2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

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2349 posts

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#2718365 4-Jun-2021 16:25

Given that we do some sewage testing.
Airlines have said they have excellent filters in their cabin ventilations systems.

I'm surprised that aircraft filters are not being sampled and checked, as a warning monitor.
Got to be easier than sewage testing. Plus you get results down to a flight by flight level.
Rather than just tossing them.

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Fred99

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#2718372 4-Jun-2021 16:37

tdgeek:

Two cases of Delta variant B.1617.2 in Melbourne

The concern is that these two cases are unrelated to all other known CT cases in the Melbourne outbreak. Potentially a new source, over and above what Melbourne currently is seeing.

Hopefully as they sequence more, it becomes a "normal" CT transmission with a known source

Possibly a bit worse than that:

Brett Sutton said the Indian variant known as the Delta strain had been identified in two cases that were "unrelated to all of the other cases in our cluster thus far in Melbourne".

He said authorities had been unable to closely link the cases to other Delta variant cases previously sequenced from hotel quarantine systems across Australia.

It's believed one of the parents of the West Melbourne family is the index case in the Delta outbreak, which has now been linked to seven cases across two families.

Another child has also returned an indeterminate test result, but is expected to be confirmed later as a positive case.

Around 300 primary close contacts of the family have so far been tested.

Professor Sutton said there was anecdotal evidence that the Delta strain may be both more transmissible in children, and lead to a greater severity of illness in children.

dafman

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#2718396 4-Jun-2021 17:33

Technofreak:

I recommend listening to this podcast to get one expert's view on how well New Zealand has handled Covid 19.

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/the-leighton-smith-podcast/leighton-smith-podcast-episode-105-april-7th-2021/

Is he still going? I’d rather skin myself and roll in salt than endure Leighton, but each to their own.

Technofreak

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#2718397 4-Jun-2021 17:34

wellygary:

tdgeek:

Two cases of Delta variant B.1617.2 in Melbourne

The concern is that these two cases are unrelated to all other known CT cases in the Melbourne outbreak. Potentially a new source, over and above what Melbourne currently is seeing.

Hopefully as they sequence more, it becomes a "normal" CT transmission with a known source

Yes, but they still haven't got an epidemical link of the first case back to the person from the SA medi-hotel...

We never found out how the Feb outbreak happened either....

It Might be time to require a bit more departure testing in OZ for our bubble...

Can't help thinking that some people are forgetful about their movements/contacts and/or are being rather economical with the truth and/or there are people in the community that are asymptomatic and spreading the virus.

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Technofreak

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#2718401 4-Jun-2021 17:42

dafman:

Technofreak:

I recommend listening to this podcast to get one expert's view on how well New Zealand has handled Covid 19.

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/the-leighton-smith-podcast/leighton-smith-podcast-episode-105-april-7th-2021/

Is he still going? I’d rather skin myself and roll in salt than endure Leighton, but each to their own.

There's plenty of radio announcers I don't particularly like but from time to time they all have guests that are very worth while listening to. This episode is very much about the guest.

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alasta

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#2718427 4-Jun-2021 18:30

I hope NZME personalities aren't dishing out opinions on the Covid-19 vaccine. It would be like getting vaccine advice from Facebook.

sbiddle

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#2720078 7-Jun-2021 09:05

I still don't understand why NZ never approved the AstraZeneca vaccine (and has no plans to approve it). We're going to sign off on the J&J/Janssen vaccine next week which will mean that can be used here once shipments arrive, but with the govt complaining about a lack of vaccines it seems stupid that we could have been vaccinating elderly with AZ (which some data is showing delivers better results than Pfizer).

I assume that media releases such as this are hot air as well since we can't donate AZ without Medsafe approval, and with no plans to approve it here means we can never donate it. That it itself leads to another question - could we possibly have stocks of AZ here in NZ that we're not currently using?

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new%C2%A0zealand-donate-250000-courses-covid-19-vaccines-fiji

Technofreak

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#2720080 7-Jun-2021 09:20

sbiddle:

I still don't understand why NZ never approved the AstraZeneca vaccine (and has no plans to approve it). We're going to sign off on the J&J/Janssen vaccine next week which will mean that can be used here once shipments arrive, but with the govt complaining about a lack of vaccines it seems stupid that we could have been vaccinating elderly with AZ (which some data is showing delivers better results than Pfizer).

I assume that media releases such as this are hot air as well since we can't donate AZ without Medsafe approval, and with no plans to approve it here means we can never donate it. That it itself leads to another question - could we possibly have stocks of AZ here in NZ that we're not currently using?

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new%C2%A0zealand-donate-250000-courses-covid-19-vaccines-fiji

I've been told by two recently retired doctor friends from Australia that the Pfizer vaccine is better than the AZ vaccine. They gave the impression they would have preferred to have been given the Pfizer vaccine.

