The Unfolding Pandemic - July

1 July 2020 – WHO holds a second research and innovation forum to discuss progress and knowledge gaps, and to define research priorities for the remainder of the year.

The total number of cases in Victoria is 2303 with 77 new cases. This is the sixteenth consecutive day of double-digit case growth in Victoria, with a continuing and concerning number of new cases associated with transmission in households and families. There are 63 active cases in New South Wales, that majority are returned internal travellers in hotel quarantine.

2 July 2020 — New Zealand’s Health Minister David Clark resigns after a series of blunders amid the country’s COVID-19 response.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appointed Chris Hipkins as interim Health Minister until the General Election scheduled for 19 September, in the wake of David Clark’s resignation from that role. Megan Woods took on the responsibility for Border Management (Covid response and Quarantine).

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a Judicial inquiry into Hotel Quarantine program. This follows some cases of coronavirus in Victoria being linked to a breach in hotel quarantine infection control. There were 66 new cases confirmed. A returned traveller to New South Wales tested positive after leaving hotel quarantine in Victoria.

3 July 2020 — Confirmed cases globally surpass 11 million only 5 days after the total reached 10 million. UNITAID and UNICEF agree to an initial purchase of dexamethasone to expand the drug’s access for low-and middle-income countries.

No new cases reported in New Zealand for the 12^th day in a row.

108 new cases in Victoria.

4 July 2020 – WHO discontinues the lopinavir/ritonavir treatment arm of the Solidarity Trial after a recommendation from the trial’s steering committee that found the treatment produced little or no difference to patient mortality when compared to standard of care.

A further two postcodes in Victoria are placed in lockdown until 29 July, and nine public housing towers  with 3,000 residents were added, with an additional condition that residents cannot leave the tower under any circumstances for 5 days – possibly longer, raising concerns about residents mental health. 74 new cases confirmed in Victoria.

5 July 2020 –

At the request of the New South Wales Government, the Federal Government introduced restrictions on the number of passengers arriving at Sydney Airport. A maximum of 50 passengers per flight, and 450 international arrivals per day was set. 127 new cases in Victoria.

6 July 2020 – The US submit their formal notification to withdraw from WHO. UN is reviewing whether they have met the conditions to do so. 239 scientists urge the agency, in an open letter, to recognise the potential for airborne spread of the virus.

127 new cases are reported in Victoria. The New South Wales and Victorian Governments announce their border would close on 8 July. 191 new Victorian cases.

7 July 2020 – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tests positive following months of downplaying the crisis, while cases and deaths from the virus continue to rise. Brazil has the world’s 2^nd largest confirmed caseload with 1.7 million cases. Globally there are 11.5 million cases, and 536,000 deaths.

There are 22 active cases in New Zealand. The Government asked Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines to manage international bookings to New Zealand over the next three weeks to ensure that quarantine facilities are not overwhelmed. Air New Zealand said 5,500 people were booked to travel in the next three weeks.

Premier Andrews announced that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire would re-enter lockdown for a minimum of 6 weeks starting at 12am 9 July. 134 new cases in Victoria.

8 July 2020 – Confirmed cases in Africa surpass 500,000, in the past month cases have doubled in 22 countries. WHO say Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa account for 71% of cases on the African continent.

165 new cases in Victoria.

9 July 2020 – Former New Zealand Prime Minster Helen Clark and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will co-chair the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response tasked with evaluating the global response to COVID-19. The panel is expected to deliver an interim report in November and the full report at the World Health Assembly in May 2021. In response to the open letter from scientists, WHO updates a scientific brief on transmission of COVID-19 saying more research is required on airborne transmission.

Lockdown begins for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. 288 new cases in Victoria.

10 July 2020 –

216 new cases in Victoria. The number of cases in New South Wales number 3,278 the majority of new cases are returning travellers in hotel quarantine. Two new case are linked to the Crossroads Hotel at Casula after they had been there on 3 July.

11 July 2020 – A study in the UK of 90 patients and healthcare workers finds that only 17% of patients retained a potent antibody response to COVID-19 three months later.

The New South Wales Government announced that compulsory hotel quarantine, previously free to international arrivals, would now be charged for from 18 July. Those already in quarantine would not be charged and neither would those who had purchased flights and had a confirmed international arrival date before 11.59pm 12 July 2020 AEST. Victoria reported 273 new cases.

12 July 2020 – WHO received reports of 230.000 new cases, almost 80% are from just 10 countries.

The number of active cases in New Zealand has risen to 25.

177 new cases in Victoria. New South Wales Government urges anyone who has visited the Crossroads Hotel at Casula to be tested after a business person from Victoria tested positive. The total number of cases linked to the hotel is 9.

13 July 2020 – The 2020 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report estimates that between 83 million and 132 million people could be pushed into hunger this year, many through job losses amid lockdown measures. Globally cases surpass 13 million.

270 new cases in Victoria.

14 July 2020 – American biotech Moderna publishes interim results from ongoing human clinical trials of its candidate vaccine for COVID-19 finding that it was safe and provoked an immune response in all 45 volunteers.

Because of an increase in new cases the New South Wales Government announced tightened preventative measures reintroducing new requirements for pubs. 238 new cases in Victoria.

15 July 2020 – 75 countries have expressed an interest in joining the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility – COVAX, which is a mechanism aimed at increasing equitable access to future COVID-19 vaccines.

Prime Minister Ardern released  the Government’s COVID-19 response framework, which would involve localised lock-downs in the event there was another community-wide outbreak of COVID-19.

