Pasifika communities need to be absolutely vigilant

Dr Colin Tukuitonga who is again working closely with the Ministry Of Health at Alert Level 3 has been doing wide social media callouts for "no mass gatherings, wear masks, wash hands and use strict social distancing." 

Our Pasifika aiga are being encouraged more than ever before to up their levels of caution and prevention against Covid-19 and Dr Tukuitonga emphasises how imperative this is at this time with our communities being hugely vulnerable as confirmed Covid cases rise. 

There are 13 new cases in Aotearoa today - 12 of which are linked to the first cluster.  One patient is in critical condition in ICU and has not had the source of Covid 19 infection identified. 

Meanwhile up to 300 people who attended a Māngere East church on Sunday have been urged to get tested for Covid-19 urgently after a family at the congregation tested positive. Everyone who was at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa Māngere East Puaseisei on Sunday and anyone who has been in contact with them are being told to get a test as a precaution. Health officials confirmed late last night that a preschooler had tested positive for the virus.

The youngster is a pupil at the Taeaofou I Puaseisei Preschool (which has now been closed) on Winthrop Way, Māngere East, opposite the church. Many of the church's youngest members attend the preschool. Reverend Victor Pouesi said the church was supporting the family involved after several members - including the preschooler's parents and at least one other child in the family - had tested positive for Covid-19.

A 6-year-old boy has tested positive for Coronavirus, and is one of the youngest confirmed cases in the current outbreak.  He is a student at Southern Cross Campus. 

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said on Thursday evening Glamorgan School in Torbay on the North Shore and Southern Cross Campus in South Auckland’s Mangere East were closed due to a confirmed Covid-19 case at each facility.

Dr Bloomfield also said Mt Albert Grammar and Pakuranga College are now closed after confirmed cases were linked to them.

Two of these new cases are Covid-positive people in Tokoroa who are from the same household, and are contacts of the two people from Auckland who visited the rest home in Morrinsville.

“The problem is the virus, people are the solution,” Bloomfield reiterated in today's update “There is no blame or stigma in anyone having Covid-19 and we should treat each as other as we would like to be treated.” Bloomfield said this message follows reports health care workers have been verbally abused, which he called “unacceptable”.

Following reports people have been stock piling medicines, Bloomfield reminded the public not to panic. “Pharmacies are an essential service so will remain open,” he said.

Stay tuned for the Government announcement today at 5.30pm where they will giving further information on the Alert Levels for the country.