NZ Covid19 cases fall but Pasifika cases in NZ rise
As confirmed numbers of Covid19 cases in Aotearoa start to decline, Pacific case numbers rose to 54 on April 11th, and our Pacific medical communities are worried that not enough Pacific people are being tested and that our high risk communities still aren’t practising lockdown rules.
Dr Rawiri Taonui expressed his concern on the Waatea news site around Maori and Pacific Covid 19 case numbers and testing data, saying that the current Pacific testing percentage of 7.2% is ‘based on a single primary identity’ meaning that the multi ethnic Pacific population is missing and our communities are being under counted
Dr Taonui says that the current model of testing data does not count at least 60,000 Pacific people from the 2018 Census and that the Ministry’s reluctance to release DHB data by ethnicity reflects a white risk-management approach to data and information for Māori and Pacific communities.
“Information is not a privilege. Information is power and our communities need this information to empower them to make the right decisions and choices in the fight against Covid-19.” Dr Rawiri via https://www.waateanews.com/
Dr Meg Poutasi and Colin Tukuitonga who leads the government Pacific health advisory group, have also expressed concerns about the under testing of Pasifika populations. The worry about the potential community transmission levels in Pacific communities is something that is a horrific prospect to many.
Community leader Tongan Manase Lua identifies Pacific overstayers as being a dangerous factor to community spread as they are untraceable and scared of being tracked if they come forward, saying:
“We have HUGE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION RISKS in our community already given our large families, crowded houses and social nature. Add the highly TRANSIENT nature of overstayers going from home to home. Anyone with half a brain can see what might happen if even one overstayer with the COVID19 falls through the gap due to fear of authority, fear of being caught or just FEAR. It’s real and more anxiety inducing than worrying about which brand of toilet paper you will use to wipe your nether regions!”
Other community leaders emphasise the high risk of Pacific people who have had endemic upon endemic - Coronavirus on top of diabetes and underlying health conditions, on top of poverty and overcrowded housing making for a deadly combination.
Dr Colin Tukuitonga says "What we need is a breakdown on which Pacific ethnicities have been impacted - Pacific people are routinely undercounted, but NZ as a nation is also currently undertested particularly compared to the better resourced countries like Germany and Korea that have much higher testing capacity.”
CEO of Counties Manukau Fepulea'i Margie Apa says that positive measures are being taken with the third pop up Covid testing station in Otara. There are also new mobile testing units in the pipeline that will increase Pasifika testing.
“Now, having more testing stations across the northern region reassures us further because we can test more Pacific people. It’s been really important to have the two testing stations in Panmure and Otara because those are more accessible to large Pacific populations that live in those areas, so at the moment we are reassured that we are getting good testing coverage for Pacific people”
What is being emphasised by all Pacific health professionals is the absolute need for Pasifika people to keep safe.
The messages for Pacific people are particularly important now- no group gatherings of any sort for your wider aigas, no faikava group, no church gathering, no bingo, no bigger family get togethers outside of your bubble. Stay home, social distance in public for essential needs only and wash your hands vigilantly.
“All the messages about physical distancing as very important - if you are waiting for a test result, you should still physically distance yourself from your household until you get your results. We want Pacific families to continue to keep up the hygiene practices (washing hands with soap and water, cleaning surfaces with disinfectant regularly) especially those of us that live with extended family members i.e grandparents or larger families with lots of children in our household. We are getting tips, ideas, and more advice in to our households to make sure that we are able to stop the transmission - even within our own families it is possible to do that.” - Margie Apa
The government recently announced a 17Million dollar funding package targeting Pasifika communities during the Covid crisis.
Last week Assoc Minister Jenny Salesa said that this would link high-risk people with important services, and that the Pacific response package would "help us communicate with our Pacific communities in own language, so people better understand what they need to do to combat the virus".
Salesa said that it would also ensure people know to get help if and when they need it, and ensuring continued availability of "by-Pacific, for Pacific" health and disability services during the pandemic was important.
Dr Tukuitonga has also spoken of bringing in more Pacific health workers to address a shortfall. The challenges for the Pacific health providers have been to move consultations online and the lack of staff to make individual visits to elderly and at-risk patients.
There are also concerns about Pacific people getting the wrong information and looking at fraudulent cures - much like was witnessed during the measle epidemic in Samoa.
Dr Tukuitonga described how Pacific communities have been targeted by people peddling fraudulent cures for Covid-19 and warns to only listen to credible information from the health authorities.
"There's too much misinformation and not enough of the credible, reliable information for people and this is a particular issue for the Pacific communities." Dr Tukuitonga
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also shut down social media claims that there is a link between 5G mobile phone technology and the Covid-19 response "That is not true," she said. "I can’t state it clearly enough. I almost hesitate to speak to it on this platform - it is just not true.
There are currently 5 Covid testing stations in South Auckland - Mangere, Takanini, Otara, Wiri and Pukekohe. The Otara based Covid-19 testing station is located in the main Otara Shopping Centre car park, where the Otara Saturday Markets would normally operate, next to the South Seas Healthcare clinic.
Here are some essential services for Covid 19 Information:
Covid19 NZ Govt info for Pacific Peoples
Ministry of Health information
