What you need to know
New Zealand is now in a nationwide level 4 lockdown, with a total of five Covid-19 cases in the community confirmed to be the more transmissible Delta variant.
The four new cases announced Wednesday morning were all linked to the 58-year-old Devonport man – a tradesman – who tested positive on Tuesday. The four include a colleague of the man and close contacts, including a nurse who works at Auckland hospital.
The entire country is at the highest alert level for at least three days while Auckland and Coromandel, where the man spent the weekend, are at level 4 for at least seven days. A list of locations of interest can be found here.
Level 4 means it’s likely that the disease is not contained.
Testing and vaccinations
A full list of community testing centres can be found here. If you think you need a test, call Healthline first on 0800 358 5453. If you get tested, stay home until you have a negative test result. There is no charge to get a test, regardless of your citizenship, immigration status, nationality or medical insurance.
You will need to supply contact details to get a test. A National Health Index (NHI) number is good to have but not crucial.
The most common test is a swab to the back of your nose, which some people describe as a “tickle” and others say is “uncomfortable.”
The vaccination programme has been put on hold for 48 hours. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was to ensure the safety of frontline health workers, as officials tried to get to grips with how wide the latest community case may have spread.
Stay at home
People are instructed to stay home in their bubble other than for essential movement. Safe recreational activity is allowed in the local area but, given the Delta variant is suspected, even more caution is recommended from others to limit transmission.
Poll: Are quality products on the decline?
Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?
Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!
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91.9% Yes
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7.2% No
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0.9% Other - I'll share below
scumbags
There are some really awful people around at the moment. This is what happened on Sunday.
We live in Hinemoa Street opposite the Waiwhetu Stream. At around 3.40 in the afternoon I was looking out my window and saw a car pull up and start to feed the geese and ducks out the window. Then The passenger an asian man jumped out and threw himself onto a goose. he picked it up and put it the boot of the car.
I immediately ran over and stood in front of his car to stop him moving I also called my husband to help. A lovely man was riding his bike and saw it and stopped to help me. The driver tried to drive into me but I didnt move. He tried telling us it was his pet. These are wild geese.
They had a cage in the boot and some wire all ready to catch the poor bird like they have done it before. My husband took the bird from the car and released it. I then moved out of the way and after lots of abuse from the driver they drove off threatening to come back and get more.
No one should be allowed to take these beautiful birds and certainly not like this. they are all starting to have wee babies at the moment the whole thing was so upsetting to me. Another neighbour further down the road also saw it all happen.
Please keep a look out for this car and if you see them by the stream go over and watch them lets all stop this happening.
Kmart duvet recall
Kmart will be recalling a number of their Anko duvet sets.
What you need to know:
- The recall is involving Christmas-themed duvets: Mrs & Mrs Claus Reversible Queen Size Bed Quilt Cover Set and Christmas Elf Reversible Single Bed Quilt Cover Set
- A recall of the products began in Australia following health concerns from several families.
- One woman said she thought she was having a heart attack after using one of the products which smelt of diesel.
- One customer said she’d purchased the quilt covers and said they smelled like gas. Another mum said hers did not have that smell but claimed her son developed a rash that only went away when he stopped using the product.
- The product is no longer available for purchase on the Kmart website.
Regardless of whether you have experienced an issue, customers who have purchased this item may return the product to store for a refund.