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Chris McKeen / Stuff
The Covid variant is considerably more transmissible than previous strains, but not necessarily more dangerous for those infected. (File photo)
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
There is an increased risk of community transmission of the UK strain of Covid-19 that is now reaching the country, says epidemiologist Michael Baker.
Today 31 new imported cases of Covid-19 were reported, and the Health Ministry also revealed that 19 people have tested positive for the most infectious variant of the UK virus at the New Zealand border in the past four weeks.
The variant is considerably more transmissible than the previous strains, but not necessarily more dangerous for those infected. First detected in November, the variant has led to an increase in cases in the UK and has now spread across the world.
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The Health Ministry said today that most of the 19 cases seen in New Zealand’s managed isolation facilities had arrived in the country from the UK via the United Arab Emirates, Qatar or Singapore.
“Infection prevention control protocols are in place for all staff and we can assure the public that there is no increased risk to the community.”
But Baker said there was clearly a risk.
“As soon as you have a variant that is more infectious, it means that those who have it are more likely to infect people on the flight to New Zealand, more likely to infect other people in controlled isolation and the staff working there.
“If the variant enters the community, it is more likely to cause an outbreak and it will be more difficult to control.”
Supplied
There is an increased risk of community transmission of the UK strain of Covid-19 that is now reaching the country, says epidemiologist Michael Baker. (File photo)
Baker said the ministry was right that the same strict protocols were followed at the border, but that from a risk assessment point of view, the risk has increased.
“Pre-flight tests will obviously reduce the number of positive cases at the border; some countries have banned arrivals from the UK altogether, but that’s going too far.
“We still have to allow New Zealanders to go home, but we must do more to reduce the number of infected people traveling by air.”
People should stay home for the week before their flight and be extra cautious when traveling to the airport, he said.
“We have a reservation system, so we know who will return to New Zealand as most have arranged their plans months in advance.
“We should contact them and give them advice on what they should and should not do,” Baker said.
He said that people often use their time before a flight to catch up with friends and family to say goodbye, increasing the risk of contracting Covid-19.
“There is a vital opportunity in the week before a flight to reduce the chance of contracting the virus, so that could be the next focus of New Zealand’s defense against it.”
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
