Michael BakerA public health expert says New Zealand is in its ninth wave of Covid-19. Prof Baker said the waves were not seasonal, being equally distributed between winter and summer. Prof Baker said there was no data to show if people were still testing, but many had become more complacent. As well as topping up antibodies, Prof Baker said getting regular boosters reduced the risk of Long Covid. The ‘‘disabling illness’’ was not being monitored at all in New Zealand, which Prof Baker said was a ‘‘gap’’ in tracking the virus.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 09, 2026 21:42 UTC