Stories by Rowan Quinn
News
Auckland man with Covid-19 spent six days isolating in his car
The man's story is not uncommon, a support worker says, with some people in multi-generational homes isolating in vans or garages. Audio
Fears Covid-19 cases will surpass 1000 a day by Christmas if restrictions eased
The government is being urged to put the brakes on letting Aucklanders hit the shops this week, with one expert saying the outbreak could "explode and spin out of control".
Hundreds of Covid-19 cases waiting to hear on isolation
Just 294 people with Covid-19 in the current outbreak are in MIQ facilities, says the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.
Modelling shows Covid-19 hospitalisations may double in Auckland
Auckland's hospitals are now expecting to care for 120 Covid-19 patients a day at the peak of the current outbreak - more than double the current number.
Eased restrictions may be 'impending doom' for Māori - leader
A Māori health leader says loosening restrictions in the city will create the perfect storm, and put more Māori in harm's way.
Auckland hospitals getting Covid-19 ready at slow pace
None of Auckland's hospital emergency departments have finished their Covid-19 preparations more than nine weeks into the outbreak and with patient numbers set to surge.
Anti-vaxxers making fake vaccination bookings
Suspected anti-vaxxers have been making bogus Covid-19 vaccination bookings in one of the least protected areas of Aotearoa.
Covid-19 'tsunami coming': Emergency nurse says lack of planning causing anxiety
An Auckland emergency nurse says overworked nurses fear hospitals aren't ready for the Covid-19 tsunami - and often think about quitting.
Frustration as EDs unable to administer Covid-19 vaccine
Most hospital emergency departments are not offering patients Covid-19 vaccinations even though it's a perfect opportunity to reach people normally outside the health system.
Fully vaccinated Aucklanders should be rewarded, some experts say
Auckland is not vaxxed enough to relax restrictions but the fully vaccinated should be rewarded with small freedoms, say some experts.
Middlemore Hospital readies for surge in Covid cases
Middlemore Hospital is planning to set up a tent to triage Covid patients as early as next week, as Auckland braces for a surge in cases. Audio
Vaccinations by suburb: Northland underdogs put in hearty effort and boost numbers
Two Northland communities who were at the bottom of the Covid-19 vaccination stats have had a massive surge in just a week.
'We just can't afford to lose any more midwives'
Midwives worry pregnant women could be left in lurch if maternity carers can't work because of the vaccination mandate.
Covid-19 case numbers could soon surpass 100 a day - expert
Auckland's daily Covid-19 case numbers could reach triple figures by the end of the month, data modelling expert Shaun Hendy says.
Vaccination campaigns must include Māori and Pacific leaders - immunologist
The calls for New Zealanders to get vaccinated are becoming more urgent by the day as Covid-19 embeds itself in the community.
'It feels like this has been looming over us'- health workers on easing restrictions
Some frontline doctors and nurses worry the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Auckland will fuel more cases in the community.
Reported Covid-19 cases likely just the tip of the iceberg, experts say
There are fears mystery Covid cases in Auckland and the Waikato could be the tip of an iceberg of undetected transmission. Audio
Auckland Hospital rapidly preparing for border reopening
Auckland Hospital is preparing to deal with an average of six Covid deaths a week next year, even with a 90 percent vaccination rate.
Families frightened of testing and separation: 'People have heard stories'
A Covid-19 testing team working with families in emergency housing says many are frightened about being tested and the possibility of being separated.
Door-to-door testing proposed to stamp out Auckland's Covid outbreak
There are calls for a major new targeted approach to stamp Delta out, including door-to-door testing in communities where the virus could be lurking.
Race on to get Auckland 90 percent vaccinated by 4 October
The city is already at 80 percent but those on the ground say the next 10 percent will be more challenging and will take some creative thinking.
Experts say Auckland moving to alert level 3 is a risk
Alert level 3 is being called a roll of the dice that could either eliminate Delta or send the country back into level 4.
Waitematā DHB senior medical staff pitch in to help vaccinate
An anaesthetist who is volunteering as a Covid-19 vaccinator in his level 4 downtime says he is loving being part of the drive to immunise Auckland.
Middlemore Hospital steps up Covid-19 testing for patients
Middlemore Hospital has begun testing new patients for Covid-19 after five patients have turned up unaware they had the virus until tested there. Audio
Auckland vaccine programme director hopes for record-breaking week
A record 220,000 Aucklanders could be vaccinated this week but it would take every available bit of space in the system.