1034 days ago

Covid-19: Older, vulnerable Kiwis urged to ‘hunker down’ when Omicron cases peak

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Cate Broughton:
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Older and vulnerable people are being encouraged to “hunker down” in their homes during the peak of the Omicron virus, by some health experts – but others say this isn’t necessary.

New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely is based at Melbourne University and says he encouraged his nearly 80-year-old parents – who live in Rotorua – to stay at home when Omicron cases climb and the virus becomes endemic.

However, Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to support giving this advice to cancer patients.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was community transmission of the Omicron variant in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Health on Monday reported confirmed Omicron cases in the Nelson-Tasman region, Auckland and Palmerston North.

Blakely said he talked to his parents about continuing their usual activities while using a N95 mask, but “hunkering down” when cases climbed.

“You probably do that for another 10 days until case numbers start to go up in Rotorua, and then you really hunker down. So that’s what we’ve talked about.”

Blakely said “the maths of an epidemic” meant up to half of the population was likely to get infected with Omicron.

“The trick is to make sure the people who get infected are the young ones. So you accept that. You accept there will be hospitalisations associated with that.

But to minimise the hospitalisations, the mortality and morbidity – a bit like trench warfare – you send over the young ones, and you hunker down the oldies and those with co-morbidities.”

Blakely said his parents, who are double vaccinated and have had their booster, had already decided to stay at home when cases climbed.

But he said it was hard to say how long this period should last.

New Zealand’s traffic light setting of red – the highest level of restrictions under the traffic light system –would help to slow the spread of Omicron, and protect essential services from being overwhelmed, but this would also mean the peak of the virus would last longer, Blakely said.

“Here’s the deep irony, the better New Zealanders are at flattening the curve, the longer the hunker down will be.”

Blakely acknowledged prolonged periods of isolation for the elderly and vulnerable could have significant mental health impacts.

In Australia, Omicron has taken a huge toll on the aged-care sector with hundreds of outbreaks in aged care homes. But some families have said the lockdowns were overly cautious and too hard on the elderly residents, most of whom were fully vaccinated.

Wellington GP and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice (RNZCGPs) medical director Bryan Betty said the Australian experience of Omicron showed it could peak for as long as four to six weeks.

Betty said most people – including fit older people – would experience a mild to moderate illness, if infected.

“However, the caveat on this is ... we know the biggest risk factor for a poorer outcome from Covid is age, the elderly population in particular are vulnerable to a poorer outcome with Covid.”

Betty said it would be good for older people to consider staying home, with some support from friends and family, “as the case numbers rise” in the community.

Cancer Society medical director Kate Gregory said there was not enough evidence to date to support advising patients to stay home, but this could change “if we see much higher numbers”.

“If, in a week’s time we are seeing thousands and thousands of cases we may be advising people differently. I think the reassuring thing we’ve seen is that Omicron doesn’t seem to cause such severe disease and we know the vaccine provides very good protection.”

Gregory said for cancer patients the best defence is to be vaccinated and for the people in their households to be vaccinated.”

She said in her experience a “vast majority” of cancer patients had received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, many with a third primary dose.

“It’s a frightening time, and especially for those who are more vulnerable.

"I think as long as people have the vaccine, wear the mask, do the hand-washing and get tested promptly, I think that’s probably fine. At the moment, that’s the advice we’re giving our patients.”

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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2 days ago

Warnings about scams

The Team from New Zealand Police

This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.

Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.

How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.

If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.

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2 days ago

Older residents call for Amberley bus service

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A lack of public transport and access to healthcare were among the issues raised in recent a survey of older residents in the Hurunui district.

The Hurunui District Council surveyed residents aged over 60 during August and September, as it looks to develop an age-friendly community plan to support an ageing population.

There are currently no public bus services in Hurunui, which includes the town of Amberley, about 40km north of Christchurch.

Community development facilitator Vanessa Nelmes said public transport is a big issue for many elderly people, while accessing medical care when needed remains a concern.

While there are a number of community vehicle trusts operating in the district, respondents felt a regular bus service from Amberley to Rangiora and/or Christchurch is needed.

Hurunui mayor Marie Black has been among those advocating for a bus service, but for now Environment Canterbury says there are no plans to offer public transport in the district.

The distance to medical care in Christchurch and the lack of a dentist were also mentioned, Nelmes said.

The survey received 213 responses from residents aged from 60 to their 90s, with half coming from residents in the south ward, which includes Amberley.

Nelmes said the survey found a majority of the respondents felt confident using computers, internet and / or smart phones.

‘‘It kind of puts that myth to bed that old people don’t like using technology.

‘‘I think we really do need to change our mindset compared to what is really happening in our community.’’

Although about 50 respondents said they were not confident using technology, showing there was still a need for providing support.

The survey also asked if people would like to improve their skills with technology and it was ‘‘evenly split’’, Nelmes said.

A concerning trend in the survey was a number of respondents who said they felt socially isolated, especially those new to the community, she said.

‘‘We had half a dozen people who replied along the lines, ‘you have to put yourself out there, but it’s how to make the first step’.’’

The survey has been analysed by the age-friendly steering group, which plans to widen its membership to include different agencies such as district nursing and is seeking a rural voice, Nelmes said.

Council staff plan to do a stocktake of services available for senior citizens in the district, before beginning work on a draft age-friendly plan.

Environment Canterbury public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said there are no plans to extend bus services into Amberley or the wider Hurunui district.

‘‘The focus for public transport improvements is on delivery of the core routes in Christchurch and the direct services between the main urban areas in Waimakariri and Selwyn districts and Christchurch City.

‘‘Service improvements are reliant on funding through local rates and the National Land Transport Programme.’’

She said routes outside large urban areas are unlikely to meet the funding criteria in the 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme.

But as part of the 2025/26 annual plan staff are considering how to best serve the rural community, including assessing new routes outside the Greater Christchurch boundary.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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