317 new cases reported in Victoria, the total number of cases in the State have more than doubled in the last two weeks. The total is now 4750.

16 July 2020 – Research  from the Jubilee Debt Campaign finds that $11.3billion in International Monetary Fund loans to countries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is effectively enabling those countries to continue paying loans to private lenders rather than tackling their health and economic crises.

428 new cases in Victoria

17 July 2020 – Globally cases of COVID-19 reach 14 million. The UN releases the third updated appeal for the global COVID-19 humanitarian response plan, amounting to $10.3 billion – a more than fivefold increase to the initial $2 billion appeal in March. The issue of reinfection is an active area of research globally. It is known that people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus will develop an immune response providing some protection against reinfection, but is not clear how long the protection lasts or whether a person can be reinfected after the immunity wears off.

In New South Wales the number of diners at tables in venues was reduced from 20 to 10 and a maximum number of 3000 are permitted at any venue. Another 217 new cases in Victoria,

18 July 2020 – Confirmed deaths globally surpass 600,000.

Federal Government announced that the scheduled sitting for the first wo weeks of August would  be cancelled after medical advice stated there would be significant risk of members returning to Canberra from all over  the country. The sitting will now start on 24 August. 363 new cases in Victoria. New South Wales saw an increase of 62 new cases.

19 July 2020 –

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that wearing masks or face coverings would be mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne from 11.59pm on 22 July. The State of Emergency was extended to 16 August. 275 new cases in Victoria.

20 July 2020 – WHO raises concerns over the spread of COVID-19 among Indigenous peoples of America saying there have been more than 700,000 cases reported in the region and over 2000 deaths. They stress the importance of contact tracing to suppress the transmission of the virus. A new study at Oxford University is showing a promising vaccine candidate. The UK announces it has secured 90 million doses of three promising vaccine candidates in advance.

The number of daily overseas arrivals at Sydney Airport was reduced from 450 to 350 daily. Federal Government announced that the Coronavirus Supplement and JobKeeper subsidy would be extended but in an altered form at a lower level beyond 24 September. 374 new Victorian cases.

21 July 2020 – The Pan American Health Organisation warns that 3 in 10 people in the Americas are at risk of developing severe COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions. The region recorded almost 900,000 new cases and close to 22,000 deaths in the past week. Brazil, Mexico and the United States account for the majority of cases.

Health Minister Chris Hipkins announce the Government would be investing $302 million into health services.

484 new cases in Victoria.

22 July 2020 – Globally cases surpass 15 million.

Visiting aged care/health care settings in Victoria is restricted to carers only and a limit of one hour per day. 403 new cases.

23 July 2020 – Low levels of testing in the Central African region is a serious concern. One of the main challenges is access to testing facilities, for example there are only one or two testing sites in the country of Chad. Globally the WHO reported 247,225 new cases and 7097 deaths in the last 24 hours.

There are 22 active cases in New Zealand, all in Managed Isolation facilities.

300 new cases.

24 July 2020 – 15 lawmakers and 11 parliamentary staff test positive for COVID-19 in Zambia.

357 new cases in Victoria

25 July 2020 –
No new cases in New Zealand.

There have been 459 new cases in Victoria in the past day and 10 more deaths. The total cases for the State now number 8181, almost doubling again in the last ten days. There are 560 cases linked to aged care facilities, 369 cases are linked to public housing towers. 228 patients are in hospital including 42 in intensive care. In New South Wales this week there have been 81 new cases, most have been locally acquired through community transmission after the initial cluster introduced by an interstate traveller.

26 July 2020 – Vietnam reimposes social distancing restrictions in the city of Danang after confirming locally transmitted COVID-19 cases over the weekend. Cases globally have reached 16 million.

Another 532 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours in Victoria and 6 deaths.

27 July 2020 – Nearly 15 million children were vaccinated against measles in a 10 day vaccination campaign in Ethiopia according to WHO, it was originally scheduled for April but delayed because of the challenges of conducting a vaccination campaign during the pandemic.

There were 384 new cases overnight and 6 deaths in Victoria.

28 July 2020 –

There were 295 new cases and 9 deaths in Victoria. 3 new cases are reported in Queensland after 2 residents returned from Victoria and gave false border declarations about their movements.

29 July 2020 –

Housing Minister Megan Woods announced that some travellers entering New Zealand would have to pay for their 14 day stay in managed isolation. The isolation stay will cost $3100 for the first adult in each hotel room, $950 for each additional adult and $475 for each child sharing the room. Travellers affected by the ruling include New Zealanders who have left the country after the rules came in to effect , those who intend to stay for less than 90 days, and most temporary visa holders with the exception of family members of citizens who were not liable, diplomats, or those in the country for the Christchurch Mosque trial. New Zealanders returning home permanently will be exempt.

A staggering 723 cases were recorded overnight bringing the state total to 9,998. The State Government announced that from midnight 2 August it would be mandatory to wear a face mask outside of homes across the state. Queensland records 3 new cases, two had returned from New South Wales but had not been in a declared hot-spot, the 3^rd had returned from overseas. There are now 11 active cases in Queensland including 5 in hospital. Aged care facilities in South Brisbane are not permitted to accept visitors due to the increased risk of COVID-19.

30 July 2020 – Six months after the WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern confirmed cases surpass 17 million globally. In the past 25 days cases on the African continent have almost doubled. The number of cases in the US have now surpassed 4,495,000.

