Page 4 - Prof Baker News Today

Shift to COVID-19 alert level 2 reasonable, but Auckland outbreak looks like a border failure - epidemiologist Newshub 17/02/2021 Michael Morrah © Video - Newshub; Image - Getty / Newshub. Watch: Professor Michael Baker says the alert level change is a "calculated risk". Epidemiologist Michael Baker says Auckland shifting to COVID-19 alert level 2 is reasonable, as were not seeing widespread unexpected community spread.  The Otago University professor says the main source ...

Saliva testing Professors Michael Baker and Nick Wilson from the University of Otago are arguing for compulsory "daily PCR-based testing of saliva for MIQ [Managed Isolation and Quarantine] workers". In a paper containing 12 recommendations to make the border safer, they say this option could also be "explored for travellers in MIQ in addition to the current testing regimen to allow for comparative assessments". Prof Wilson said New Zealand should have moved from weekly testing long ago, and sh...

The Grand Millenium in Aucklands CBD is a COVID-19 managed isolation hotel.  Its a high-risk venue, but not enough to stop what appears to have been a high-risk romantic rendezvous.  "Its unacceptable. There are consequences. The person has already lost their job," COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins said at a press conference on Friday afternoon. That person is a staff member at the hotel, with Hipkins describing it as an "encounter" and refusing to speculate on whether the visit was of a ...

Our dumb luck will run out: COVID-19 experts condemn encounter in MIQ hotel, say weve dodged a bullet Newshub 29/01/2021 Michael Morrah Our dumb luck will run out: COVID-19 experts condemn encounter in MIQ hotel, say weve dodged a bullet Replay Video The Grand Millenium in Aucklands CBD is a COVID-19 managed isolation hotel.  Its a high-risk venue, but not enough to stop what appears to have been a high-risk romantic rendezvous.  "Its unacceptable. There are consequences. Th...

Professor Michael Baker Photo: University of Otago Wellington / Luke Pilkinton-Ching​ The only main route from the UK to New Zealand which doesnt require a pre-departure test currently, is through Doha. New Zealanders in the UK are not allowed to transit through Japan, China or Hong Kong, and currently need a negative test before transiting through Singapore. Prof Baker said the new requirement was an inevitable shift in policy. "Almost all airline routes into New Zealand require testing be...

Professor Michael Baker said the new strain was always going to make its way here. "It was inevitable - because once it comes a dominant strain, like it has in the UK, people coming here will obviously bring it with them. "This new variant will become dominant all over the world over the next couple of weeks and months because its more infectious." He said if there was community transmission with the new strain in New Zealand it would be harder to control. "Weve seen figures that it is up to 50...

Wellingtonian Michael Baker awarded MNZM for epidemiology 30 Dec, 2020 07:47 PM 3 minutes to read Professor Michael Baker been made a member of the Order of Merit for his services to public health science. Photo / Supplied RNZ By Liu Chen, of RNZ Epidemiologist Michael Baker, whose advice has helped inform the governments pandemic strategy, says his New Year Honour came as a pleasant surprise. The Otago University Medical Professor has been made a member of the Order of Merit for his services ...

He has been professor of public health at the University of Otago in Wellington since 2013 and is director of the Health Environment Infection Research Unit (HEIRU). He is co-director of the universitys He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme and the Public Health Summer School. Prof Baker has a range of public health research interests, with a particular focus on infectious diseases, environmental health and housing and has published widely in these areas. As a member of the Min...

Michael Baker given MNZM for epidemiology Liu Chen © RNZ Michael Baker given MNZM for epidemiology Otago University Medical Professor Michael Baker says his New Year Honour came as a pleasant surprise and is a recognition for all those who work in public health and epidemiology. He has been professor of public health at the University of Otago in Wellington since 2013 and is director of the Health Environment Infection Research Unit (HEIRU). He is co-director of the universit...