. I can comment on specific individual cases because they don't have the details of those. I will now hand over to Dr Asha Beryl and Prof Murdoch are going to give you an update and they will take your questions.  

 

Part 2 – Dr Ayesha Verral & Prof David Murdoch

>> From the outset of the COVID pandemic will use a range of methods to contain and control the virus, to protect lives and a way of life. Right from the beginning contact tracing has helped us to find COVID-19, contain it and stamp it out. It's a strategy that has worked well for us. We had a world leading health  response and a low number of deaths. Testing has been a key part of this response. It has helped us hunt down the virus, put a fence around outbreaks and stamp out the spread of COVID-19. As one part of the armour, safeguarding our freedoms, testing has been vital. A massive amount of testing has been carried out in the current outbreak. Since New Zealand went into lockdown, just over seven weeks ago, almost 1 million PCR tests have been done. (unknown term) have been amazing. We have used whole genome sequencing to map in detail transmission, to find every case, and also to understand the transmission of COVID-19. So we could prevent future outbreaks. We have used waste testing to help with the early production of outbreaks. Our strategy is evolving and increasingly vaccinated population is providing more options for us. Our toolbox is changing. Today, we have relied heavily  on high-sensitivity PCR tests because until most New Zealanders are protected by vaccination, the cost of missing a case has been too high for us to rely on tests that can provide us with high levels of certainty. As the strategy involves to one based around high levels of vaccination, we continue to stamp out COVID-19. A approach suggesting can also take -- adapt to the new environment.  We can in certain circumstances use lower sensitivity tests that provide other benefits such as accessibility and convenience so that we detect more cases overall. So the director of general health asked Prof Murdoch and his team to review the coordination of COVID-19, review the processes by which innovations are assessed and adopted, and identify opportunities to ensure an ongoing, sustainable and fit for purpose covered -- COVID-19 testing. The review panel acknowledged the huge contribution of laboratories to our COVID-19 response. I want to thank these teams for their continued efforts to keep New Zealand say. One of the key themes in the report we are releasing today is how we adopt and test -- and test testing innovations. To assess how suitable it is in the court context of New Zealand's COVID-19 response. In areas deemed high user settings, to detect (inaudible). To manage hospital capacity and ensure the safety of visitors and inform clinical decision- making. The antigen test will also be used as a point of arrival test that will take place in Auckland and Christchurch from the end of this month and into December. The Ministry of business, innovation and employment is working closely with the Ministry of health to support businesses to accelerate additional levels of testing for the workforce. I can announce today that we are working closely with the private sector and plan to bring rapid antigen tests into the country. Some businesses can use that in a way that will work both were my best. I spoke to leaders were eager to test this technology to protect their workforce. (Inaudible) to boost public health protections. I want to be clear that while this technology provides a result quickly, rapid antigen testing tends to be in a detecting cases. Especially in those who are early or late in the infectious period. When I worked in Singapore, it wasn't uncommon that I would review patients whose diagnosis of DMD was mixed -- missed. that's why we must ensure a system is in place to diagnose  cases and any positive cases must be linked with healthcare and managed appropriately, developing the systems will be the work businesses and government's design together. I will now hand over to Professor Murdoch to talk about his review for COVID-19 testing. 

