Coronavirus: Moving to alert level 1 unlikely amid growing ‘subgroups’

For 100 days, New Zealand appeared to have cleared the coronavirus, yet on August 11, several cases reappeared in the community, seemingly out of nowhere.

Now, just as the country’s largest group, with tentacles stretching from the North Shore to Tokoroa, appears to be mostly contained, the growth of new “subgroups” is dashing hopes that life could return to normal soon.

On Thursday, Health Minister Chris Hipkins announced that two new Covid-19 infections had been found in the Auckland community. Two returnees had also tested positive at managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities.

Both community cases were epidemiologically linked to the largest conglomerate in the country.

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University of Otago professor of public health and epidemiologist Michael Baker said that while the decline in the number of daily cases was an encouraging sign, it will likely take several weeks, or even months, for New Zealand to end transmission. community for the second time.

The latest outbreak began when four family members who had no ties to foreign travel tested positive for the virus on August 11.

Although they were rushed from their home in South Auckland to the Jet Park Quarantine Facility in Auckland, more cases of coronavirus were confirmed among close family contacts over the next few days.

However, it was later revealed that the virus had already spread through schools, workplaces, and even buses.

The outbreak led the government to put the Auckland region back into lockdown level 3 and move the rest of the country to level 2.

A month later, with Auckland now at alert level 2.5, 173 coronavirus cases, 80 of which are considered ‘active’, have been linked to what is known as the Auckland August cluster.

Some people connected to the group attended services and a wedding at Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship, which led to the formation of a “subgroup” among the congregation.

On Wednesday the existence of another subgroup, linked to “mourning activities”, was announced.

One positive case in that group is that of a student at St. Dominic’s Catholic College in Henderson, which has now been temporarily closed.

Supermarkets in Albany, Browns Bay, New Lynn, Quay St, Te Atatu, Henderson and Ormiston also closed for a deep cleaning after shoppers tested positive for Covid-19.

Baker said Auckland appeared to be experiencing an outbreak made up of multiple “evolving” clusters.

The incubation period of the virus made the current cases a reflection of the restrictions that were in place about 10 days ago.

On Monday, the Cabinet is expected to meet to decide whether to ease the restrictions.

After announcing the new cases Thursday, Hipkins issued a stern warning to New Zealanders, saying that the “repeated, deliberate and malicious” spread of misinformation was jeopardizing a possible move to alert level 1.

However, Baker said it was too early to ease the restrictions anyway.

“I don’t think it is possible to go to level 1 under these conditions. I just don’t think that’s acceptable. “

In his opinion, New Zealand needed a few days without new cases before it was safe to consider relaxing the rules.

Baker and several other scientists have called for a review of the alert level system.

He wanted the Government to clarify the definitions of alert level 2.5 and 1.5.

Baker advocated for the country to move slowly, with Auckland spending at least a couple of weeks at Tier 2 before the region moved to Tier 1 again.

In fact, he said more restrictions, such as limiting travel between Auckland and other regions, might be necessary to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

He also expected the government to order the wearing of masks in all closed public places, including workplaces and schools.