New Zealand’s epidemiologists say the Government’s “vigorous and rapid response” to the latest community outbreak is the “winning formula”.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tonight announced a rise in alert levels to Auckland, up to…
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'Gut wrenching': Auckland to shut up shop for three days
A third lockdown in Auckland will be absolutely gut wrenching and stressful for a lot of businesses, says Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck.Beck, whose organisation represents the central city especially hard hit by two…
Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland in level 3 lockdown; rest of country at level 2
VIRUS LATEST* Revealed: The 21 locations of interest visited by three new community cases * No need to rush Aucklanders queue at supermarkets despite not needing to * ‘It’s a difficult situation’: Prada Cup racing postponed…
Covid 19 coronavirus: Everyone at Papatoetoe High School last week told to get tested
Anyone who attended Papatoetoe High School last week – be it staff, students or visitors – is being asked to get a Covid-19 test after a Year 9 student has been confirmed as one of three new cases. The other two cases are the student’s…
Covid 19 coronavirus: New Plymouth locals on edge after confirmed Covid-19 cases visit the region
Locals around Taranaki are on edge after it was revealed two confirmed Covid-19 community cases visited New Plymouth over Waitangi weekend, and some are unhappy that the region has remained at alert level 2. The Ministry of Health…
Bad weather forces Air New Zealand flight to Whangārei to return to Auckland
An Air New Zealand flight to Whangārei was forced to turn back to Auckland due to poor weather this afternoon.A spokesman for the airline said low cloud and poor visibility meant the aircraft was unable to land.The flight…
Covid 19 coronavirus: Vaccine not a 'magic bullet', NZ expert warns
By RNZ The arrival of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in New Zealand next week will not signal the end of the pandemic, says vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris.The country’s 12,000 border workers will receive their first…
Car charges at pair in Melbourne carpark
Two pedestrians have been forced to run for their lives when a car sped towards them in a Melbourne car park.
Dashcam footage shows a black Mazda charging towards a man and a woman in Campbellfield before smashing into their parked car.
The man appears to have tried to open the passenger side door before the driver of the car hurtled towards the pair.
READ MORE: Two more local COVID-19 cases in Victoria as list of Melbourne exposure sites grows
The stationary car was struck with such force it mounted a concrete divider separating parking spots.
Both cars appear to have been badly damaged.
READ MORE: Victoria's 'circuit breaker' lockdown explained: What you can and can't do
A Victoria Police spokesperson said investigators were able to locate the male driver a short time after the incident.
"Police were called to a crash in a car park off Jeffery Street, Campbellfield about 9.15pm on Thursday 11 February," a statement read.
"They spoke to a number of people at the scene who said one car had crashed into another and driven off.
"Police searched the area and found the driver and car involved nearby. They spoke to a 44-year-old man from Coburg.
"He is expected to be charged with numerous traffic offences."
Covid 19 coronavirus: Three new locations of interest for Auckland community cases revealed
The Ministry of Health’s locations of interest list for the three new Auckland Covid-19 community cases has grown by three. The new locations are BP Papakura, GAS Piopio and BP Breakwater Road in New Plymouth.The new active community…
First Pfizer vaccine doses days away from arriving in Australia
The first shipment of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is set to reach Australia this week.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the rollout was on track with about 80,000 doses to arrive in just days.
"The vaccines are scheduled to land in Australia before the end of the week, if not earlier," he said.
READ MORE: Child and woman latest local COVID-19 cases in Victoria, both linked to Coburg venue
Mr Hunt said security around the "most precious cargo" will be tight and the Therapeutic Goods Administration would be conducting safety checks.
"They will look to see that all of the vials are intact and haven't had seals broken, and they will also do much testing as part of that," he said.
"Some of that has been done in Europe. Additional tests will be done here in Australia. Our number one priority is safety, safety, safety."
Mr Hunt said Australians wanted to know the vaccine was safe above anything else.
"We know from all of the research that what Australians want to know is that safety has been prioritised above all else," he said.
"And if they know that what we believe to be the best medical regulator in the world has overseen a safe process working to a plan that is thorough and doesn't cut corners, then confidence increases.
"And if confidence increases there's an increase in uptake."
READ MORE: Victoria's CHO says there's no cause for concern over Greek tennis player's case
The health minister said the first jabs would be done by the end of the month and the rollout would be overseen by both state and federal governments.
Mr Hunt said border and quarantine workers, frontline health workers, aged care residents and staff, and disability residents and staff would be first to receive the jab.
Those in the first phase of the vaccine rollout will be vaccinated within six weeks of it kicking off.