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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 … View moreFrom 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.”
Our February Seniors newsletter is out now. In this issue we announce our Age friendly fund successful recipients, shine a light on the those nominated for the New Years Honours for Services to Seniors and much more. Check it out here: mailchi.mp...
Kia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured … View moreKia ora Aotearoa. Stuff has just finished their annual Summer Snaps competition and we’re thrilled to announce that you'll be the judge of the People and Communities photograph category.
The entries in this category have been shortlisted and we now have five brilliantly captured photographs to battle it out. There's a camera up for grabs for our talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!
Cast your vote in the poll below before 12pm, 11 February.
The Phillipstown Community Hub is relaunching it's walking group.
Come along Wednesdays at 10am.
All ages welcome.
Meet at the hub
The February Newsletter is now online!
Check the news from the Phillipstown Community Hub!
Peri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk… View morePeri-urban areas can be described as the landscape interface between town and country or the rural-urban transition zone where urban and rural areas mix.
The probability of wildfire is driven by the amount and dryness of fuel, ambient weather and ignitions. Dry weather exacerbates wildfire risk in this zone and could significantly impact your property! With one of New Zealand’s hottest and driest summers, discover your property’s fire risk and what you can do to reduce it.
We can produce personalised reports for any house on the planet!
Click here to get your property report: https://property-climate-risk-report.co.nz/
Hi all
Can anyone tell me who does garage door repairs? The make is a Merlin power lift and the door only goes up a few centimetres. On investigation it seems like the cable may have broken. Many thanks
Min
Is your local supermarket low on toilet paper again? Never fear, My Fundraiser is here!
You can support the Foundation through My Fundraiser NZ allowing you to buy toilet paper by the carton. Practical, right? 🚽
Every time you order your toilet paper through My Fundraiser NZ, we receive a … View moreIs your local supermarket low on toilet paper again? Never fear, My Fundraiser is here!
You can support the Foundation through My Fundraiser NZ allowing you to buy toilet paper by the carton. Practical, right? 🚽
Every time you order your toilet paper through My Fundraiser NZ, we receive a 10% donation on your behalf of the full purchase price - that’s $5 for every box sold!
Purchase your toilet paper through the link below! 💚
A Life Beyond Food and Addiction
I don’t remember being obsessed with food when I was very young, the way I was to become. I remember starting to eat at any opportunity I could get. I would arrive home early at meal times to check what was in the pans. Saturday afternoons were spent baking, … View moreA Life Beyond Food and Addiction
I don’t remember being obsessed with food when I was very young, the way I was to become. I remember starting to eat at any opportunity I could get. I would arrive home early at meal times to check what was in the pans. Saturday afternoons were spent baking, while my friends were out shopping. I went on to develop a love for raw cake batter and butter icing and I would make it up when I was desperate for food. Once I started getting money, I would buy sweets and secretly eat them. Meal times were awful, I never felt fulfilled.
Hi , Has anyone out there got access to fresh rabbit, maybe some one who goes shooting that may bring home some rabbit ??
Today is Waitangi Day Aotearoa New Zealand! A day to commemorate the signing of New Zealand’s most historic document Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi.
Our National Support office is closed tomorrow but we will be back in the office on Tuesday and look forward to the week ahead.
… View moreToday is Waitangi Day Aotearoa New Zealand! A day to commemorate the signing of New Zealand’s most historic document Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi.
Our National Support office is closed tomorrow but we will be back in the office on Tuesday and look forward to the week ahead.
Photo Credit: Andy Thompson Photography NZ
Purchase a six month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for $102 and get a free $100 Interflora e-voucher. Terms and conditions apply.
For Xmas , (new) neighbors bought their children a trampoline which they placed near the border fence only a metre from our lounge/living space kitchen. A great gift for children, but a nightmare for us. Their section is not huge so anywhere on that section would be noisy. Children's … View moreFor Xmas , (new) neighbors bought their children a trampoline which they placed near the border fence only a metre from our lounge/living space kitchen. A great gift for children, but a nightmare for us. Their section is not huge so anywhere on that section would be noisy. Children's noises are one thing but noisy play equipment is another. Our home is no longer a place of Peace and Rest, with the continual 'bounce' , 'bounce' any time , morning, noon, evening. Even when quiet, one is in a state of anxiety not knowing when the next bounce will continue again. Myself and friends and boarder are mainly elderly so are more acutely in need of rest and quiet. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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