>> Thank you Minister, that COVID 19 testing technical advisory group was established a month ago and our first task is been to undertake a rapid review of COVID-19 testing across the country. The focus of the review has been on systems and processes by which testing activities are coordinated with the New Zealand and on how new testing and testing innovations are assessed and adopted, and I want to acknowledge at this stage the other members of the group with works hard in this report. The main purpose of our review was to ensure that COVID-19 testing is agile and fit for purpose in supporting New Zealand's and any response. As Minister has indicated, we are moving from the time we need to totally rely on tests of high sensitivity, the PCR tests. Although PCI will continue to be the main test method that we use, we need to look at other testing options to complement PCR. We also need to keep abreast of new developments. Both in terms of tests and how they are used, and developments in this area are moving very quickly. As is common at a time of major crisis, during this pandemic we have seen a rapid movement in technological developments. We can expect many exciting innovations in the testing space, those of us who work within it are very hopeful that we will have a lot of answers in diagnostics and not just for COVID. I would also echo the Minister's comments, the panel are very keen to acknowledge the huge contribution that laboratory staff and all of the other staff supporting testing throughout the country have had in the pandemic response. These have been some of the heroes and testing underpins virtually every aspect of the response. New Zealanders can be well assured that we have excellent laboratory services in this country. The other findings from our report can really be mainly grouped into three things the first is that we need to be faster and more agile in assessing and implement a new testing testing approaches. As a country we were too slow to adopt saliva testing, and slow to prepare for rapid antigen testing, so we need to up our game here. We need to clearly articulate a process for how tests are regulated and funded, we need ongoing assessment for new testing approaches, and look overseas as part of that and gain from experience overseas. We need to be piloting new testing testing approaches, just to assess how well they are working in the New Zealand context, and that is quite important. What was also obvious to the group, the need to better connect with communities and innovators within those communities. This is not just the business community, that is with Maori Pacific and rural communities. One size does not fit all the many parts of this response, and it is critical we work with communities to codesign and implement testing strategies that are fit for purpose. It is about innovation as well as equity of access. The third thing is around allowing laboratories to be best prepared for the future. As I say we have excellent laboratories but they are very keen to get information so they can plan so we need to make sure they get the information they need about the testing strategy and the pandemic plan, and what changes may be occurring so they can plan for the future in terms of their workforce, supplies and reagents and also regarding the workforce. We have heard about Doctor, but we need laboratory staff, with retention and recruitment and efforts directed towards that is very important. Ultimately we need a robust system to ensure we have the right tests in the right place for the right people and that our laboratories are best prepared. Thank you Minister. 

>> Thank you Professor Murdoch, in summary as a prime Minister has said a highly vaccinated population opens doors. It means COVID-19 will be less threatening and less scary illness. That is good news, it might also mean that people's  behaviour around testing will change and it is time to bring new tools into the toolkit. For example using new tests in new settings. To be clear PCR will be the mainstay of our testing plan but the rapid antigen testing is another marker in our progress to reconnect with the world. We want to continue to actively control any COVID-19 outbreak now and in the future. A public L teams are contact tracing and testing as extensively as ever, and the more New Zealanders who are vaccinated the greater we can protect each other from the virus. We need everyone to do their bit, so please get vaccinated. I am happy to take questions. 

>> In the past the government has not been too hot on this kind of testing. 

>> As I said, one important thing to note is that we are shifting into a different environment with a highly vaccinated population. That means we have new opportunities will stop the risks of missing a single case once we are all vaccinated is substantially lower. In addition, we have not been in the position that other countries have been in with high prevalence of COVID-19, which is when rapid and contest are performs best. Now is a good opportunity to make these changes. 

>> In preparing for these things are picking up on the point about being agile, first we were too slow with saliva testing, too slow with rapid antigen, too slow for setting up the technical advisory group, why are now? 

>> We want to make the most of these opportunities, and as Professor Murdoch says there is a conservatism that comes from the idea that there is such a high risk attached to missing one civil case. One of the things we want to do is to start to unlock that and allow new innovations to come through. 

>> Yes I agree, naturally with an elimination strategy were focused on, and that was the right strategy, we were focused on the best tests. So that led to a degree of conservatism which is an explanation not a justification, but we deserve to focus on the best test. 

>> Were you prepared for the eventuality of moving out of this stage, as of Monday could we have been better prepared in terms of sliding and rapid antigen testing? 

>> Yes. 

>> It was just a couple of weeks ago on Twitter that you were rubbishing calls for rapid antigen testing. 

>> He was talking about sharing a particular piece of research from the United States where they have very limited public health controls in place. High levels of COVID in the community. That sort of setting, the research he was citing, has modelled that you might be able to flatten the curve a little by using access to rapid antigen tests at home. That is not the situation that we are in, and what we are exploring is quite strategic uses of them, in particular settings. 

>> Now that we are highly vaccinated, there is a role for these tests, we are only 50%. 

