More than 14,000 New Zealanders could die and tens of thousands more could be hospitalised if the country fails in its efforts to stamp out Covid-19, according to new research; and PHARMAC will ease restrictions on at least nine cancer drugs, including keytruda for the treatment of advanced melanoma, to reduce hospital visits and cut the risk of highly vulnerable patients catching Covid-19.
1.More than 14,000 New Zealanders could die and tens of thousands more could be hospitalised if the country fails in its efforts to stamp out Covid-19, according to new research. The Otago University projections paint a bleak picture, but are more optimistic than other modelling by the University of Auckland’s Te Pūnaha Matatini.
2.Police have not ruled out taking a tougher approach to clear out city hotspots where hundreds of people are going for their lockdown fresh air fixes. Police Commissioner Mike Bush expressed surprise and concern yesterday about the volumes of people trekking to Wellington’s Oriental Parade for exercise, and he is reinforcing pleas to stay local.
3.Two disabilities support workers have caught Covid-19 has confirmed the worst fears of a Northland mother with a severely disabled son. She and thousands like her have been asking the Government for weeks for personal protective equipment, such as face masks but still don’t have them.
4.PHARMAC will ease restrictions on at least nine cancer drugs, including keytruda for the treatment of advanced melanoma, to reduce hospital visits and cut the risk of highly vulnerable patients catching Covid-19.
5.A US Navy ship has arrived in New York to relieve pressure on the city’s overstretched hospitals by freeing up beds for coronavirus patients. The ship has 1000 beds and 12 operation rooms.
6.Flights chartered by the German Government to repatriate its citizens stranded in New Zealand have been postponed. The first took off successfully but further flights have been put off .
7.The Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation, following his diagnosis of coronavirus. Prince Charles, 71, spent seven days self-isolating in Scotland after testing positive and displaying mild symptoms.
8.A woman has inspired hundreds of neighbourhoods around New Zealand to clap for essential workers. Since last week, Belinda Clark said she would clap for a minute at 7pm every night outside her home in appreciation of the workers.
9.A bid to overturn a law that criminalises gay sex in Singapore has been dismissed by a court, dealing a blow to the city state’s LGBT movement. The high court rejected appeals by three gay men who had argued the colonial-era law was unconstitutional. The presiding judge said the law was “important in reflecting public sentiment and beliefs” in Singapore.
