The National Party is accusing the Health Minister David Clark of causing confusion about the announcement of the third coronavirus case; and PHARMAC have announced they will fully fund the breast cancer drug palbociclib (Ibrance) for all patients with the disease.
1.More details about New Zealand’s third confirmed coronavirus case are due out in about an hour. The case was confirmed this morning but Government health bosses refused to give any more information.
2.The National Party is accusing the Health Minister David Clark of causing confusion about the announcement of the third coronavirus case. Clark announced the third positive test in a television interview this morning but offered no further details delaying them till a later media conference.
3.Some sectors of the economy have been hit hard by the impact of coronavirus while for others things are picking up again. The head of the Government’s Business Advisory Council Fraser Whineray, says the effects vary and some companies are seeing supply chains moving again after disruptions in China and elsewhere.
4.Cabin crew have been stood down from flights that carried a New Zealand woman who tested positive for Covid-19. Air New Zealand has asked the crews to isolate themselves for two weeks as a precaution.
5.In Italy, which has the most serious Covid-19 outbreak in Europe, the Government is stepping up efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Shutting all schools and universities until the middle of the month.
6.PHARMAC have announced they will fully fund the breast cancer drug palbociclib (Ibrance) for all patients with the disease. Access for the life-extending drug will become available to all patients, whether in the first-line, second-line and subsequent-line treatment, from 1 April. Irbance has been described as a “vital drug for women with advanced breast cancer” by the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition.
7.Some farmers in Northland are starting to come forward for financial assistance as a drought in the region continues. Drought conditions there were classified as an adverse event for the primary sector early in February and in south Auckland and Waikato a few weeks later.
8.The jury in trial of a police officer accused of raping his colleague has watched the woman’s first police interview. The man who cannot be named is on trial at the Auckland District Court, having pleaded not guilty to sexual violation and indecent assault.
9.A 19-year-old man has appeared in Court in relation to a reported threat against Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch.Sam Brittenden has been charged with failing to assist during a police search warrant and appeared in the Christchurch District Court today.
10.Stabilization works on the earthquake damaged Christchurch Cathedral has been given the go ahead. The historic 19 Century Cathedral was severely damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and a decision on reinstating it took six years.
11.In the United States Joe Biden’s campaign for President is growing in strength with the withdrawal of billionaire Michael Bloomberg from selection for the Democratic Party.
12.The use of the term “ombudsman” is better protected following the passing of legislation. The Justice Minister Andrew Little, says a growing number of private sector entities are seeking to trade on the right of the authority and its time to give the name better protection.
13.A mechanical failure in a jet unit steering and propulsion system caused a jet-boat crash on the Shotover River last February. In its report, released this morning, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (Taic) found the driver lost control of the boat because of the mechanical failure.
14.The Environment Minister Eugene Saige says voluntary e-waste recycling has failed and it needs to be compulsory. It’s estimated most of the 100,000 tons of computers, televisions and other e-waste generated each year ends up in landfill.
15.The Mayor of Nelson Rachel Reese has paid tribute to a former Mayor and Local Government leader who died this week. Kerry Marshall who was awarded an MBE in 1989 for services to Local Government, died at the age of 81.
16.The Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has sent an impersonator to take his place at the daily briefing for journalists in the capital Brasilia.
17.Passengers and crew on a dolphin-watching cruise near Tauranga have been treated to a rare sighting of a whale shark. The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and can grow up to 18 metres long. Dolphin cruise company Bay Explorer owner Brandon Stone told Morning Report the whale shark that cruised close to the side of his vessel on Tuesday was about 10m, but still presented a spectacular sight.
