New measures will do little to ease strain, doctors say
The government has announced plans to try to reduce a predicted peak of 1200 Covid-19 patients in hospital a day to 900.
But some doctors said the moves did not go far enough and, even at 900 a day they would still be under huge stress.
Under the newly announced plans, people would have access to free masks from Rapid Antigen Test collection centres, free RATs would be available much more widely and there would be wider access to antiviral drugs.
A campaign to encourage people to wear masks and to stay home when sick was about to begin, but people would not be required to wear masks in more places.
New Zealand Association of General Surgeons president Rowan French said if cases hit 1200, everyone who needed urgent care may not be able to get it, leaving doctors with difficult ethical decisions.
But even at the lower peak of 900, it would be very difficult, he said.
Link to recorded interview and article: Covid-19 hospitalisations: New measures will do little to ease strain, doctors say | RNZ News
