Collected news stories, with a current focus on Covid-19 recovery
NBC News
The Energy Department concluded with "low confidence" that the Covid-19 pandemic "likely" originated from a laboratory leak in Wuhan, China.
The Conversation
New Zealand’s initial elimination approach to COVID has significantly decreased the risk of hospitalisation and death. Now we need to find the right mix of measures to limit infection and reinfection.
RNZ
The Health Minister has announced a bivalent Covid-19 vaccine - which includes protection against Omicron - will be made available to people over 30.
RNZ
There have been 8220 new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand over the past week, and 24 further deaths.
The Conversation
Both New Zealand and Iceland kept death rates from COVID low, but used different strategies. While New Zealand relied on lockdowns and border closures, Iceland ramped up its testing capacity.
RNZ
There have been 8396 community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand over the past week, and 32 further deaths.
NBC News
Adapted to birds, the H5N1 avian flu has been found in various mammals. But it would need a complicated string of mutations to spread more easily in people.
RNZ
The new Covid-19 vaccine for under-5s at risk of severe disease should be considered for all children in the age group given their high infection rate, a epidemiologist says.
the Guardian
Bird flu is a mass killer, and mink farms are perfect for infection and transmission. They are a grave threat and must be banned, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
Newsroom
The money the health system has to fight Covid-19 in the first half of 2023 is less than half of what it had in the second half of 2022.
RNZ
The weekly number of new Covid-19 cases in the community is 8882, with 26 further deaths reported.
NZ Herald
Activists called Jessica Day-Weaver a 'murderer' for having her child vaccinated.
Stuff
Imagine a Google search on steroids, or QAnon that can have thousands of one-on-one conversations with the impressionable. This is what we're facing.
The Conversation
XBB.1.5 and other subvariants do signal a change in how the virus is mutating. Here’s what this means for Australia and globally.
The Conversation
We’re moving towards the ‘disease control’ phase of our response to COVID, which means learning to live with the virus. But significant challenges remain as authorities battle COVID fatigue.
Stuff
OPINION: We all deserve the same invisible protections provided by ventilation and air purifiers those attending the World Economic Forum had.
Newshub
Here's the latest.
RNZ
There have been 13,880 new cases of Covid-19 over the past week, the Ministry of Health has reported.
The Conversation
An upgraded global response to future potential pandemic threats would give the best chance of eliminating new infectious diseases at source before they spread globally.
RNZ
A prominent epidemiologist says the risk of chronic and debilitating illness from long Covid could grow as more people are re-infected.
Stuff
OPINION: The pandemic isn’t over and for those of us still trying to keep up with all the studies it’s really worrying.
NZ Herald
A homegrown Covid-19 vaccine has entered the final stages of preclinical development.
RNZ
A Wellington medical company is running a trial of a combined vaccine for both flu and Covid-19.
Epidemiologist Michael Baker has given his thoughts on the latest subvariant now it's arrived in NZ.
Stuff
A vaccine for people at risk of monkeypox will be available on prescription from January 16, authorities have announced.
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