Victoria recorded 627 new cases overnight and a further eight deaths. Queensland records a further 3 cases.

31 July 2020 – COVID-19 Emergency Committee meets again to discuss and review thegloabal pandemic response via videoconference.

There are now 10,931 cases in Victoria, close to 6,000 are active cases. There have been 116 deaths in the state with another 4 recorded overnight and a further 397 new cases. The State of Emergency has been extended until midnight 16 August. There were 17 new cases in New South Wales bringing the state total to 3,584. Queensland have announced that their border is closed to residents of the Sydney Metropolitan area. The Northern Territory have closed their border with Queensland in response to the now 7 new cases in that state.

Total cases globally as of July 31, 2020: 17,396,943 and 675,060 deaths

Total cases in Australia: 17,282, 200 deaths, 10,201 recovered

Total cases in New Zealand: 1212, deaths 22, 1190 recovered

(figures from WHO)

Sources:

https://www.devex.com/news/covid-19-a-timeline-of-the-coronavirus-outbreak-96396

https://shorthand.radionz.co.nz/coronavirus-timeline/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Australia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_New_Zealand

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-current-situation-and-case-numbers

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/updates

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/2020-nsw-health.aspx

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19

D - Dam People

I spent my early years on the banks of the Waikato River. Not literally, but in the city that was built on both sides of it.

It is the longest river in New Zealand at 425 kilometres, flowing from its source on the eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu through Lake Taupo then on to the sea at Port Waikato south of Auckland. Along the way, its energy has been harnessed, lakes created and great dams constructed.

Hydro electric power. New Zealand is lucky, there are several rivers such as the Waikato offering the opportunity to manipulate the flow and generate electricity in a sustainable, renewable way.

My maternal grandfather, a fitter and turner, worked most of his adult life in this industry and so did my father, an engineer. Grandad worked at Coleridge, near Christchurch for a short time before moving on to Waitaki. These were the first two hydro electric stations that the Government was involved with. The beginnings of the State Hydro Department and still going strong today producing energy to keep our homes and workplaces running smoothly.

Waitaki, Highbank, Mangahao, Maraetai, Whakamaru.

My father left school and became a draughting cadet then progressed to become an engineer. While in working in Hamilton many days were spent visiting the stations along the Waikato. Arapuni, Karapiro, Aratiatia, Atiamuri, Waipapa, Whakamaru, Maraetai, Rangipo, and Tokaanu some of which were still under construction.

As well as hydro power generation there was steam at Wairakei and coal fired at Meremere. More recently a new geothermal station Ohaaki and a larger coal fired station at Huntly, although Dad didn’t have much involvement with them.

After we moved to Wellington, the upper Waitaki became Dad’s area of responsibility. Aviemore and Benmore had recently been completed and yet to come were Ohau A, B & C and Tekapo A & B.

My grandfather’s brother left New Zealand and worked on the Snowy Hydro Scheme and in the coal fired stations at Yallourn and in the LaTrobe Valley.

What a cutting edge industry it must have been in those early years, bringing unimaginable change to our society. It seems to me that it was probably comparable to the change that rail brought to our great and great grandparents lives.

Railways provided new opportunities for employment, travel for all and a step into a different socio-economic group. Electricity generation for the masses improved living conditions, promoted the use of new transportation (electric trams as opposed to horse drawn) and lit the streets at night making it safer for those of our ancestors finding their way home in the evenings or later at night.

There are Dam people in my tree – and I’m pretty damned proud to say so.

C - Cyclopedia

C is for cookie and cookie is for me…

So much choice, Christchurch, Castles, Cars, Christmas, Climate…Claire.

Here is a bit about me then.

Eldest child, sister, mother, daughter, cousin, aunt, friend, collector of family history, storyteller, name nerd, puzzle solver, cross-stitcher, card maker, baker, maker, reader, traveller…

It was names that got me interested in genealogy – so many James’ and Johns, Marys and Anns. I remembered tallying them all up once when I was still at college to see how many of each there were. Lots. Some names were definitely overused. Not like today's parents – our ancestors stuck with the tried and true, over and over again. How did they even tell them apart or get the right person to respond ? Even now it is refreshing to see something new – an Arabella, Kerenhappuch, Roxillianna, LaFayette, Aeneas, Balthasar.

Along with names there were the stories people would share, offering a peek into their childhood memories and places they had been. The idea of large families fascinated me. Being one of two and my parents one of two and one of three, the idea of having a whole bunch of siblings seemed so foreign – but fun all the same. I imagined it would be like being one of “The Waltons”, or the Bradfords on “Eight is Enough”.

I think I have always liked history, miniseries such as “The Pallisers”, “Family at War”, “Poldark” and early soaps like “The Sullivans” captured my attention. I loved history at school even though the Third Reich , the Potato Famine & Rise of Sinn Feinn seemed quite disconnected to life in New Zealand and where my roots were.

Over time though, that love of society, people and history has influenced my reading choices and captivated me. Historical fiction is a great way to learn about history and how people of the times experienced the events around them. This led to me trying to learn more and more, and to imagine my ancestors in those times. How did world events, or local events affect them personally. Which events were catalysts for them to change the way they lived ? Who were they ? How did they feel ? What did they believe ? What did they like ? What drove them to make a change in the direction their lives took ? So many of them were from Ag Lab stock. What was it that inspired them to take the leap, leave the village where their families had lived for generations and make a new life in a new town or to find employment with the railways or in large industrial mills ?