>> We are starting to use it in more and more settings, we are not at the stage at all where we are using it as a replacement for PCR or anything like that. 

>> To follow up on that question, we were always going to have this pivot, from elimination to reopening. Why wasn't this done months  ago? So the processes and everything were ready to go? 

>> To be fair there was a large amount of innovation in our testing space. For example rapid antigen tests are already being used in Auckland hospitals. There are saliva tests in use, we have been using wastewater testing and whole genome sequencing, and we have a large pasty and excellent network of laboratories providing PCR testing. There was a point that we must change and we are making the changes of vaccination rates go up. 

>> Has the government been dragged kicking and screaming to this? You had to wait for this report to give you to hurry up. Is this reluctance?

>> Absolutely not. We have asked for this report to be able to unlock the power of innovation in the space. 

>> Can get more detail what this will entail, the specific sectors you will be focusing on, how will that take place? 

>> We want to work with businesses, nonclinical services and to have workplaces or workforces that need to be out and about. For example, people who cannot work from home. We are designing this pilot in conjunction with industry. We will work through exactly how it will take shape together. 

>> Back to the question. What are timeframes around this? 

>> We are meeting tomorrow. Tomorrow we meet with Rob Fyfe, and some other business representatives including some from primary industries and mostly multinational companies, many of whom have operations overseas and have experiences. One thing we want to get is the effect of the experience overseas. 

>> When you think we will see this rolled out? 

>> We want to design this together, and those will be some of the things that we work through. 

>> You have delivered the report today, what is your role now in the coming weeks? 

>> I chair the COVID testing technical advisory group. We are a Ministry of health group and we provide advice, technical advice to the ministry. 

>> So will you be providing further advice in research or you will be asking why are we doing this, we could be doing this better? Is it accountability and advice? 

>> Both. 

>> The drug the tension agency applied to the Ministry of  health say two types of rapid antigen tests might be approved. 

>> Can you please request that question. 

>> We understand that the drug detection agency has applied to import and use two types of rapid antigen tests, what the application for those approaches? 

>> I am not aware of who that agency would be all the application, it is not who I have been corresponding with. 

>> What about businesses seeking emergency clearance to import 370,000 tests this week, will you approve that? 

>> We will work together on a system to make sure the objectives business have can be met alongside the public health objectives that we also have as government. 

>> Are you aware that businesses are concerned to start so that their workforces have them right now? 

>> I understand that concern, and we will work through that together but we need to process, the regulatory process is a decision by the director- general will stop he will seek technical advice as part of making the decision. That is not the only issue involved and how we do this. We want to make sure any positive cases identified are linked into the health system. We want to take the time to be able to make sure those processes are in place.  We will set up a design sprint to make sure we are across the different areas of importation, procurement and the public health processes. 

>> What is it called ?'s big Mac it is called Sprint. 

>> Can this be completed by the end of the year because most of the population will be vaccinated fingers crossed, and at the start of next year will look at opening up borders. You would want this to be implemented and not just a pilot. When will it be completed? 

>> It will be during a design sprint where we rapidly try new methods and learn from them and adapt as we go, I think there will be progress on the ground within one month. 

>> Professor is there any merit in rapid antigen testing as part of the surveillance testing in the community outbreak? 

>> There certainly will be roles and it needs to be worked through, but absolutely, there will be a role. Ultimately we will look at protecting fundable populations, essential workers, keeping Outbreaks. There Will Be a Role. 

>> If We Can Be Better Prepared and in Your View That It Has Merit, Is It a Missed Opportunity That We Have Not Been up to Do That for This Outbreak? 

>> I Am Unsure about That. We Have Done Well with Our PCR Testing. 

>> Are you happy with the way we have been using the capacity? With a massive long lines at testing stations? We could have done thousands of tests today we have not done that.        

>> It wasn't being used to its full capacity. 

>> I should say, there has certainly been times, many times during the pandemic that labs have been absolutely stretched. But also I should say they have done remarkably well with that PCR testing. (Multiple speakers)

>> (Inaudible)

>> That is one of the options being looked at. I know we are receiving some model on the role of (inaudible) which will include potentially shortened M IQ in combination with PCR test. 

