The SMC asked experts
to comment on the study.
Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Senior
Research Fellow, Department of Public Health, University of
Otago, Wellington, comments:
“It’s encouraging to
see such a low number of previously-undiagnosed cases. It
does support the evidence from other data sources such as
community testing, which have consistently shown low rates
of positive tests. So far there’s been no indication that
Aotearoa New Zealand has experienced large undetected
outbreaks in the community.
“It’s likely that the
overall percentage of missed cases is higher than indicated
by this study. As the authors are of course aware, people
Covid 19 coronavirus: Blood survey suggests eight previously undiagnosed cases in NZ
21 Apr, 2021 10:45 PM
4 minutes to read
The cleaner who tested positive for Covid-19 worked on both Green and Red zone planes on the same day. Video / Mark Mitchell
The cleaner who tested positive for Covid-19 worked on both Green and Red zone planes on the same day. Video / Mark Mitchell
Scientists have analysed nearly 10,000 blood samples to suggest there s been extremely few undetected cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand.
The study, just released online ahead of peer review, has also offered a useful new baseline for the coming mass roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Blood survey finds eight previously undetected cases in NZ
21 Apr, 2021 10:45 PM
4 minutes to read
The cleaner who tested positive for Covid-19 worked on both Green and Red zone planes on the same day. Video / Mark Mitchell
The cleaner who tested positive for Covid-19 worked on both Green and Red zone planes on the same day. Video / Mark Mitchell
Scientists have analysed nearly 10,000 blood samples to suggest there s been extremely few undetected cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand.
The study, just released online ahead of peer review, has also offered a useful new baseline for the coming mass roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine.
Business Scoop » Blood Testing Finds Undiagnosed Covid Cases In NZ – Expert Reaction scoop.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scoop.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The vaccine has also been found to be 100 per cent effective against severe diseases, as defined by the CDC, and 95.3 per cent effective against severe cases of Covid-19 as defined by the FDA. However, there is still a “small proportion” of people who may get the virus. Murdoch said this is fairly typical of vaccines against any disease, as “there is no perfect vaccine”. However, effectiveness rates of the Covid-19 vaccines are “at the higher end of any vaccine we have”. While it was “not necessarily a surprise” that a vaccinated person could still contract Covid-19, it was an “uncommon event”, Murdoch said.