Covid 19 coronavirus: Officials are ready to reveal today’s cases

Authorities are ready to reveal if there are any new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, a day after Auckland rejoined the country at alert level 1.

The Ministry of Health will issue a statement around 1:00 p.m. with the latest information.

A total of 12,709 of the 15,200 workforce at MIQ facilities and at the border have received Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines so far, three weeks after the vaccine’s rollout program, RNZ reported today.

Twenty-one frontline workers have refused the Covid-19 hit.

The chief of Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), Brigadier General Jim Bliss, confirmed the figures after anecdotal reports more than a week ago about staff who rejected the jab.

Brigadier Bliss said RNZ staff have the right to refuse the vaccine, but there are ramifications. “We go through an education process and we also have a conversation with their employer about the next steps for them and that is one more conversation with the worker,” he said.

Bliss said all staff receive information about the vaccine, but those who refuse receive additional information.

“We are strongly encouraging our entire workforce at MIQ and at the border to get vaccinated and if not, there should be a conversation about whether that worker is reassigned to the organization or what the next steps are. Hopefully we will get them. on the side and vaccinated as part of the workforce. “

Bliss said she expected the number of front-line personnel vaccinated to grow as workers returned from leave or rotated based on shift patterns.

He said that despite the handful of rejections, the acceptance was reassuring, saying that front-line staff were doing a great service to the country.

“It’s a great result so far,” Bliss said.

The vaccine launch aims to reach two million kiwis in four months, and people are at higher risk if they detect that Covid-19 is next in line behind border and healthcare workers.

The vaccine will then be offered to older people with relevant health concerns living in South Auckland, in nursing homes or living in a healthcare setting.

Then, starting in May, kiwis over 70, then over 65 before the vaccine is offered to the rest of the population in July.