I love family history, it consumes a lot of my spare time. Studying DNA matches looking for links, reconnecting with cousins all across the globe, planning where to visit next (when we are ever allowed to do that again). Remembering those who have passed, telling their stories so that their memory will live on for others. Celebrating them and the sacrifices they made – if not for their actions in the face of adversity and their planning in the good times none of us would be here.

Always thinking and wondering, sometimes it is hard to make my mind just stop and reflect. It's a bit like a cyclopedia that I always have with me.

And just as I am sitting here another thought occurred to me.

C is for Coromandel. I read just the other night that gold had been discovered there in 1862. I wonder if that news influenced the decision to not go to Albertland since it was only a few short years after their arrival that the Davys family left Auckland and set up home north of Thames on the peninsular felling trees, saw-milling and gold mining. What resilience and determination they had.

B - Betty

Betty Yeandle was my 4 x great grandmother. We have had her name in our tree for many years. Dad had begun researching but had been unable (in those pre-internet days of the 1970’s) to get back further than the immigrant couple. After writing to a selection of people in the right area of England with the right surname a collaboration with his 5^th and 4^th once removed cousins began. For them, we were the missing branch.

The Yeandle and Davys families had many connections across the generations. But how did you know if they were all part of the same family or just part of another family with the same name.

Just recently, I was able to connect Betty to a set of parents I already had in my tree. As yet I haven’t found her baptism, maybe it hasn’t survived, or maybe the book has but the ink on the page has deteriorated and can no longer be read.

This revelation came from a will. I had been transcribing the will of her husband’s father James Davys, in which he had left instruction that his watch be given to his grandson James (my 2 x great grandfather). I knew as well that my 3 x great grandmother was Mary Yeandle and that her brother John had married a sister of her husband James.

The next will I began to transcribe was John Yeandle’s. It confirmed which of James’ sisters he had married and then set to leaving instructions for his estate including naming the same grandchildren that his brother-in-law James had named.

What ?

But there it was, John had only had two children, and his daughter Betty had married her first cousin James. Their son James was gifted a watch from one grandfather and some ££ from the other.

Betty is rumoured to have left HER grandson James £600 in her will, which I am yet to read because it isn’t available online. It has been suggested that James used that money in part to fund his family’s emigration to New Zealand.

I have just requested a quote for a copy of another document which I think will detail the inheritance of my 2 x great grandfather and his brother after their father predeceased their grandfather. Betty is mentioned in the yet to be seen document too.

Maybe I will get an answer and be able to share the news later in the month. Meanwhile I will try not to get all the Yeandles and the James’ tangled up in my head !

A - Arrival

It is Family History month in Australia and New Zealand, so I have given myself a challenge. (Hope I can do it) Here is the start:

Auckland 17 September 1862.

What sight greeted the passengers on board the Hanover ? One hundred and ten days after their departure from the East India Docks in London on May 29^th, they anchored off Fort Britomart at 10pm.[1] Did the passengers stay below deck ? Or had they ventured out into the night to see ? But what was there to see ?

There would be no blazing lights from buildings and the port as there is today. Auckland was a city just beginning, not much more than 20 years old. The capital though and with a fast growing population. At the census on December 1, 1861 the population of European settlers in the entire province (which at this time included Mongonui; Bay of Islands; Marsden; Northern Division; City of Auckland East; City of Auckland West; Parnell; Newton; Pensioner Settlements; Onehunga; Franklin; Raglan) was 24,420.[2] By the next census on December 1, 1864 it would swell 42,132.[3] The 345 voyagers on board the Hanover numbering just some of the many shiploads of eager free settlers making their way across the world to the new colony.[4]

A city, not large by any means or bustling and crowded like the last they saw in England. Larger though, than the market town they had left behind in Somerset.

I imagine my great-great-grandparents and their fellow passengers, trying to settle their children to sleep for what would be their last night on board in cramped conditions. In an area not much larger than a double bed, packed with their belongings and themselves, where they endured rolling seas and by all accounts some weeks of heavy gales on their voyage.[5] My family on board were my great-great-grandparents and six boys aged 3-12, four of whom along with their father had celebrated birthdays during the voyage. Imagine the excitement levels of those boys. Did their parents have any misgivings ? What were their expectations ? Did they worry that they may have made a poor choice ? Did they have a back up plan ? My great-great-grandmother must have felt some relief knowing that in a few short hours they would all have a little more space, although that sudden loss of confinement could bring some worries of its own with a group of inquisitive, adventurous boys.

Looking west over Official Bay, Auckland, showing trading vessels in the bay, and St Paul's Anglican Church and Fort Britomart in the background. Photograph taken in 1864 by Daniel Manders Beere.[6]

I suspect they were all up with their fellow passengers at daybreak to see what they could see. Accommodation had been secured for the travellers at the government immigration barracks in Freeman’s Bay.[7] There I imagine, there would have been much socialising and chatter with those in their party who had arrived ten days earlier on the Matilda Wattenbach. Comparing voyage experiences and acquainting themselves with the fledgling city; discussing the plans to reach their final destination. Were they perturbed to learn of the unrest amongst their fellow Non-Conformist settlers ?

It was spring. A time heralding new beginnings. But would Albertland be the new beginning they hoped for ?

---

[1] 'Maritime Record', New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1725, 20 September 1862, p.3.

[2] Statistics New Zealand, 'The New Zealand Official Year Book 1864', https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1864-statistics-NZ/1864-statistics-NZ.html#idsect2_1_119, Accessed 31 July 2020.

[3] Statistics New Zealand, 'The New Zealand Official Year Book 1864'.

