Pacific households in New Zealand are being reminded about the risks the delta variant of Covid-19 can have on their vulnerable and younger people.
Dr Collin Tukuitonga. Photo: RNZ / Screenshot
Pasifika Medical Association member Dr Collin Tukuitonga underlined the importance of household's using masks, washing hands and following lockdown rules.
He said examples of Fiji and Australia showed just how infectious and dangerous the delta variant is.
"Forty percent of pacific households are multi-generational meaning parents, grandparents and adult children live in the same house."
Urging communities to take lockdown seriously, Dr Tukuitonga said people should feel encouraged and reassured by the government's lockdown swift approach.
He explained that Pacific peoples were the most at risk to the virus, and should be vigilant, noting that one case of the delta-variant could infect up to nine people and it spreads much faster.
"Covid-19 tends to affect people with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, obesity and respiratory conditions.
"Our communities have those underlying conditions which puts them at a higher risk so that's why it is of a particular concern for us."
He said wearing masks in public, washing and sanitizing hands, social distancing and using the COVID Tracer app were essential.