More infectious variants lead to reported overcrowding in healthcare settings
New Zealand has been seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases as well as other illnesses, which is putting pressure on the public health system, as reported in an article by World Socialist Web Site.
The article noted that 279 people were hospitalized as of last Sunday because of COVID-19. This was twice the number recorded between the months of March and April. Consequently, there were 37 deaths related to COVID-19 which were confirmed last week, bringing the country’s COVID death toll to 4,120.
According to New Zealand Minister of Health Shane Reti, there were about 245 deaths from the previous week which were not confirmed to be caused by COVID-19. Although, there were 1,907 deaths that occurred 28 days after testing positive for the virus, reported World Socialist Web Site.
About two-thirds of the 4,788 cases that were reported in the previous week were people who have already contracted the virus before.
More infectious variants of COVID-19
The rising number of COVID-19 cases was attributed to new variants that are reportedly more infectious. The article further mentioned that Dunedin healthcare workers have reported that the overcrowding in the city’s emergency department was forcing patients to wait in ambulances.
While public health experts were advising the continued wearing of masks, the government has ceased its efforts in delivering such reminders, said the World Socialist Web Site. People who test positive for the virus were no longer required to self-isolate and rapid antigen tests will no longer be free by the end of June.
Free general practice consultations for those eligible for the antiviral medication for the virus were also no longer available, it said.
