Jo Moir
Wellington, April 28, 2020
Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield has had to walk back comments made by him and the Prime Minister yesterday about the country having achieved elimination of Covid-19
New Zealand has been hailed in international media including The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph as having won the battle in eliminating Covid-19.
While elimination has been achieved at alert level four – giving Dr Bloomfield the confidence to move the country into level three – the war has not been won.
At yesterday’s daily press conference, Dr Bloomfield was asked whether New Zealand had achieved elimination.
It was his answer that “We have achieved [elimination] through alert level 4” – and the Prime Minister chipping in that New Zealand “currently” had eliminated the virus – that resulted in the confusion.
Realising the waters had been muddied, Dr Bloomfield arrived at Parliament today armed with a clarification.
No elimination yet
Asked whether he accepted yesterday’s remarks had given the country and the rest of the world a false impression, and whether he was concerned New Zealanders would be breathing a sigh of relief at a time they should still be vigilant, Dr Bloomfield did not mince his words.
“I can just clarify we have not eliminated it, and we have not eradicated it.’’
He said elimination is about having a low number of cases, and a knowledge of where they are coming from and identifying people early.
Then it is a case of stamping out the virus and continuing to maintain strict border restrictions to be sure no new cases are being imported.
Elimination is by no means eradication and the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this is a situation of entering into the world of epidemiologist-speak.
Awaiting vaccine
“And they know well what each of these terms mean in a health sense, but of course in an everyday sense they mean, often, something different.
“Elimination does not mean zero cases… we will have to keep stamping Covid out until there is a vaccine,’’ she said.
National’s Health Spokesperson Michael Woodhouse said Dr Bloomfield probably felt the need to clarify on behalf of the Prime Minister.
“This underscores the importance of talking in plain English. The public are not epidemiologists, they do not have the same information that the Prime Minister has and it is really important they get on the same page, talk in English, and make it clear to New Zealanders where we are at and how we have got to stay there.’’
Dr Bloomfield finished today’s media conference doing his best to unmuddy the waters.
“Well I hope my explanation today has helped to clarify – if there was mud yesterday, the water is clearer today – and I hope you all have a good understanding of that and New Zealanders do.’’
Like many people today, Dr Bloomfield said he too enjoyed a take-away coffee but he warned how important it is not to undo the good work that has already been done.
And that means not congregating with friends outside cafes or restaurants.
Jo Moir is a Political Reporter at Radio New Zealand. The above Report and picture have been published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