[4] 'Maritime Record', New Zealander, p.3.

[5] 'Maritime Record', New Zealander, p.3.

[6] Official Bay, Auckland. Ref: 1/2-096113-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. https:natlib.govt.nz/records/23205636

[7] New Zealand Geographic, 'The PromisedLand', https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-promised-land/, Accessed 31 July 2020.

The Unfolding Pandemic - June

Well June has flown by and the numbers are just mind boggling from our end of the planet - even though it has got a bit crazy in one corner here too.

1 June 2020 – WHO Director-General says during a press conference that the US has not contacted WHO directly about President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agency. In Afghanistan confirmed cases increased by 684% in May. The country has over 15,700 cases. In Brazil the number of cases surpasses 500,000.

2 June 2020 — The first death is recorded in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.

3 June 2020 — After pausing their trial of hydroxychloroquine on 25 May after observational studies found patients taking the drug had increased rates of death and heart arrhythmias, WHO have decided to restart the trial. India experienced a record increase of 8,909 cases in one day.

No new cases reported in New Zealand for the 12^th day in a row.

4 June 2020 – 6.5 million cases globally. The Lancet retracts its study on COVID-19 patients using hydroxychloroquine that found the drug increased death rates and increased heartbeat irregularities. The retraction was made, at the request of its authors, because the medical journal could “no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources”.

South Australia one more has no active cases. Queensland

5 June 2020 – WHO updates its guidance on the use of masks. It advises that medical masks be worn by all people working in clinical areas of a health facility, not just those caring for patients with COVID-19; it advises that people over 60, or those with underlying conditions, in areas with community transmission should wear a mask in situations where social distancing is not possible; and it advises governments to encourage its citizens to wear masks in paces of widespread transmission where physical distancing is difficult, such as public transport or in shops.

6 June 2020 – A project from The Guardian and Kaiser Health News finds that nearly 600 frontline health workers have died from the virus in the US. Brazil’s ministry of health removes months of COVID-19 data from its website that document the rapid escalation in cases. Brazil has the second largest outbreak in the world, after the US.

Victoria and New South Wales both transported no new cases with only Queensland and Western Australia reporting one case each the lowest national total since February. The Queensland case turned out to be connected to a known cluster in Victoria.

7 June 2020 – The death toll globally passes 400,000. The highest number of cases in a single day – 136,000, 75% of cases come from 10 countries predominantly in the Americas and South Asia.

The first new case in the ACT was reported in a returning international traveller.

8 June 2020 – The number of cases globally surpasses 7,000,000.

There are no active case in New Zealand for the first time since 28 February. The country moved to Level 1at 11.59pm, removing all restrictions except border controls.

9 June 2020 – Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert calls the COVID-19 pandemic his “worst nightmare.” South Africa releases the first set of data examining the risk of death for people living with tuberculosis or HIV who contract COVID-19. The data base on patients in the Western Cape province, finds that those living with HIV have a risk of death that is 2.75 times higher and those living with TB have a risk that is 2.5 times higher. Still the South African research suggests that TB and HIV pose less of a risk than several other health factors such as diabetes.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield announced that people quarantined at the border would no longer be able to apply for an exemption to attend funerals or tangihanga. Previously 142 people had been granted exemptions.

10 June 2020 – The number of cases on the African continent surpasses 200,000. It took 98 days to reach 100,000 but just eighteen days to double that amount.

11 June 2020 – The number of cases in the US surpasses 2,000,000.

12 June 2020 – A paper from the Institute of Labor Economics in Bonn, Germany suggests that masks can reduce the daily spread of new infections by 40%.

There are no active cases in Tasmania.

13 June 2020 – Beijing closes its largest fruit and vegetable market following positive tests of 45 people at the market. This occurs more than 50 days without a case in the Chinese capital. Globally cases surpass 7,500,000.

14 June 2020 – China reports 57 new cases the highest daily toll in two months

15 June 2020 – It took over two months for the world to reach the initial 100,000 confirmed cases, but more the 100,000 new case have been reported almost every day of the past two weeks. Nearly 75% of these new cases come from 10 countries predominantly in the Americas and South Asia. WHO confirm that the US are still a member of the organisation despite President Trump saying at a press conference on 29 May that the country was “terminating” its relationship. The US Food and Drug Administration revokes authorisation for the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment of COVID-19 following several clinical trials suggesting that the drug is ineffective.

16 June 2020 – Following 24 days without any new cases, New Zealand reports that two women returning from the UK have tested positive. The number of cases globally exceeds 8,000,000. Initial clinical trial results show the steroid called dexamethasone can reduce mortality by about one third for COVID-19 patients on ventilators. This is the first drug shown to save the lives of people requiring oxygen or ventilator support. It has been in use since the 1960s, is off-patent and affordable in most countries.

After 24 days with no new cases, two new cases are revealed as NZ citizens returning form overseas. Concern is heightened since they were permitted to leave quarantine on compassionate grounds and tested positive once in the community. Health Minister David Clark suspends compassionate exemptions for travellers until the Government is satisfied with Ministry procedures.

17 June 2020 – WHO drops hydroxychloroquine from its Solidarity Trial, a global effort to identify treatments for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Ardern announced that New Zealand Defence Force Assistant Chief of Defence  would oversee the country’s border and quarantine isolation facilities in response to the recent outbreak reported on 16 June.

Once more no active cases in ACT.

18 June 2020 – Over 150,000 new cases are reported, the highest number in one day since the start of the pandemic. Almost half are from the Americas.

