https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/new-potential-community-covid-19-case-in-hamilton

Why is this? 

The case is now the fourth person to test positive after isolating at the Pullman Hotel and testing negative for Covid-19 multiple times during their stay, only testing positive after re-entering the community.

Just a reflection that the tests are not terribly accurate? Or an issue post test 3 and release?

Or a Pullman Hotel specific issue?

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the reason it took several tests for her to return a positive result is due to the variable nature of COVID-19.

"You have some people who test positive who are completely asymptomatic and not even aware they're infected, others have quite significant symptoms," he said on Thursday.

"But it can take two to three days before they're shedding enough virus, particularly in the throat, that the test picks it up."

Could it be that the virus was on something that these people took away with them? like if incoming people were hanging around their luggage before they leave or something?

richms:

Could it be that the virus was on something that these people took away with them? like if incoming people were hanging around their luggage before they leave or something?

Yeah could be, but we have had 100,000 through MIQ, the odd issue, but Pullman in a short space of tine has had a few

Bottom line is this will always happen. Its not a fail

tdgeek:

 

Bottom line is this will always happen. Its not a fail

 

If they can't identify exactly what happened then they can't take corrective action specific to the point of failure of the MIQ procedures. 

It might not be "unexpected", but it is a fail.

Another “mystery” where we can’t quite nail down what’s happened/happening... I think there’s so much we don’t know, so we need to be more cautious.

Seems to me as someone who knows nothing about viruses, but is reading the news of similar happenings overseas, that perhaps 14 days is not long enough to isolate incoming travellers. Seems like a few cases are being picked up after 14 days in MIQ and however many negative tests during that time frame. 

Requiring 5 days at home for Pullman guests seems to have been a good interim step, but maybe we need to make that a permanent feature. I understand we’ve had 1000s through MIQ so these incidents are a small percentage, but they’re concerning. We’ve been lucky so far with them but surely that luck runs out at some point?

We may have a problem with our purchase of 7.6 million doses of the AZ vaccine.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-02-07-chadox1-ncov-19-provides-minimal-protection-against-mild-moderate-covid-19-infection

So if not very effective in protecting over 65s (ie the most vulnerable) and not very effective in reducing infection (and presumably transmission by) young adults, it's not going to do the trick WRT achieving "herd immunity" to the SA variant.  That doesn't bode well for the vaccine being much use in the medium term.  Countries rolling out the AZ vaccine but not having widespread incidence of the SA variant may have a short term solution, but as the SA variant is already there, it'll eventually become the common variant in circulation.

Someone leaked this information yesterday, AZ have now confirmed it, but as yet without full details.

A Wellness 4 Humanity Covid-19 Home Test Kit vending machine in New York

The Washington Post - For $149, this Oakland Airport vending machine dispenses covid tests

06 Feb 2021

SAN FRANCISCO - Vending machines give us candy bars, soda, headphones and even cupcakes.

 

But the latest dispenser at the airport in Oakland, Calif., is distributing something more critical: coronavirus tests.

 

The two machines, at each of Oakland’s terminals, work like pretty much any modern vending machine - make a selection on the screen and reach down to pick up your choice. 

 

In this case, though, the tests carry a significantly higher price tag (about $149) than a bottled water. 

 

But the cost of the test can be submitted to insurance later for reimbursement. ...

 

Fred99:

 

We may have a problem with our purchase of 7.6 million doses of the AZ vaccine.

 

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-02-07-chadox1-ncov-19-provides-minimal-protection-against-mild-moderate-covid-19-infection

 

So if not very effective in protecting over 65s (ie the most vulnerable) and not very effective in reducing infection (and presumably transmission by) young adults, it's not going to do the trick WRT achieving "herd immunity" to the SA variant.  That doesn't bode well for the vaccine being much use in the medium term.  Countries rolling out the AZ vaccine but not having widespread incidence of the SA variant may have a short term solution, but as the SA variant is already there, it'll eventually become the common variant in circulation.

 

Someone leaked this information yesterday, AZ have now confirmed it, but as yet without full details.

 

I was a bit cold on the AstraZeneca vaccine due to it's lower efficacy anyway. (based on the approx 70% from stage 3 trials.

We are in a fortunate position in NZ to be wealthy enough to order vaccines for triple our countries population, so we can cherry pick the best, or not be beholden to supply issues from a single supplier.

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-types-vaccines

Each of the vaccines we have on the list has significant advantages:

Pfizer and BioNTech: - Allready medsafe approved, expected to be first to arrive, has been rolled out elsewhere for a couple of months, so have real world data to lean on. Data from Israel suggests it is extremely effective. Expensive.

Janssen Pharmaceutica (Johnson & Johnson): - On the virge of submitting emergency use authorization to the USA & likely to become the third approved vaccine in the USA. Single dose. Easier storage requirements. Sadly only 66% effective in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19 in trails. 85% Effective Overall in Preventing Severe Disease.

Novavax: - Most likely to be able to stop transmission as it was able to stop virus from appearing in the nose of monkeys unlike the other vaccines. May be quite late on the scene, and struggle with production, but good to have a foot in this camp just in case some of the others prove poorly effective at preventing spread.

AstraZeneca: - Cheap, fridge stable. Will have lots of real world data rolling in.