An email update from John Whaanga, Deputy Director-General, Māori Health Directorate:
Nei rā te īnoi ki te Atua Matua i te rangi, kia taka iho mai āna manaakitanga ki runga i a tātou i tēnei wā taumaha nei.
Throughout the past week, I’ve been reminded of our strength as Māori to adapt and survive. Amongst the piki and the heke of the latest outbreak, our people have remained resolute, determined to support our whānau through this current crisis; and that’s because crisis isn’t new to us. Generation after generation our people have faced insurmountable challenges and overcome them – this current challenge is no different.
So, thank you again to our health providers for going above and beyond to support our whānau. Thank you for working around the clock to ensure our people get the care they need. Working in health, especially during crises, can often be a thankless job, so it’s important we take the time to acknowledge the immense mahi our people are doing – ko koutou ā-runga.
Latest update on the outbreak
There are 62 new community cases of COVID-19 in Aotearoa to confirm today. This brings the total number of cases in the community outbreak to 210.
Of these 62 new cases, 36 are wahine and 26 are tāne. 40 of these are from Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, three are Māori, seven are Asian, five are European, and the ethnicity of seven of the cases is currently unknown.
The total number of community cases in Tāmaki Makaurau is now 198 and 12 are in Pōneke.
As previously indicated, it’s not unexpected to see a rise in daily case numbers at this stage. At its peak last year, we had a daily total of 89 new cases.
Testing still a priority across the motu
Yesterday, 49,745 tests were processed across Aotearoa. This is a massive effort, nā reira ka mihi ki a koutou ngā kāiwhakamātau.
Testing nationwide remains a priority in determining the spread and edges of the latest outbreak. You can help us track down the virus by reviewing the over 480 locations of interest listed on the Ministry’s website. If you have been at any of these locations of interest during the relevant time, please follow the directions for that location and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453. If you were not at the location of interest at the relevant time, you do not need to be tested.
If you need to get a test, please bring your NHI number with you. This makes the process quicker for our kaimahi. You can find your NHI number on a prescription, a prescription medicine bottle label, a hospital letter, or on your online patient portal provided by your GP. Alternatively, you can give the Ministry a phone call and ask on 0800 855 066.
Every test that is processed helps us track down the virus so we can knock it out.
30+ year-olds are now able to book in their vaccinations
Yesterday was the busiest day of the vaccination programme for all ethnicities by far.
For both Mâori and Pacific, the three busiest days in our programme happened in the past week. Since lockdown started, 31,580 doses have been administered to Māori and yesterday, we delivered an astounding 8570 doses to Māori.
Heoi anō e te iwi, we still have a long way to go. So, please keep encouraging your friends and whānau who are eligible to book in for their vaccinations. It’s safe, and it’s free.
On that note, whānau aged 30 and over are now able to book in for their vaccines. The rest of our whānau will be able to book in for their vaccines from the 1st of September.
From tomorrow, the Ministry will begin surveying people to find out about any reactions they’ve had after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Up to 10% of Aotearoa will be randomly selected and invited to participate in the survey, which is optional. They will receive a text message from the Ministry of Health six days after the first dose and 43 days after the second dose, asking whether they had any reactions to the vaccine dose.
Support still available for our whānau
If you or any of your friends and whānau are struggling right now, then please know there is support available to you.
You can call the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 559 009 for help. You can also check out their website which has information on online shopping services, temporary accommodation, and financial support.
Additionally, you can use the COVID-19 financial support tool on the Unite Against COVID-19 website to see what support is available.
Please remind your friends and whānau to get information on COVID-19 and the vaccine from our trusted sources – the Ministry of Health, Unite Against COVID, and Karawhiua channels.
For guidance on protecting yourself and your whānau from COVID-19 misinformation and scams, visit the Unite Against COVID website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or my team at: maorihealth@health.govt.nz