Coronavirus outbreak

[Ajax Bay]

As we have discussed ad nauseam before, New Zealand is a remote, low population density set of islands and the short time since european colonisation (towns/cities) /and recent tight immigration policy has prevented cramped urban areas. Noone needs to go there (I recommend they do though: it's amazing ime - and that's for only about 3 two day journeys between work commitments). They can without detriment close their borders and have done so. The population is markedly fit and healthy (compared to world and UK norms).
Well done to them - their government was not required to make difficult decisions.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Night club = inside, poor ventilation
Fanzones and stadia = outside and ventilated
Far, far less risk.

Mass open air events.

*Definitely* safe.


View: https://mobile.twitter.com/chrischirp/status/1414987783664504833

 

[Mo1959]

The daughter of a friend of Mrs B's was admitted to hospital yesterday. Late 40s, twice jabbed, but now in ICU with C19+.
Obvs one of the unlucky (currently) 2%

They never seem to mention the age groups and vaccination status of the latest deaths do they?

 

[classic33]

Cases are dropping in Wales, Northern Ireland and, markedly, Scotland.

Ireland, which shares a land border with the UK, is seeing a rise in the last week.

 

[Ajax Bay]

1 in 20 at an open air (Dutch music) festival with lots of 'inter-personal interaction'. Seems low given prevalence in that cohort.
Increasing dominance of Delta variant will be a significant driver in the Republic of Ireland.

 

[cambsno]

Our weather is not that much worse than northern France and the Belgian coast, or Germany's Baltic coast, all of which are more outdoorsy than here. Even Ireland seems to be giving it a go.

And how many places have neither outdoor space nor a street that could lose some car parking spaces or be home-zoned? This should be part of building back better, but political will seems lacking.

In a previous job I used to call on hundreds of pubs a month - those in cities like a lot of London or even smaller towns like Cambridge do not always have the option with space, and may be on narrowish pavements. I can think of a few of my favourite pubs in Cambridge which has a small or no outdoor space.

 

[classic33]

1 in 20 at an open air (Dutch music) festival with lots of 'inter-personal interaction'. Seems low given prevalence in that cohort.
Increasing dominance of Delta variant will be a significant driver in the Republic of Ireland.

Are we on this island immune to the Delta variant?
Harder to get into Ireland than into this country, and they're yet to open up to the same level we have here. Isolation at a nominated, by yourself, address. Given on the passenger location form. Assuming you provided the negative test result, maximum 72 hours before entry.

And they're not looking at lifting all restrictions like we are.

 

[mjr]

Night club = inside, poor ventilation
Fanzones and stadia = outside and ventilated
Far, far less risk.

Oh, have they changed the stadia so you no longer have to walk through the enclosed concessions areas underneath to get from entrance to seating?

 

[mjr]

. I can think of a few of my favourite pubs in Cambridge which has a small or no outdoor space.

And those pubs should be given outdoor space. Very few are impossible, if there was the will.

 

[Unkraut]

As we have discussed ad nauseam before, New Zealand is a remote, low population density set of islands and the short time since european colonisation (towns/cities) /and recent tight immigration policy has prevented cramped urban areas. ...
Well done to them - their government was not required to make difficult decisions.

My sister-in-law and husband emigrated to NZ about 16 years ago. My wife visited her at the very beginning of the pandemic when we thought it would not be a risk to go there. My wife only just managed to get out on the last plane out arranged by the German government, having been driven for 5 hours to get to the airport before midnight after which the country went into a rigid lockdown.

They got on top of the spread only to have it re-imported by people from Britain!

Whilst I agree with you you cannot necessarily compare a relatively small country with larger European ones, I don't think the NZ govt was spared having to make difficult decisions. A the very least they didn't dither.

 

[Pale Rider]

I'm curious as to why Sunderland continues to have what must be among the highest infection rates in the country.

Currently on 950 per 1,000 population compared to a national average of 277.

Makes no sense to me - I doubt the population mix, density, and the way people interact is very different to other towns and cities.

The under 60's cases are rising much faster and are much higher than the over 60s.

Vaccine take up looks broadly in line with elsewhere.

Surprisingly, I haven't had Covid yet and I am double jabbed, but it appears to be only a matter of time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274

 

[matticus]

Whilst I agree with you you cannot necessarily compare a relatively small country with larger European ones, I don't think the NZ govt ...

Correct, it is ridiculous to compare NZ with anywhere in Europe. Just look at a blimmin map! Look at their popn density, their travel patterns.

We've been over this a dozen times, it's like Wackamole :P

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I'm curious as to why Sunderland continues to have what must be among the highest infection rates in the country.

Currently on 950 per 1,000 population compared to a national average of 277.

Makes no sense to me - I doubt the population mix, density, and the way people interact is very different to other towns and cities.

The under 60's cases are rising much faster and are much higher than the over 60s.

Vaccine take up looks broadly in line with elsewhere.

Surprisingly, I haven't had Covid yet and I am double jabbed, but it appears to be only a matter of time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274

I suspect that it’s just a matter of a few weeks before all similar communities in England reach the same levels as those around Sunderland. As you say, there is nothing particularly unique about those currently with the highest levels.

 

[RoadRider400]

Have you not noticed how NZ's infection rate is tiny because they have a functioning government. They had no need to put it all on black and hope.

Nothing to do with having a population ten times smaller than the UK then?

 

[mjr]

Nothing to do with having a population ten times smaller than the UK then?

Probably not, unless you have identified a link between total population and infection rate.

The other objections to comparison, such as location, are stronger.

It is interesting that both NZ and Australia are being criticised by their population for slow vaccination... but this criticism of the UK plan also appeared in NZ press this week: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/uks-awful-experiment-will-threaten-nz

EDIT: and Sydney is struggling to bring a delta outbreak under control with only a UK-style lockdown: https://www.thejournal.ie/sydney-lockdown-extended-two-weeks-5494870-Jul2021/