Page 8 - Professor Nick News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

But monitoring and compliance with that critical testing programme has been poor. "I think we're seeing a lot of areas where the data collection and system are way too loose," says Otago University epidemiologist Professor Nick Wilson. If you have more information, email Newshub's Investigations Reporter Michael Morrah in confidence at michaelmorrah@tv3.co.nz There are 4497 workers in our MIQ hotels. Figures provided to Newshub show last week 90 percent were compliant with the mandatory testing rules. That means 10 percent of workers were non-compliant - so 450 workers missed their scheduled ...

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 should be saliva testing border staff daily. Professor Nick Wilson. Photo: RNZ Insight / John Gerrits...

Two extremes of scenario are possible in containing the latest Covid leak. What are they?

A ban on products containing microbeads came into force in the UK in 2018 Following bans on plastic microbeads in wash-off cosmetics, a new study weighs up the environmental costs of alternatives. Microbeads have been included in personal care and cosmetic products ranging from toothpastes and sunscreen to body scrubs and industrial hand cleaners, usually to improve qualities like abrasiveness. Not every apparently ‘natural’ alternative is desirable, so care is needed in selecting new cosmetic formulations. Professor Nick Voulvoulis Microbeads are small, manufactured plastic pellets, typi...

14th Dec 20, 2:25pm Image sourced from needpix Cabinet has agreed in-principle to establishing a travel bubble with Australia within the first three months of 2021. The arrangement will depend on there being “no significant change” in the Covid-19 situation in both countries, and the bubble getting sign-off from the Australian government.   A bubble would allow for the free flow of travel between countries without the need for quarantine. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a commencement date for the bubble would be announced in the new year. She said a number of logistical issues had to...