Health experts are warning people to be wary and prepare for the fast-moving COVID-19 pandemic wave sweeping through New Zealand.
With Christmas on the horizon, and a holiday period likely filled with gatherings and activities - a group of experts are warning people to take action, get boosted and watch out around the elderly.
University of Otago's Professor Michael Baker predicts the pandemic wave will have an impact on a large number of Kiwis this summer.
"The cumulative effect is likely to be approximately 1,000 deaths and 12,000 hospitalisations," he said.
"This pattern of recurring large waves of COVID-19 infection is a wake-up call for the NZ Government about the importance of a vigorous national strategy and programme to protect us from COVID-19 and other serious respiratory infections."
However, he said there are ways people can protect themselves heading into Christmas.
"Taking precautions such as vaccination, self-isolation when sick, organising well-ventilated gatherings, and using masks in crowded indoor spaces," he recommended.
University of Canterbury's Professor Michael Plank described the pandemic as "bad news".
"The JN.1 variant, which is probably the fastest growing variant we've seen this year, could prolong or increase the size of the wave," Prof Plank said.
"Covid-19 has not yet become seasonal in the way influenza is, but it is settling into a more regular cycle of peaks and troughs."
"If you're over 30 and it's been more than 6 months since your last vaccine, you may be eligible for another booster," he said. "Now is a good time to get one to reduce the risk of Covid ruining your summer holidays."
"If you don't feel well, it's better to stay home than to risk spreading COVID or other nasty viruses, especially if you are seeing elderly relatives over the holiday period."
University of Otago's Senior Lecturer Dr Lesley Gray highlighted the wave is hitting the country at the same time many Kiwis are overdue/due for booster vaccinations.
She said the variant is a decedent of Omicron, and has concerns it could be more transmittable than earlier variants.
"Symptoms seem to be commonly a raised temperature, runny nose, headache, loss of sense of smell, and some people might get diarrhoea/stomach cramps with it," Dr Gray said.
She admitted New Zealand is lucky to have Christmas and New Year during the summertime, as it will "hopefully help keep a lid on this new variant".
Gray recommends people who are eligible and haven't yet been vaccinated to "pop it on your Christmas list" and make it a priority.
However, University of Canterbury's Associate Professor Arindam Basu believes the number of COVID-19 patients is likely to rise heading into the festive season, "partly due to the indoor gatherings in poorly ventilated places and holiday travels".
"Vaccinations, masking, RAT tests and where possible, avoiding mass gatherings are still our best bets."
