Hospitalisations and deaths from Covid-19 in Canterbury are expected to increase because of rapidly rising case numbers, local health officials say. The warning was published on Thursday in a fortnightly update from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury, formerly the Canterbury District Health Board. (First published September 21)The ministry’s explanation for that increase was the same as that outlined by Canterbury health officials: new Omicron subvariants, waning vaccination protection, and peoples changing behaviour. The true number of Covid-19 cases could be 45% higher than official numbers, RNZ reported on Thursday. Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) science leader Dr Brent Gilpin told RNZ the officials numbers did not include everyone infected.

Source: Stuff November 03, 2022 08:05 UTC