>> And the government made the decision to lessen restrictions in Auckland despite there being ongoing community transition. -- Transmission. 

>> I think the issue that I thought through for that decision was that with our level III and four, some of the most stringent restrictions in the world, we have used Level 3 with the original variant for short periods of time but we were increasingly asking people to stay at these globally very high levels of restrictions for a prolonged period of time, and that has other consequences. 

>> (Inaudible) do you think that the genie is out of the bottle in terms of productions within the community and it's only a matter of time before COVID-19 spreads towards (inaudible) New Zealand. Do you agree that the dealer is and of -- the genie is out of the bottle and it's only a matter of time before it spreads to the rest of New Zealand. 

>> It certainly, we are certainly at a different station. Was going to be very difficult to control. Yes, broadly, I would agree with that. Saying everywhere inevitably, I'm not sure about that. It's going to be difficult to control. 

>> There is a point I would make in addition to that. There is a, with vaccination, we can disconnect infection from disease and that's the opportunity that we have. So transmission in countries with high rates of vaccination, for example, Singapore, where think 88% of the total population is vaccinated, more than 90% of the cases either have no or extremely mild symptoms, so covered Mac -- so COVID can change. 

>> Give time for when that might be ready for release.  

>> I know it is one of the priority pieces of work in the ministry at the moment. 

>> (Inaudible) looks at pay for lab staff who are having to do quite a lot of work. Is that something the government has control over?

>> I believe most laboratory technicians are employed by either private companies and many are unionised. A small minority, for example the lab of Prof Murdoch Watson, is still under the district health board. 

>> (Inaudible) can you shed some light on conflicting statements about where we are moving away from elimination. In your view, how are we moving away from elimination (inaudible)?

>> I think the important thing about the strategy is it is not an end in itself. It's a way of achieving your aims. Our aims are to protect people's lives and our way of life and that has not changed. But what has changed is the availability of vaccines and that means that covered -- recovery doesn't have to be a serious disease for most people like it was previously. We are able to look at more options now and I want to make it very clear that we continue to use all of our tools, particularly contact tracing, testing, and credibly -- vigourously within affected communities. Yes?

>> There have been calls alongside mandating vaccinations for teachers but also regularly testing. Is there any capacity to have rapid antigen testing for teachers, especially where young children cannot get vaccinated? 

>> The announcement today is about a particular type of industry. We are aware of other settings and are assessing further advice on them. 

>> (Inaudible) to slow on antigen testing. Who do you put that down to? 

>> I actually don't know. But I'll go back to my comment before about the focus on elimination and the best tests. I think that the drive a certain (inaudible) and partly justifiable on the best test. We are looking back and yes we probably missed a few opportunities. 

>> (Inaudible) that provider was stopped from providing free services (inaudible). How can you possibly not see that the Ministry of health is an issue here. 

>> I agree, that was too slow. I think the adoption of (inaudible) has been evidenced for quite a while.  

>> (Inaudible)

>> We are doing that with the officials at the Ministry of health who are doing an excellent job in responding to the pandemic and running the largest medical event in our country, the country's history mother vaccination campaign. We will be doing that in conjunction with one of our officials that assessed me another portfolio and they will bring in both business and expertise in the design processes. 

>> Last question. 

>> Just one more question contact tracing. 

>> (Inaudible) it is about six per person. Is that quite low? (Inaudible)

>> That is always the plan for one of the layers of escalation that we built into the contact tracing system is that work  gets devolved and particularly in the tricky context, it gets devolved to other public health units, with some of the simpler contexts. For example, low risk identify locations of interest. That's how we manage the demand during the high demand periods. Last one. 

>> In terms of the way the system is being reviewed, I wonder whether in the future, the report can be released more than half an hour for the press conference. -- More than half an hour before the press conference. (Inaudible)

>> Thank you for that feedback. I'm very happy to take that on board for next time. I think one of the points to Prof Murdoch's committee was convened and commissioned by the Ministry of health. They did have a link with Ian Uptown being one of the officials who works closely and usually attend the meeting for the purpose of this report, Dr town was not involved in that review. Thank you very much.

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