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Friday 20 March 2020
Keeping coronavirus out
Staying safe: The main entrance at Golden Bay Community Health has new instructions for visitors. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
From global to local. Now the coronavirus COVID-19 has arrived in New Zealand, the task of controlling its spread, and treating those infected, falls to our leaders, our community and our local health service providers. When the World Health Organisation declared pandemic on 11 March,directorgeneral Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent out a sobering message to the world: “We cannot say this loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough: all countries can still change the course of this pandemic. If countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace, and mobilize their people in the response, those with a handful of cases can prevent those cases becoming clusters, and those clusters becoming community transmission.” For Golden Bay, the key player in the fight against the virus is Nelson Marlborough Health, but while preparations are under way to cope with a possible outbreak, chief medical officer Dr Nick Baker says everyone has a responsibility to prevent the disease getting a foothold. “We need to stop it spreading and stamp it out.”
He says that most people are aware of the necessary personal hygiene measures, but stresses the need for added stringency. “All the basics, we should do better.” Those basics include frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying at home if unwell, but Dr Baker says it also involves a change of culture in how we physically interact in everyday social situations. “We have to be a low-touch society.” In a community that is well known for its friendly greetings, substituting a close hug with an elbow touch, a foot tap or a simple nod will present a challenge. But it’s a vital weapon in the fight against the virus, says Dr Baker. “Be careful, be cautious. When shopping, for example, keep a metre away from people in the check-out queue.” All these measures, he explains, are designed to disrupt the transmission of the virus which is the key to preventing a major outbreak. “We are learning that breaking the domino effect is critical.” COVID-19 landed in the country via Auckland airport, and this remains one of the most significant entry points. The
Government’s recent travel restrictions, including imposing 14 days’ self-isolation for all incoming travellers including returning Kiwis, is something Dr Baker believes could affect a significant number in the Bay. “Golden Bay has a lot of people of European descent and there’s a lot of traffic.” In the case of widespread infection, there is particular concern for vulnerable groups. “Those with a weakened immune system won’t fight it as well and it’s a risk for those with chronic lung disease and asthma,” says Dr Baker who has a tip for one particular group. “Now is a good time to stop smoking.” Although stopping the spread of the disease is a top priority, Nelson Marlborough Health is planning for all scenarios explains Dr Baker. “We have ramped up preparation in hospitals. We’ll separate infectious and other patients by streaming them at the door.” In severe cases patients may require specialist hospital treatment, but resources are limited, says Dr Baker. “Intensive care beds can be increased a bit, but not infinite.” This explains the importance of slowing the spread Continued on page 3
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THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020
An official report has recommended that an application for a Water Conservation Order to protect Te Waikoropupū Springs and associated water bodies be granted. The application, made by Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust and Andrew Yuill to the Environmental Protection Authority, was heard by a Special Tribunal in 2018. On Tuesday, following 15 months of deliberations, the tribunal issued its report including recommendations for the Minister for the Environment. The Notice of Recommendation, signed by the chair of the Special Tribunal Camilla Owen, and published on the EPA’s website, states: “The Special Tribunal recommends that the application for a Water Conservation Order be granted over the Confined and Unconfined Arthur Marble Aquifer and over Te Waikoropupū Springs (which include the Main Spring, Dancing Sands Spring and Fish Creek Springs), which were all found to have outstanding amenity or intrinsic values as waters in their natural state.” In a joint press release the applicants indicated they would study the report and consult before drawing any conclusions. “It is important that we take the time to sit down, talk to the lawyers, our co-applicant Andrew and that we are able to come to a consensus and a path forward,’ said Ngāti Tama Trustee Margie Little. Andrew Yuill expressed his delight that a key milestone had been achieved. “The release of Tribunal’s report is a major and very welcome step in a long journey. We first applied for the WCO in 2013, and many people had already contributed a lot of careful work by then.” In his response, Kaumātua John WardHolmes underlined the importance of protecting Te Waikoropupū Springs. “This wai has intrinsic values to whānau of Ngāti Tama who have held ahikāroa and kaitiaki of Mohua and the Springs. Kaitiakitanga is all our responsibility and we must all try our best to protect and preserve Te Waikoropupū Springs and the aquifer”. Tasman District Council environment and planning manager Dennis Bush-King said via a media release that the council had been addressing Takaka Valley’s water quality for some time. “While waiting for the WCO recommendations from the Special Tribunal, the council has been continuing work on a Takaka freshwater plan change to the Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP), including reviewing the Takaka... Continued on page 4
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ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
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