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Professor Michael Baker.
photo: supply
Professor Michael Baker said New Zealand is experiencing its highest peak in COVID cases since December 2022.
Last week, the ministry reported that 6,146 new confirmed cases and 19 deaths.
This is a significant increase from the number of cases reported last year. Last week – Currently 3922.
Baker said those figures come from wastewater testing, but hospitalizations have also increased.
“About 35 people a day go to the hospital with the infection,” he said.
Baker told RNZ first One in three people are still contagious five days after testing positive for the virus.
Although the current recommended quarantine period is only five days, Baker recommends that people who are still diagnosed with the coronavirus should wait until the sixth or seventh day to get tested before returning to society.
“The biology hasn’t changed,” Baker said, but there’s more pressure for people to return to work and school.
Baker said he hopes to see funding this week Budget Responding to Covid-19.
It is important for health and productivity that the government continues to fund booster shots, RAT testing, and antiviral drugs.
Once people have to pay for these things, low-income families lose out on opportunities.
Baker said fairness and justice must be maintained.
Baker said it’s also important to prioritize booster shots.
People over 30 can get booster shots every six months.
While the vaccine cannot prevent people from getting infected with the coronavirus and potentially spreading it, it can activate parts of the body’s immune system to help prevent people from becoming seriously ill.
Baker also encouraged people to wear masks, especially N95 masks, which provide a good seal over the mouth and nose.
one Baker recently participated in a study that confirmed the use of masks It really helps reduce the spread of respiratory infections.
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