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I just spent a few minutes reading about New Zealand and Covid-19 and thought I’d share a few observations.
The big question is whether New Zealand will be able to 'eliminate' Covid-19 again. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2025203
The big question is whether New Zealand will be able to 'eliminate' Covid-19 again. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2025203
New Zealand reported 9 new cases in the last 24 hours.
They did 26,000 tests.
The positivity rate of 0.03% means they haven't missed a lot of cases. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases#summary
They did 26,000 tests.
The positivity rate of 0.03% means they haven't missed a lot of cases. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases#summary
They publish a LOT of details about their testing & surveillance strategy. Which is good. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-surveillance-plan-and-testing-strategy
The way they report individual cases and clusters is also admirable.
The transparency builds and maintains trust and confidence. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases/covid-19-significant-clusters
The transparency builds and maintains trust and confidence. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases/covid-19-significant-clusters
I didn’t realize that they imposed regional travel restrictions after the recent outbreak. Smart.
With some exceptions, if you're in Auckland now, you're in Auckland for a while.
And if you're out, you're out. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-advice-travellers#regional-exemptions
With some exceptions, if you're in Auckland now, you're in Auckland for a while.
And if you're out, you're out. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-advice-travellers#regional-exemptions
I learned from @AdrianMyersTFO that unemployment in New Zealand was 4% in Q1 of 2020 and remained at 4% in Q2.
The economy has of course taken a hit, but could there a better example of how disease control goes hand in hand with economic stability? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/new-zealand-unemployment-at-4-in-surprise-fall-during-coronavirus-pandemic
The economy has of course taken a hit, but could there a better example of how disease control goes hand in hand with economic stability? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/new-zealand-unemployment-at-4-in-surprise-fall-during-coronavirus-pandemic
Outside Auckland, the "lockdown" they reimposed seems more lenient than what we have in Ontario right now - just 1 metre for physical distancing in restaurants, more sports, etc.
But, stricter requirements for keeping track of contacts. Also smart. https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19/alert-system/alert-level-2/
But, stricter requirements for keeping track of contacts. Also smart. https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19/alert-system/alert-level-2/
I’ve seen people outside New Zealand basically saying
“See, we knew New Zealand’s strategy couldn’t work - it was impossible.”
e.g., https://twitter.com/daniellevitt22/status/1295426360857391104?s=20
“See, we knew New Zealand’s strategy couldn’t work - it was impossible.”
e.g., https://twitter.com/daniellevitt22/status/1295426360857391104?s=20
And, believe it or not, some people inside New Zealand think they should go all in on the Swedish approach.
But, overall, there still seems to considerable public support for the current approach.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/covid-19/covid-19-should-nz-go-swedens-way?amp=1.
But, overall, there still seems to considerable public support for the current approach.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/covid-19/covid-19-should-nz-go-swedens-way?amp=1.
No one knows whether New Zealand will be able to stop community transmission again.
But I wouldn’t bet against them.
They have:
-a clear goal
-a well-resourced and logical strategy
-better health and economic outcomes than most of us
-a supportive public
Good luck
!
But I wouldn’t bet against them.
They have:
-a clear goal
-a well-resourced and logical strategy
-better health and economic outcomes than most of us
-a supportive public
Good luck
!
