The SIG’s stand on the importance of vaccinations
I would like to share with readers the latest news relating to Covid-19 in relation to New Zealand and NSW in Australia.
The facts speak for themselves and one can appreciate why the Solomon Islands government is taking the Covid threat seriously, and particularly the threat posed by the Delta variant of the virus.
The following two news bulletins from RNI were relayed this morning, 4 August 2021, and I quote each of them.
Covid-19: NSW records 233 new community cases and two deaths
The New South Wales Premier has reported 233 new community cases of Covid-19 in the state as well as two Covid-related deaths.
Forty-seven of the new Covid-19 cases were infectious while in the community, Gladys Berejiklian said.
One of those who died was a man in his 20s who died in his home overnight.
"Obviously our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Berejiklian said.
"But it demonstrates again how this disease is lethal, how it affects people of all ages. Unfortunately the gentleman wasn't vaccinated, hadn't had any dose of the vaccine. As we understand the death happened quite suddenly."
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the man was isolating at home and was being treated by south-western Sydney local health district during his isolation period and had reached day 13.
"He was being followed up daily by nursing staff and suddenly deteriorated," Dr Chant said.
Dr Chant said the man was at home with another person, who also has Covid-19.
The second death was a woman from her 80s from the inner west at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She tested positive on 27 July and was at the hospital since then. She was not vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Victoria recorded no new community Covid-19 cases today while Queensland recorded 17 community cases on day 3 of its lockdown.
End of quote.
Covid-19 vaccine update: Two million doses administered in New Zealand
Two million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have now been given in New Zealand, with the Covid-19 Response Minister saying the pandemic is not coming to an end and it is important to keep the virus out of this country.
Chris Hipkins and joint head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Megan Main have given a coronavirus and vaccine update this afternoon.
Mr. Hipkins says the current international situation reinforces the imperative of taking a staunch risk-based approach to dealing with Covid-19. He says cases worldwide are surging again, with an increase of 20 percent in the last two weeks of July, with more than half a million new cases reported each day.
The WHO says the delta variant has reached 132 countries and continues to spread, with cases rising in multiple continents.
In the USA, a renewed surge of cases has seen the seven-day average increase more than 500 percent to an average of 80,000 cases a day.
The pandemic is not coming to an end, Hipkins says, and it is important to keep the virus and particularly the delta variant out of New Zealand.
End of quote.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
