We might be over Covid, in the sense we are sick of having to concern ourselves with it, but that does not mean it is going away. However, it is worth remembering that about one in a thousand people who get Covid 19 die from it and there are an average of 16 deaths a day in New Zealand. As University of Otago epidemiologist Prof Michael Baker says, that death rate continued over a year would mean well over 5000 deaths. The Covid-19 vaccinations may not be perfect, but they are still our best defence against hospitalisation. If the surge in Covid cases continues, stretching the rubber bands in the health system even more, it is hard to tell if the Government would be prepared to impose any further restrictions, such as taking us back into the Red traffic light setting.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 10, 2022 16:35 UTC