As the yearend approaches, I’d like to pay tribute to the extraordinary team at Counties Manukau Health. Since this COVID-19 Delta outbreak began in August, our DHB has had the most cases in New Zealand and Middlemore has had over 500 admissions of COVID-19 patients. During this time there has been not a single case of COVID-19 transmission from a positive case within the DHB, a truly phenomenal achievement and testament to the professionalism of all who work here and their provision of an extraordinary level of care.
Counties Manukau has also achieved 90% double vaccination of our total population this week and while there is still more to achieve it is fantastic to reach this milestone. We are now administering booster shots and preparing for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccination to our tamariki.
The COVID virus seeks and finds the unvaccinated, and our children, who haven’t been eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination this year now represent 25% of cases in the Auckland region.
When we kick off our COVID-19 vaccination roll out to children in 2022 it will provide a great opportunity for parents and care givers to check that their children are up to date with routine vaccinations and immunisations. We welcome the opportunity to offer our tamariki protection against COVID-19 and other preventable illnesses.
Our hospital remains very busy and while we encourage everyone to celebrate the festive season and enjoy reuniting with whaanau and friends, we do urge everyone to please play safely. At this time of year our Emergency Departments sees too many people with serious injuries that could have been prevented. You can read more about how to stay safe, and away from hospital this holiday season here.
In closing for the year, I’d like to thank our people for their dedication, professionalism and hard work under extreme circumstances. 2021 certainly goes down as a pandemic-filled full on busy year. Uncertainty surrounds us as a new year approaches, and I remain humbled by how our people and the community we serve have risen to the challenges of 2021. I am certain that together we will overcome the challenges of 2022.
Manaaki to hauora. Keep safe and well
Dr Pete Watson, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer
Counties Manukau Health