Covid-19 cases in Tairāwhiti continue to drop with 49 cases for the week ending 31 August, compared to 72 cases the previous week. The 7-day average dropped to 7 cases daily from 10 last week.
The daily case count for Friday to Thursday: 7, 5, 5, 13, 11, 5, 3 . Notifications were were based on RAT (self-reported) except for two by PCR test.
There were no Covid hospitalisations this week; compared to two last week.
Wastewater data for week ending 27 August shows a greater peak for wastewater than for cases in the recent peak. While showing the same pattern as the case data, the wastewater suggests more under-reporting recently.
National acute respiratory illness surveillance for the week ending 27 August continues to show relatively low levels for the time of year; but more hospitalisations with influenza the leading virus. Symptom surveillance in FluTracking shows the August increase has peaked:
Other notifications
Only two enteric infections this week, one each of Campylobacter and Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Escherichia coli are normally part of our microbiome, but some can cause disease, and STEC can cause a life-threatening complication, especially in young children, because of the Shiga toxin. The risk is increased with antibiotics, and these infections are not usually given antibiotics.
Earlier this year, I prepared a report on enteric infections, that provides more details about STEC as it has been on the rise since 2021, when a more sensitive test (PCR) was used locally.
Next week
As always, look forward to your feedback and suggestions; and any questions on the data. Thank-you!