Day Thirty-four; First day at Level 3

I didn't actually notice any major difference from a week ago. There were a few more cars on the road; others who travelled later said that there was obviously more traffic. The routine at the unit was unchanged. We do have more patients in the wards, and there may be more issues with an absence of spare Mental Health Intensive Care beds in the next few days. I'll need to concentrate on encouraging movement out of that ward.

After I got home I went for another jog; shorter than yesterday. Felt please with how it went. In normal days, this would have been peak traffic time with nose to tail traffic heading away from the city. Today there's about the same number of vehicles heading back into the city. I guess it will all build up over the next two weeks at this new level, which has minimally reduced the Lockdown

After five new cases yesterday, there were only three today. Most of the cases are confirmed as linked to overseas travel and/or one of the events or clusters. Widespread community transmission is not obvious, leading the Ministry of Health to talk of elimination. 

Elimination doesn't mean eradication; the latter means no virus in New Zealand. Apparently elimination doesn't mean the same. It means that there are few cases and we know where they came from. It does look hopeful for a further easing from Level 3 to Level 2 in two weeks. Even then there will be a ban on large gatherings. But at least then I should be able to see my mokopuna. Seeing the grandchildren only by Zoom leaves a need to be satisfied in a few weeks.