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Batman

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#2720084 7-Jun-2021 09:36

it's better. why did our govt go all in on pfizer. but for the real world both will end the pandemic ie give enough herd immunity and stop enough people getting super sick.

sbiddle

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#2720085 7-Jun-2021 09:37

Technofreak:

sbiddle:

I still don't understand why NZ never approved the AstraZeneca vaccine (and has no plans to approve it). We're going to sign off on the J&J/Janssen vaccine next week which will mean that can be used here once shipments arrive, but with the govt complaining about a lack of vaccines it seems stupid that we could have been vaccinating elderly with AZ (which some data is showing delivers better results than Pfizer).

I assume that media releases such as this are hot air as well since we can't donate AZ without Medsafe approval, and with no plans to approve it here means we can never donate it. That it itself leads to another question - could we possibly have stocks of AZ here in NZ that we're not currently using?

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new%C2%A0zealand-donate-250000-courses-covid-19-vaccines-fiji

I've been told by two recently retired doctor friends from Australia that the Pfizer vaccine is better than the AZ vaccine. They gave the impression they would have preferred to have been given the Pfizer vaccine.

It's not really possible to make an across the board statement that Pfizer being better than AZ - and I would question the knowledge of anybody who makes a simple statement like that and says it is better. There are pros and cons to both vaccines, and plenty of real world data from the past few months that look at this very issue. It's the very same reasons why we are approving the J&J/Janssen vaccine, because there are some people who are unable to receive the Pfizer due to risk factors.

What is clear is that in elderly people the differences are not as great as they are in younger people, and there are also differing risk factors for the blood clotting issues. There has been a general trend in Australia of over 50s to refuse the AZ because they want Pfizer, but the reality if both do an incredibly good job preventing you from serious symptoms or death if you catch Covid. The most recent case last night of an asymptomatic positive case in a Melbourne rest home is proof of this.

The risks to NZ right now of Covid are higher than they have ever been, and if we could have been vaccinating all of our elderly with AZ I really don't know why we haven't been doing this.

sbiddle

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#2720086 7-Jun-2021 09:44

Here's a good study (there are a number I've read in recent weeks) looking at results from the UK for elderly people.

https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1088

Technofreak

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#2720106 7-Jun-2021 11:03

sbiddle:

It's not really possible to make an across the board statement that Pfizer being better than AZ - and I would question the knowledge of anybody who makes a simple statement like that and says it is better. There are pros and cons to both vaccines, and plenty of real world data from the past few months that look at this very issue. It's the very same reasons why we are approving the J&J/Janssen vaccine, because there are some people who are unable to receive the Pfizer due to risk factors.

What is clear is that in elderly people the differences are not as great as they are in younger people, and there are also differing risk factors for the blood clotting issues. There has been a general trend in Australia of over 50s to refuse the AZ because they want Pfizer, but the reality if both do an incredibly good job preventing you from serious symptoms or death if you catch Covid. The most recent case last night of an asymptomatic positive case in a Melbourne rest home is proof of this.

The risks to NZ right now of Covid are higher than they have ever been, and if we could have been vaccinating all of our elderly with AZ I really don't know why we haven't been doing this.

It wasn't just a simple statement that they made. Their opinion, based on their experience, was primarily based on the type of vaccine and it's development/origins and the historical outcomes with each type of vaccine. They were not objecting to having the AZ vaccine in fact I'm pretty sure they've had it.

I agree there is no one best option. For some countries because of their situation with respect to Covid one vaccine may be better than another. As you say the approved vaccines do a very good job. The relative benefits of each pale into insignificance in comparison to catching or not catching Covid and the effects Covid can have and an individual.

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MadEngineer

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#2720108 7-Jun-2021 11:05

If someone receiving the jab as being part of the first or second group also happens to bring a support person (eg a driver or their partner etc) then there's a good chance that support person will be offered a jab as well, especially if it's at the end of the vial, despite that support person not currently being eligible.

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Scott3

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#2720117 7-Jun-2021 11:48

FYI, mt wellington vaccination center is vaccinating all groups. Had no queue when I left 30mins ago. Just got vaccinated as a group 4.

95 Leonard Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060

No idea how long this will last. May apply to other vaccination centers today. They are open, but I think the public holiday had caused low bookings.

sbiddle

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#2720118 7-Jun-2021 11:51

Scott3: FYI, mt wellington vaccination center is vaccinating all groups. Had no queue when I left 30mins ago. Just got vaccinated as a group 4.

95 Leonard Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060

No idea how long this will last. May apply to other vaccination centers today. They are open, but I think the public holiday had caused low bookings.

If only we had an online booking system for Covid vaccines.. People could see this and book in last minute..

It seems it's at least another 5-6 weeks from launching based on comments in the media last week.

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