Cabinet meets today to decide on the future of the lockdown levels in Aotearoa and more specifically on Tamaki Makaurau.
Yesterday I thought it was on a knife edge. Numbers of cases had plateaued and most new infections had been quickly linked to existing cases. The virus is that spreadable that households with 7 or 8 people were succumbing and the numbers were being affected by these results.
And, take a bow Aotearoa, the vaccination rates have surged, particularly in Tamaki Makaurau. Latest reports are that 73% of the eligible population have had at least one vaccination shot.
There is some resistance to the lockdown. Wealthy people are struggling with the concept that a lockdown means no movement and no contact unless it is for limited purposes. Reports of trips to Wanaka, Taupo and Wellington have surfaced and there has been some right wing indignation that no contact means not even having drinkies with your wealthy friends in your car port.
The rest of us are getting on with it.
I was cautiously confident that the increased vaccination levels and the decline in community cases with no clear source could mean that Tamaki Makaurau could go to level three.
But news this morning of an infection in the Waikato suggests that not only will level 4 be maintained but the geographical area may be extended. From the Herald:
A leading expert says Waikato may have to move up an alert level following three positive cases in the region – including two school children, one of whom was symptomatic while in class.
Epidemiologist Michael Baker says the three new positive cases are “very frustrating” and now complicates things as Auckland waits to see if it will come out of alert level 4.
Speaking to TVNZ’s Breakfast on Monday, he said the cases – contacts of an on-bail Auckland prisoner who tested positive for the virus late last week – now threatens that move down in alert levels.
Baker added that officials may also now look at whether the Waikato region may have to move up to alert level 3, at least, as a result of the new positive cases.
When the response to the single initial Delta case appearing in Auckland a month ago it is difficult to see how the Government could do anything but the same to the Waikato. And while there are any Auckland cases who have been infectious in the community the same approach would mean that the same level of caution will be required.
I am sorry people but I would be very surprised if Tamaki Makaurau’s levels were moved downwards today. Although I expect the Cabinet will want to review the decision in the near future, presumably in a week’s time.
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