Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 33

Weekly briefings in different Pacific languages on various media outlets amid the recent Covid-19 resurgence in Auckland is a vital resource for the community, says a senior Pacific doctor.

Dr Apisalome Talemaitoga FRNZCGP, a senior member of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) and member of the Health Ministry’s Pasifika Covid-19 response team, says the regular briefings on various Pacific media platforms complement the daily updates by Dr Ashley Bloomfield and are led by Pacific medical professionals fluent in their respective languages.

Dr Talemaitoga says since the recent Covid resurgence has mainly affected Pacific families, the weekly bulletins in languages like Samoan, Fijian, Tongan and Niuean, are essential updates in order to distribute important information to the community.

“There’s been a lot of organising to find Pacific medical staff who are fluent in their language to be part of these briefings because many of them are also working in the hospitals on the frontline.

Many of our Pacific people have low health literacy rates.…more

All Blacks legend and co-founder of the Village Community Services Trust, Laáuli Sir Michael Jones KNZM says Pacific people have the resilience and compassion to rise above the negative online comments targeting the community, after it was revealed that the majority of new Covid-19 cases were from Pacific families.

“The comments are unacceptable. It hurts us and impacts each and every one of us. It shows that Covid can bring out the best and the worst in people, where there is profiling and the reaffirmation of ignorance and all the ugliness that goes with it,” he says.

“But for our Pasifika people, it’s how we respond and use that criticism to help mobilise us, to look after and protect each other. Hopefully, in the process, we can educate and demonstrate to the rest of society that it’s not about the person or the family but about the reality of how this virus can affect any culture or creed.

We know that one thing that Pacific people are good at is showing our alofa and compassion.…more

A case of COVID-19 has been found in the community that's not linked to the Auckland cluster and health officials are desperately trying to ring fence it.

The Covid case in question is a man who works as a maintenance worker at the Rydges Hotel managed isolation facility in Auckland who does not have any routine contact with guests. His partial genome sequencing results indicate his case is not linked to the community cluster. 

The person returned a positive result for COVID-19 on Sunday 16 August with symptom onset on 11 August. He was transferred to Jet Park Hotel quarantine facility on Monday 17 August.…more

A senior Pacific doctor has applauded the actions of the Pacific community and church leaders who have been proactive during the recent Covid-19 resurgence by ensuring their members are getting tested and following the correct medical advice.

Places of worship, like the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Auckland’s Māngere East, have even organised pop-up testing stations that have been set up specifically for church members, after news that the recent cluster of Covid-19 infections have mainly affected Pacific individuals.

Samoan doctor and vice president of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), Dr Teuila Percival QSO FRACP, says the messaging from church and community leaders is extremely important during this crisis.

“We’ve seen great leadership from our leaders who are supporting and relaying advice to their congregations and encouraging them to get tested. There’s been a lot of anxiety concerning our community. Despite the worry, our people have been responding very appropriately, by staying home, social distancing and getting tested if they have any symptoms.” says Dr Percival.…more

With Auckland now at alert level three, while the rest of Aotearoa is at alert level two, the Pacific Pharmacists’ Association is urging Pacific people to stay on top of their medication or repeat prescriptions.

“As the government urges people to stay home to minimise the spread of the virus, people will still need to go out for necessities, including getting their medications,” says Kasey Brown President of the Pacific Pharmacists’ Association.

“It's important that you keep taking your medicines regularly, as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t stop or reduce your dose of your regular medicines because of COVID-19.”

“If your medicines are running low and you need a new prescription, contact your doctor. If you have problems getting in touch with your doctor, speak to your local pharmacist and they may be able to help you get a prescription from your doctor.”

With a resurgence of COVID-19 found in the community, pharmacies are always open but may operate differently.…more

The official cause of death to a male reported Saturday 15th August 2020 at the Leulumoega District Hospital is subject to an official Coroner’s Report contrary to claims posted on Social Media that the COVID19 virus is the confirmed cause of death, clarified the Ministry of Health.

The deceased collapsed at home and rushed to hospital where he was proclaimed Dead on Arrival.

Based on review into the deceased medical records, he did not have a severe medical condition or history and had a clean bill of health.  And statements from family and relatives confirm that he was fit and healthy since his release from Quarantine. Family members also attest that he had no sign of illness and had attended to his usual day to day routines which include going to the plantation etc. a week leading up to last Saturday.

He had completed his 14 day mandatory quarantine requirement on 31st July 2020 after he was tested negative for COVID 19 before he was allowed to go home.…more

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Dr Colin Tukuitonga who is again working closely with the Ministry Of Health at Alert Level 3 has been doing wide social media callouts for "no mass gatherings, wear masks, wash hands and use strict social distancing." 

Our Pasifika aiga are being encouraged more than ever before to up their levels of caution and prevention against Covid-19 and Dr Tukuitonga emphasises how imperative this is at this time with our communities being hugely vulnerable as confirmed Covid cases rise. 

There are 13 new cases in Aotearoa today - 12 of which are linked to the first cluster.  One patient is in critical condition in ICU and has not had the source of Covid 19 infection identified. 

Meanwhile up to 300 people who attended a Māngere East church on Sunday have been urged to get tested for Covid-19 urgently after a family at the congregation tested positive. Everyone who was at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa Māngere East Puaseisei on Sunday and anyone who has been in contact with them are being told to get a test as a precaution.…more

A senior Pacific public health specialist says the call for Auckland to return to Level 3 and the rest of the county to Level 2 is essential to control the Covid-19 resurgence, especially for the Pacific community as they are the most vulnerable.

Dr. Colin Tukuitonga, a senior member of the Pasifika Medical Association who is part of the Auckland Regional Public Health Service that consults to the government, says lockdown is the best way to protect the community after four people living in Auckland tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday to become the first cases of community transmission in weeks.

Three adults and one child from the same family had tested positive for Covid-19 with no clear origin for the infection – such as overseas travel or a close connection with someone who had travelled overseas recently.
“We don’t have medicines to cure this disease and we don’t have a vaccine, so social distancing and lockdown is the only public health measure to fight this,” says Dr Tukuitonga.
“Lockdown has proven to be is effective.…more