Last week, I noted that Covid-19 notifications in Tairāwhiti may be increasing, as there was a rise at the end of the week. This week, we have had 42 cases reported for the week to 2 November compared with 26, 21, 17, 26 and 14 for the previous five weeks. So, I update my old chart to puts the rise in context:
No Covid hospitalisations this week, so still only three for the month of October, compared to four in September and ten in August.
Local wastewaster data was not updated since 22 October, but nationally shows a rise in levels but not cases for week ending 29 October:
Other notifications
We had one case each of Campylobacter (see 25 August), Lead Absorption (see below), and Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (see 21 July). We were also notified a Leptospirosis case that needs another test for confirmation. The case has a positive IgM test, but as I wrote this is a screening test for a special test (MAT) that is usually done on two samples separated by at least two weeks. Diagnosis can also be confirmed with blood or urine PCR, but these tests can miss cases.
Last week, we had a case of latent TB infection (LTBI) that was notified, but latent infection is not notifiable. This week we have a possible TB notification. Following a positive blood test for LTBI the case developed symptoms: cough with blood. Most likely, this is a case of LTBI with another infection - but we have to treat as suspect cases until additional sputum tests and a chest X-ray to make sure there is no disease.
Lead absorption
Lead is toxic, especially for child development, with no ‘safe level’. Since removal of lead from petrol in 1996, the most common source of exposure in New Zealand is from lead-based paint used in pre-1980s houses (particularly those built before 1945). But most of our notifications are from those who work with lead; or those exposed to older paint.
The blood level to trigger notification was halved from 0.48 to 0.24 µmol/l from 9 April 2021; having been reduced from 0.72 µmol in 2007. (See BPAC for advice on management and notification).
The lower levels to trigger notification have resulted in more notifications after 2007 and 2021:
The under-representation on Māori in notifications likely reflects less testing, as they are more likely to be exposed to lead. The five cases notified in 2023 were all in working age adults.
Next week
As always, look forward to your feedback and suggestions; and any questions on the data. Thank-you!