St John urged to assess its call-taking process, elderly migrants tell of abuse by New Zealand children and Papua New Guinea considers foreign support.
“We’re up to about 35 people a day going to hospital with this infection,” he said.
Baker told RNZ’s First Up one in three people was still contagious five days after testing positive for the virus.
Despite the recommended isolation period now only five days, Baker suggested people still getting a positive Covid-19 test wait to test again on day six or seven before going back into society.
“The biology hasn’t changed,” he said, but there was more pressure for people to go back to work and school.
Baker said he would like to see money in this week’s Budget going towards the Covid-19 response.
It was important for health and productivity that the Government continued to fund booster shots, RAT tests and antiviral medication.
As soon as people had to pay for these, low-income households would miss out.
Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker.
Baker said it had to remain fair and equity had to be maintained.
Prioritising booster shots was also important, Baker said.
People over 30 were eligible for a booster every six months.
While it would not stop someone from becoming infected with Covid-19 and potentially passing it on, the vaccine activated parts of a person’s immune system that could help stop them becoming seriously ill.
Baker also encouraged mask wearing, especially N95s, which have a good seal around the mouth and nose.
A recent study he took part in proved face masks did help reduce the spread of respiratory infections.
