Weekly COVID-19 Infections Double in New Zealand! 6146 New Cases, 19 Deaths, and 242 Hospitalized
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 20, 2024 6 months, 2 days, 13 hours, 32 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: New Zealand is grappling with a significant resurgence of COVID-19, as the number of new infections has doubled within a week. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, the country has reported 6146 new COVID-19 cases and 19 additional deaths in the past week, marking a substantial increase from the previous week's figures. This alarming rise in cases and fatalities underscores the ongoing challenges in managing the pandemic.
Weekly COVID-19 Infections Double in New Zealand
A Surge in Cases
In the past week, New Zealand has seen a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases, with the number of new infections almost doubling from 3922 to 6146. This spike in cases has been accompanied by a rise in the number of hospitalizations, with 242 people currently receiving treatment in hospitals across the country as of midnight Sunday. The seven-day rolling average of new cases has climbed to 762, indicating a concerning trend of rising infections.
Breakdown of New Cases
Out of the 6146 new cases reported this week, 3916 were reinfections. Reinfections are defined as cases occurring in individuals who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 at least 29 days prior. Notably, 51 of these reinfections occurred within 90 days of the initial infection, suggesting that some people are contracting the virus again relatively quickly.
Rising Fatalities
The Ministry of Health has reported 19 new deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the past week, bringing the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 4027. This figure includes both deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause and those where it was a contributory factor.
Demographics of the Deceased
The 19 recent deaths included individuals from various age groups and regions. Among the deceased, one was less than 10 years old, one was in their 30s, one in their 40s, one in their 50s, five were in their 60s, six were in their 70s, 15 were in their 80s, and seven were over 90 years old. The gender distribution was 15 women and 22 men.
Regional Distribution of Cases
The resurgence of COVID-19 has affected different regions of New Zealand to varying degrees. Here is a breakdown of new cases by location:
Auckland: 552 new cases
Canterbury: 764 new cases
Capital and Coast: 551 new cases
Counties Manukau: 555 new cases
Waitematā: 781 new cases
Other regions such as Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Wellington have also seen significant increases in new cases. The data highlights the widespread nature of the current outbreak, affecting both urban and rural areas.
https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/data-and-statistics/covid-19-data/covid-19-current-cases/
Hospitalizations and ICU Admissions
As of the latest update, 242 COVID-19
patients are hospitalized, though none are currently in the ICU. This number represents a critical load on the healthcare system, which is working to manage the influx of patients while continuing regular medical services.
Impact on Health Services
The increasing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is placing significant strain on New Zealand's health services. Healthcare workers are dealing with a higher patient load, which is impacting their ability to provide care. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and implementing measures to manage the rising number of cases.
New KP Variants Behind The New Surge
Data indicates that two new KP variants are behind the surge in New Zealand. These are the KP.2 and KP.3 variants.
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/New%20Zealand/AllSamples/Past6M
These variants are believed to be more transmissible and also immune evasive and could be driving disease severity among the vulnerable groups.
Shortage Of COVID-19 ATK Test Kits
According to local
COVID-19 News coverages, many drug stores and pharmacies are running short of COVID-19 ATK test kits and suppliers are claiming a shortage of such kits. Also, it was claimed by some on social media platforms that many clinics and hospitals are not conducting COVID-19 testing unless a person exhibits disease severity.
Government Response
In response to the rising cases, the New Zealand government is urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue following public health guidelines. These include wearing masks in crowded places, practicing good hygiene, and getting vaccinated or receiving booster shots if eligible. The government is also emphasizing the importance of testing and reporting positive cases to track the spread of the virus more effectively.
Conclusion
The sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths in New Zealand over the past week serves as a stark reminder that the pandemic is far from over. With over 6000 new cases and 19 additional deaths reported, the country faces ongoing challenges in managing the virus and protecting public health. Continued vigilance, adherence to public health measures, and a strong healthcare response are crucial in navigating this latest surge in infections.
For the latest
COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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