The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

New Zealand’s new cut-down COVID response is a missed opportunity – here are 5 ways to improve it

  • Written by Michael Baker, Professor of Public Health, University of Otago
New Zealand’s new cut-down COVID response is a missed opportunity – here are 5 ways to improve it

New Zealand’s decision to end most COVID health measures is welcome, as it removes controls that are in most cases no longer essential. But the new COVID management phase[1] looks like a short-term reaction to declining case numbers rather than a longer-term strategy.

New Zealand has achieved one of the best health outcomes of any country[2] by taking decisive action from the start of the pandemic.

We argue now is the time to build on that success with a strong, science-informed strategy to get us through the next pandemic stages and lift our resilience against future emerging infectious disease threats.

Such a strategy would need to provide a robust plan for managing the two most likely pandemic scenarios – new variants and endemic disease.

The most probable scenario is that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, will continue to evolve new variants that evade immunity from prior infection or vaccination, triggering new waves. Any new variant could be more or less severe[3] than Omicron.

The government has previously identified the need for a strategy to manage this scenario[4], which would require rapid risk assessment of new threats and increased controls if needed.

Read more: With most mandatory public health measures gone, is New Zealand well prepared for the next COVID wave?[5]

COVID is also likely to eventually become a more stable and predictable endemic disease, perhaps somewhat like seasonal influenza but with more severe consequences[6] that are still emerging.

Endemic does not necessarily mean mild[7]. The world’s biggest infectious disease killers, including tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria, are all endemic. A long-term strategy should aim to minimise health burdens (serious illness, death and long-term disability[8]) and health inequities.

Unfortunately, New Zealand’s new approach does not provide a robust response to either of these scenarios.

New Zealand already has well-established tools for assessing and communicating the risk associated with many other hazards such as fires and storms. Why not do the same for COVID and potentially other serious respiratory infections?

Sign for fire danger
Why not treat pandemic risk like we do fire danger updates? Getty Images

We propose five changes to fill gaps in the new COVID management approach while at the same time minimising disruptions.

1. Develop an updated alert level system for COVID variants

The government could use this relatively low point in the number of COVID cases to develop a robust framework to provide a simple way for describing the level of risk[9] and a proportionate response at each level.

Before COVID, New Zealand’s pandemic plan[10] was based on mitigation. This meant accepting pandemics would wash over the country and the best we could do was to minimise healthcare system overload. Now we know we can potentially stop any respiratory disease pandemic[11].

Two masked women hugging at the airport
New Zealand has scrapped vaccination requirements and mandated testing for international arrivals. Getty Images

2. Reinforce the critical importance of borders for biosecurity

We need an evidence-informed strategy for our borders to manage potentially more dangerous variants and other future pandemics.

The government has now removed vaccination requirements and mandated testing for visitors. As case numbers fall, arriving travellers will likely become an increasingly important source of new infections.

The end of routine testing on arrival limits our ability to collect viral samples for whole genome sequencing[12] and leaves a gap in our surveillance system. Long-term benefits of improved border control would include a reduced risk of importing other outbreak-prone diseases such as measles[13] or more serious, bioengineered pandemics[14].

3. Reinforce self-isolation as a key infection control tool

Fortunately, the government has retained mandatory isolation for people who test positive for COVID. It is fundamental to disease control that sick people stay home. Keeping isolation to a minimum of seven days is also wise, as even then about a quarter of people are still infectious[15].

Nevertheless, adding a test-to-release[16] requirement would improve the effectiveness of this strategy and reduce the isolation period to five days for some.

Making these measures work well requires a great deal more public education and support, particularly around health, social and work support. This could be a major legacy benefit of this pandemic, particularly if it also helps to reduce the spread of other respiratory diseases such as influenza[17].

Read more: Cutting COVID isolation and mask mandates will mean more damage to business and health in the long run[18]

4. Establish requirements for masks and ventilation

Masks still have to be worn in healthcare and aged-care settings. Masks work best in such high-risk environments when everyone is using them[19]. But we need systematic criteria to identify other confined, crowded and close-contact environments with a high risk of infection.

On that basis, public transport would be an important environment for universal mask use and ventilation improvements[20], particularly during winter[21]. An evidence-based mask and ventilation policy would be another major legacy benefit of the current pandemic.

Masked people on a bus
Ongoing mask use and better ventilation should be considered for public transport. Getty Images

5. Establish vaccination as the norm for healthcare and essential services

The government has now removed all vaccine mandates. However, there are several reasons why healthcare[22] and other essential workers should be vaccinated against COVID and other serious infectious diseases. It should be a basic occupational health and safety necessity, just like some groups are required to wear personal protective equipment.

One legacy benefit of the pandemic should be a wider discussion about how to appropriately establish vaccination as a requirement for key occupational groups.

The inconvenient truth is that the pandemic has not gone away and future pandemics remain a risk. Even if COVID becomes a more predictable endemic disease, we still need to minimise serious illness, particularly for the most vulnerable.

References

  1. ^ COVID management phase (covid19.govt.nz)
  2. ^ best health outcomes of any country (blogs.otago.ac.nz)
  3. ^ could be more or less severe (www.nature.com)
  4. ^ strategy to manage this scenario (www.health.govt.nz)
  5. ^ With most mandatory public health measures gone, is New Zealand well prepared for the next COVID wave? (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ more severe consequences (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ mild (www.nature.com)
  8. ^ long-term disability (blogs.otago.ac.nz)
  9. ^ describing the level of risk (www.thelancet.com)
  10. ^ pandemic plan (www.health.govt.nz)
  11. ^ stop any respiratory disease pandemic (www.bmj.com)
  12. ^ whole genome sequencing (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ measles (www.cambridge.org)
  14. ^ more serious, bioengineered pandemics (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  15. ^ quarter of people are still infectious (www.thelancet.com)
  16. ^ test-to-release (cpb-ap-se2.wpmucdn.com)
  17. ^ influenza (www.cdc.gov)
  18. ^ Cutting COVID isolation and mask mandates will mean more damage to business and health in the long run (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ everyone is using them (www.pnas.org)
  20. ^ ventilation improvements (blogs.otago.ac.nz)
  21. ^ during winter (doi.org)
  22. ^ healthcare (www.cdc.gov)

Read more https://theconversation.com/new-zealands-new-cut-down-covid-response-is-a-missed-opportunity-here-are-5-ways-to-improve-it-190737

The Times Features

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Speech Therapy For Children

Speech therapy has long been a standard for supporting children’s communication and emotional development. But what happens when you introduce a furry friend into the process? Th...

The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Drains and the Ultimate Solution for a Hassle-Free Home

Drain blockages are a big hassle to every homeowner and business owner alike. Whether it is a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged toilet, or a foul smell circulating aroun...

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Times Magazine

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

LayBy Shopping