ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Public health experts: Bringing WHO patient to New Zealand is 'risky'

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 30 Jul 2021, 7:42AM
(Photo / RNZ)
(Photo / RNZ)

Public health experts: Bringing WHO patient to New Zealand is 'risky'

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 30 Jul 2021, 7:42AM

New Zealand may be taking on extra risks -- by allowing a Covid-19 patient to be transferred from Fiji to New Zealand for treatment.

The woman arrived at Auckland Airport last night, before being transferred to Middlemore Hospital.

She's understood to be a high-profile World Health Organisation staffer, medevaced under a UN agreement.

Auckland University public health expert Colin Tukuitonga told Kate Hawkesby  it's an inherently risky move.

“There’s a higher chance that this is Delta varient, and Delta can go bad real quick. I think we’re accepting a risky situatuion to be honest.”

Tukuitonga says if New Zealand wants to help people in Fiji, it should be deploying more specialists and resources to the country.

LISTEN ABOVE

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you