Stuff
Coronavirus variants spreading across Britain and South Africa have sparked global concern, but new research from one vaccine manufacturer suggests its jab can handle the mutations.
1 NEWS
It comes as New Zealand now has eight cases of the new strain.
The drugs, which save an extra life for every 12 intensive care patients treated, can be used immediately, say experts.
Stuff
Mark Whaley and his wife are both care workers in England. He is more worried about Covid now than he was in March.
the Guardian
A handful of countries – most of them islands, most of them remote – remain coronavirus-free, but life has not remained wholly unchanged
The Standard
Well after the emergence of a mutated Covid virus that is much easier to spread and faced with surging infection rates Boris Johnson has put England into a lockdown similar but not as strong as New Zealand's original lockdown. But the question is, has he done too little too late?
the Guardian
Passengers returning to New Zealand will still need to quarantine for two weeks, at their own expense
The Conversation
The prime minister stands accused of dither and delay for the third time after announcing another England-wide lockdown.
RNZ
UK scientists have expressed concern that Covid-19 vaccines being rolled out in Britain may not be able to protect against a new variant of the coronavirus that emerged in South Africa.
Newshub
Public health experts are closely watching the arrival of a new highly contagious strain of COVID-19 in New Zealand.
RNZ
Public health experts are closely watching the arrival of a new highly contagious strain of Covid-19 in New Zealand's managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
Stuff
OPINION: Could our borders open as soon as October? It's a multibillion-dollar question. Here's how the year could unfold.
RNZ
All travellers from the United Kingdom or the United States will need a negative test result for Covid-19 before departing for New Zealand, the government has confirmed today.
the Guardian
Visitors from UK and North America tell of finding themselves with a pass to one of the best-rated pandemic responses in the world
RNZ
Otago University Medical Professor Michael Baker says his New Year Honour came as a pleasant surprise and is a recognition for all those who work in public health and epidemiology.
Newsroom
Marc Daalder speaks to epidemiologist Michael Baker, who pushed the Government to adopt an elimination strategy
the Guardian
Independent Sage group warns of ‘tens of thousands of avoidable deaths’ without immediate action
RNZ
A British variant of Covid-19 does not appear to cause more severe illness than other variants, according to a matched study.
RNZ
Queensland has detected a case of the new South African variant of coronavirus in a returned traveller.
the Guardian
Vietnam’s 2003 Sars epidemic and Senegal’s 2014 Ebola outbreak informed their fast and effective responses, says science writer Laura Spinney
RNZ
The 63-year-old had recently arrived from the Pacific, and was staying at the Grand Millennium.
1 NEWS
Returnees from the UK or US will get an extra day zero or day one test.
NZ Herald
Plans for pre-departure tests for those leaving the UK for New Zealand are underway.
1 NEWS
“So far, we think the vaccine should remain effective...but we’re going to test that," Pascal Soriot said.
Newshub
The alarm at the Grand Mercure in Auckland went off shortly after 6pm.