Another new case, a traveller returning from overseas is revealed to be another positive case. Director -General of Health announces that all travellers on trans-Tasman flights will be required to wear face masks in response to the three recent cases returning from overseas.

19 June 2020 – COVID-19 cases in Brazil reach over 1 million. The country reports 54,000 new cases in one day. WHO warn that the pandemic is in a “new and dangerous phase,” as many people are tired of staying home and governments are eager to reopen their economies, but the virus is spreading fast and most people globally are still susceptible to contracting it.

Housing Minster Megan Woods along with Air Commodore Darryn Webb are given joint responsibility to oversee isolation and quarantine facilities for travellers returning to New Zealand.

20 June 2020 –

Prime Minister Ardern announced that the health order would be amended to require people to test negative for COVID-19 before leaving quarantine. They also extended the ban on cruise ships arriving at New Zealand ports beyond 30 June.

Victorian Government announced a re-tightening of restrictions on household gatherings following a spike in community transmitted cases over the previous week. Western Australia announced a move to Phase 4 on June 27 permitting some of the most relaxed restrictions in the country.

21 June 2020 – COVID-19 deaths in Brazil surpass 50,000.

22 June 2020 – Thailand reports three imported cases after it has had 28 days without local transmission. Preliminary data from a UK trial shows that the steroid dexamethasone has the potential to save the lives of critically ill patients.ONE week after reaching 8,000,000 case the global total has now passed 9,000,000.

There are now 9 new active cases – all returning international travellers,

23 June 2020 – A report from the UN shows that 40% of low-and lower-middle income countries have not supported disadvantaged students during school shutdowns.

New Zealand Government are considering getting returnees to pay part of the costs associated with their managed isolation and quarantine process. The Health Minister announced that border staff, flight crew and quarantine workers would receive priority testing.

24 June 2020 – Many countries are facing challenges in obtaining oxygen concentrators with 80% of the market owned by a few companies. The epidemic in the Americas is “still intense” with many countries experiencing a 25%-50% rise in the number of cases over the last week. In many countries of the region the pandemic has not yet peaked.

Health Minister David Clark and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield admitted that 51 of 55 people who had left managed isolation early on compassionate leave had not been tested. Of those 51, 39 tested negative, 4 are awaiting results, 7 were ineligible due to age or medical reasons and 4 are yet to be tested, and 1 was wrongly counted.

25 June 2020 – Africa is no longer the least affected region with more than 300, 000 cases and over 8,000 deaths.

26 June 2020 – WHO publishes a consolidated investment case which discovers that the international community still must raise $27.9billion of the #31.3 billion needed over the next 12-18 months to ensue development and delivery of critical tools in the fight against COVID-19.

27 June 2020 – Brazil signs an agreement to locally produce AstraZeneca’s experimental vaccine which is considered the most advanced in terms of development.

The Health Ministry acknowledged that 2,159 people had left managed isolation between 9 June and 16 June. 1,288 had tested negative, 367 were awaiting testing and 427 were yet to be contacted. 137 were ineligible and 79 had refused testing.

28 June 2020 – Globally the number of cases has passed 10 million just SIX days since the total reached 9,000,000. The number of deaths over 500, 000.

29 June 2020 – WHO says that countries which are saying contact tracing is too difficult given the level of cases are using lame excuses. WHO also plans to send a team to China to investigate the origin of the pandemic. Another new virus has been detected in China, this one related to the H1N1 Swine Flu but also with pandemic potential.

More cases have been caught at the border over the last week and are I managed isolation and quarantine, bringing the total number of active cases to 22. Health Minister Clark announced a $150million investment in PPE from the $50billion COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund unveiled in the Budget. In addition all returnees in isolation facilities are required to wear face masks.

30 June 2020 – Six months have passed since WHO received the first reports from China of a cluster of cases which was then only known as cases of pneumonia with unknown cause.

As the spike in cases spirals in Victoria other states announce measures to begin relaxing their border restrictions. Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales lock out Victoria and implementing severe monetary penalties to those who choose to endanger others by returning or visiting. In the last 7 days there have been 265 new cases in Australia, with 192 from community transmission and mostly in Victoria. Residents in ten postcode areas in Melbourne have been placed in an enforced lockdown.

Total cases globally as of June 30, 2020: 10,302,052 and 505, 505 deaths

Total cases in Australia: 7920, 104 deaths, 7063 recovered

Total cases in New Zealand: 1178, deaths 22, 1156 recovered

(figures from WHO)

Sources:

https://www.devex.com/news/covid-19-a-timeline-of-the-coronavirus-outbreak-96396

https://shorthand.radionz.co.nz/coronavirus-timeline/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Australia

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-current-situation-and-case-numbers

The Unfolding Pandemic - May

I have been having technology issues and only just realised that it is almost the end of June and I havent posted May's update yet ! Oops.

1 May 2020 – Humanitarian actors and health officials are struggling to get supplies to fragile settings in Africa because of disruptions to supply chains and travel restrictions, They are concerned that the window of opportunity to push medical and humanitarian aid in to Africa to curb the pandemic is closing rapidly.

Three new cases reported in New Zealand

2 May 2020 — Russia records a “one day” record for the country with 9,623 new cases. In India the number of new daily cases exceed 2,000 for the first time. Meanwhile Iran had it lowest daily count in two months.

Six more cases are reported as well as another death linked to the Rosewood Rest Home cluster.

