COVID-19 Updates: 34 Deaths, 4788 New Cases Reported in New Zealand in Past Week
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 18, 2024 6 months, 5 days, 9 hours, 50 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: New Zealand continues to grapple with COVID-19, reporting 4,788 new cases in the past week, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 2.66 million since the pandemic began. Of the new cases, a significant portion, 3,021, were reinfections, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by the virus.
34 COVID-19 Deaths, 4788 New Cases Reported in New Zealand in Past Week
Hospitalizations and Deaths
As of midnight on Sunday, 279 individuals were hospitalized due to COVID-19, although none were in intensive care. Tragically, 34 new deaths were attributed to the virus this past week, raising the total death toll to 4,120. This week's reported deaths included a diverse age range, with the youngest in their 20s and the oldest over 90.
Regional Breakdown
The deaths were distributed across several regions:
-Auckland: 9 deaths
-Wellington: 6 deaths
-Waikato: 4 deaths
-Canterbury: 4 deaths
-Southern: 4 deaths
-Lakes: 2 deaths
-Nelson-Marlborough: 2 deaths
-Tai Rawhiti: 1 death
-South Canterbury: 1 death
Most of the deceased were elderly, with 15 individuals in their 80s, nine in their 70s, four in their 90s, three in their 60s, two in their 50s, and one in their 20s.
https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/data-and-statistics/covid-19-data/covid-19-current-cases/
Weekly Trends
Comparing this week's data to the previous week, there was a slight decrease in new cases, down from 5,230 to 4,788. The seven-day rolling average of new cases also declined to 509 from 758. Despite the reduction in new cases, the death toll saw an increase, from 20 to 34, underscoring the severity of the virus's impact.
Expert Warnings
The latest figures coincide with a stark warning from epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker, who emphasized the increasing likelihood of future pandemics due to the lack of global consensus on pandemic preparedness and response strategies.
Long-term Impact
Since New Zealand's first reported case, the country has seen 2.66 million infections and 4,120 deaths attributed to COVID-19. The long-term effects of the pandemic are evident, with a significant number of reinfections reported and ongoing hospitalizations. Local
COVID-19 News reports indicate that Long COVID is also starting to become a major burden on the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
Case Outcomes and Definitions
To better understand the data, it's essential to note the following definitions:
-Active Cases: Individuals who have t
ested positive for COVID-19 through a PCR test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).
-Recovered Cases: Those who have had the virus, with at least seven days passed since symptoms started, no symptoms for 72 hours, and clearance by a health professional.
-Reinfections: Cases where an individual reported a new infection 29 or more days after their previous positive test.
-Deceased: Includes all deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying or a contributory cause of death.
Regional Case Distribution
The distribution of COVID-19 cases across different regions remains varied:
-Auckland: 250,420 cases with 458 new cases this week.
-Canterbury: 353,469 cases with 763 new cases this week.
-Capital and Coast: 189,911 cases with 444 new cases this week.
-Southern: 195,626 cases with 406 new cases this week.
Each region faces unique challenges in managing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19, with varying numbers of active cases, recovered individuals, and deaths.
Conclusion
The ongoing battle against COVID-19 in New Zealand highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among the public and health authorities. While there has been a slight decrease in new cases, the rise in deaths and the persistence of reinfections serve as reminders of the virus's enduring threat. Public health measures, vaccination, and global collaboration remain critical in the fight against the pandemic and in preventing future outbreaks.
For the latest
COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-hospital-consultations-and-emergency-department-caseloads-on-the-rise-in-france
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