An outbreak announced at a meatworks in Victoria with 8 cases.

3 May 2020 — Random testing in Kabul returns concerning results 150/500 positive cases. In West and Central Africa eight countries are reporting community transmission. The number of cases could potentially double each week if the trend continues. This region has 54% of the total cases for the African continent and 35% of the deaths. Globally 3,502,126 cases have been confirmed and 247,107 deaths.

Two more cases reported.

4 May 2020 – A pledging conference hosted by the EU and attended by dozens of world leaders raises $8.1billion to fund the research and equitable distribution of COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. A plane carrying humanitarian supplies crashed near Baidoa, Somalia, killing 6 people on board.

No new cases reported in New Zealand for the first time since 16 March. Dr Ashley Bloomfield Director General of Health says the test will come at the end of the week when new cases could indicate exposure after the country moved to level three restrictions.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces the return to school plan for the State’s schoolchildren, beginning with Kindergarten, Prep and Years 1, 11 & 12 on May 11 with all other years returning by May 25. A fifteenth resident dies at Newmarch House the Sydney rest home which is the centre of a COVID-19 cluster. The centre implements a testing regime for staff arriving on site for the first time since the pandemic was declared and has taken steps to move healthy residents to a separate area of the facility.

5 May 2020 – UK coronavirus adviser Neil Ferguson resigns after disobeying the lockdown rules that he helped to create. WHO, UNICEF and the International Federation of the Red Cross publish guidance for community-based healthcare in the context of COVID-19.

Another day with no new cases.

6 May 2020 – At least five years of progress on efforts to control tuberculosis could be lost because of the pandemic limiting efforts to diagnose, treat and prevent the disease. There is concern that Somalia is quickly becoming overwhelmed by a major uptick in cases and that many cases have been untested, when there seems to be widespread community transmission.

Two new cases reported in Auckland, both linked to known clusters.

7 May 2020 – The UN increases its Global Humanitarian Response Plan to nearly $7 billion. In a press release WHO forecast that if containment measures fail between 29 million and 44 million people could become infected in Africa with 83,000-190,000 deaths in the first year. The virus could be a fixture in our lives for several years.

Another new case this time linked to a cluster in Matamata. The Prime Minister revealed details of life in level two, if cabinet agrees to loosen restrictions on Monday.

8 May 2020 – The US blocked a vote in the UN Security Council calling for a resolution for a global ceasefire, over mention of WHO. This follows on from Trump’s criticism of WHO’s handling of the crisis, their relationship with China and his announcement that he was suspending US contributions to WHO.

As two more cases are confirmed, it is revealed that 90% of cases have recovered and there are just 143 active cases in the country.

The cluster at Cedar Meats in Victoria has grown to 71, consisting of 57 workers and 13 close contacts.

9 May 2020 – The number of cases globally exceeds 4,000,000. In the US alone there are 1.3 million cases. According to John Hopkins University only 34% of cases globally have recovered. Former President Barack Obama calls Donald Trump’s handling of the country’s COVID-19 pandemic an “absolute chaotic disaster”.

Two new cases are reported, linked to the St Margaret’s Hospital and Rest Home cluster.

The Cedar Meats cluster reached 75 and another new cluster was identified at a McDonalds also in Victoria, with 2 cases.

10 May 2020 – China reports the first case in Wuhan where the pandemic originated, since April 3^rd. Reports suggest that Ethiopian troops may have shot down a plane on 4 May carrying humanitarian supplies to Somalia.

Another two cases are reported, one linked to a known cluster and the other a returning international traveller.

11 May 2020 – China reports a new cluster in Wuhan, the first since lifting lockdown restrictions.

Three new cases are confirmed. Two liked to the St Margaret’s cluster and the third to overseas travel. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern outlines the staggered move to level two beginning on 14 May.

12 May 2020 – Five patients in Russia die in a hospital fire thought to have been caused by a ventilator short circuit. Russia now has the second highest caseload, following the United States. Brazil and Mexico both report their highest daily number of deaths.

No new cases reported

13 May 2020 – WHO warn against lifting restrictions before systems and public health surveillance measures are in place to ensure the ability to rapidly manage any spikes or a second wave. The first case is reported in Lesotho, now the virus is present in every country on the African continent.

Another day with no new cases reported in New Zealand.

There are now 88 cases linked to the Cedar Meats cluster.

14 May 2020 – The number of deaths globally surpasses 300,000. The first case is reported in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, home to nearly 900,000 people.

New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2 – big queues for hairdressers and cafes and takeaway outlets. No new cases are reported. The Government unveils a $50 billion recovery package as part of the Budget 2020.

90 cases are linked to the Cedar Meats cluster.

15 May 2020 – The Asian Development Bank revised its estimates on the economic impact of the coronavirus for the 3^rd time, with a range of $5.8 trillion-$8.8 trillion dependent on the length of containment. These estimates are more than twice the estimates released in April.

One new case linked to the Marist cluster is reported

In New South Wales some restrictions on social gatherings were lifted. Free standing cafes and restaurants and those inside pubs and clubs were allowed very limited sit-down dining with a maximum of 10 patrons. Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 were allowed; 10 guests allowed at weddings and funerals could have 20 mourners indoors and 30 outdoors. South Australia became the second jurisdiction, after ACT, to be free of active cases.

16 May 2020 – The Kenyan government says 78 foreign truck drivers tested positive at the border and were denied entry. As a consequence they announced there will be no passenger traffic through its Tanzania and Somalia land borders. Uganda also announce similar measures.

No new cases reported in New Zealand.

Restrictions lifted across Australia, although each state has adopted their own plan. In Queensland parks, walkways, beaches reopened and residents can travel up to 150km from their homes – but not stay away overnight. Cafes and restaurants are able to reopen for a maximum number of 10 diners at a time – appropriately socially distanced. Groups of up to 10 can gather in outdoor spaces and up to five adults can visit another person’s home at a time.

17 May 2020 – Chinese officials quarantine 8,000 people in the north eastern part of the country after a new cluster of infections are reported.

One new case linked to the Rosewood Rest Home cluster in Christchurch. The Ministry of Health say 96% of people with COVID-19 have recovered.

Victoria announced that two business, a Domino’s Pizza store and a mattress manufacturer have been closed due to a suspected case at each.

18 May 2020 – Over 100 countries back a draft resolution to the World Health Assembly calling for an independent inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus crisis and pandemic. The resolution was welcomed by WHO. Preliminary data from the first COVID-19vaccine trial in humans shows that the vaccine is creating an immune response.

No new cases are announced, there are 45 active cases in the country, schools reopened.

The cluster which began at McDonalds in Fawkner has increased to 12 cases linked to a delivery driver which prompted the closure of 12 stores.

19 May 2020 – An estimated 20 million people faced acute food insecurity in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti and Eritrea before the crisis. There are concerns that those numbers could double over the next three months. A study published in the academic journal Nature Climate Change reveals that carbon emissions have dropped 17% this year, through April, in comparison to 2019. The Lancet refutes comments made by the US President that it published reports regarding novel coronavirus in December 2019.

Another day with no new cases for New Zealand.

A resident of Newmarch House in Sydney died, bringing the total death in that cluster to 19 and the national total to 100.

20 May 2020 – WHO receives reports of a record 106,000 new cases globally. The most reported in one day since the outbreak began.

New Zealand again reports no new cases. The Health Ministry launched a contact tracing app which allowed users to scan their QR code at businesses, public buildings and other organisations to track where they have been.

21 May 2020 – Globally there are 5,000,000 cases. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, five countries account for 56% of the cases on the African continent: South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Nigeria.

Bars (defined as on-licensed premises that primarily serve beverages) were able to reopen.

Northern Territory announced they had no active cases.

22 May 2020 – Brazil surpasses Russia as the country with the second highest number of cases globally as South America looks to be emerging as a new epicentre. An estimated 80 million children under the age of 1 are at risk of diseases including diptheria, measles and polio because the pandemic is disrupting routine vaccination efforts. The daily death toll in New York City s the lowest it has been in two months.

23 May 2020 – The first death is reported in the Gaza Strip. Indigenous people in Brazil are dying at twice the rate of the rest of the country’s population.

24 May 2020 – The first indications of whether a potential vaccine is effective could be available in the northern autumn.

25 May 2020 – Following an observational study of the drug hydroxychloroquine and its effects on COVID-19 patients being published in the Lancet on 22 May, WHO place a temporary pause on its trial of the drug. WHO say that assuming that a second wave of cases will be tied to a change in the seasons is problematic.

Prime Minister Ardern raised the limits on social gatherings including religious services, weddings and funerals to 100 to come into effect at 12pm 29 May. She also announced that cabinet would consider a decision to move to level 1 on 8 June. Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a 12 week relief payment scheme for citizens and residents who had lost full or part time work.

26 May 2020 – The number of cases globally reach 5.5 million. Antibody tests for COVID-19 are only accurate half of the time and it is still unclear whether people who have antibodies are protected against contracting the disease again.

A returning overseas traveller granted an exemption to leave her quarantine hotel in Victoria and return to South Australia tested positive, becoming the state’s first case for 19 days.

27 May 2020 – The death toll in the US surpasses 100,000. WHO launches an independent grant-making foundation to broaden its contributor base.

Between 21 May and 27 May New Zealand reports just one new case linked to a known cluster.

28 May 2020 – The chief executive officer of Pfizer expresses concern that the distribution of vaccines could be challenging in Africa because of the lack of widespread infrastructure to deliver them at a cold temperature. The chief executive of AstraZeneca says they are investigating delivering multidose vials instead of single dose because there are not enough glass vials available globally to meet the expected demand.

There are no new cases in New Zealand but the death toll rises by 1.

29 May 2020 – US President Trump says during a press conference that the country is “terminating” its relationship with WHO and “redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving global public health needs.” He says this is because WHO has failed to make requested reforms. Meanwhile WHO and Costa Rica launch the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool a voluntary mechanism aimed at making vaccines, tests, treatments and other health technologies universally accessible and affordable by pooling the scientific knowledge, data and intellectual property around the tools created to fight COVID-19.

For the seventh day in a row there are no new cases reported. There is just ONE active case.

30 May 2020 – Brazil reports a record increase of 33,274 cases. A vaccine developed in China may be available by the end of the year.

No new cases are reported or confirmed.

31 May 2020 – Cases globally surpass 6 million.

Another day with no new cases.

Total cases globally as of May 31, 2020: 6.057,853 and 371,166 deaths

Total cases in Australia: 7185, deaths 103, 7082 recovered

Total cases in New Zealand: 1154, deaths 22, 1131 recovered

(figures from WHO)

Sources:

https://www.devex.com/news/covid-19-a-timeline-of-the-coronavirus-outbreak-96396

https://shorthand.radionz.co.nz/coronavirus-timeline/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Australia

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-current-situation-and-case-numbers