Dawn chorus: Two more in community
Aucklanders in community for 13 days after leaving Pullman Hotel with Covid-19, despite testing negative twice; Global stocks fall ahead of big US Federal Reserve news on monetary stimulus due at 8am
TLDR: Officials confirmed late last night two more people from the Pullman Hotel in Auckland appeared to catch Covid-19 late in their stay, initially tested negative, and then were released into the community almost two weeks ago. They visited 12 locations while in the community and have now been put back in quarantine, although it’s still seen as possible their infections are historic. Their close contacts are being tested and the genomes of the positive tests are being tracked.
Overseas overnight, stock markets fell around 1% after Boeing posted a big loss and investors nervous about bubble talk waited for the US Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy decision due at 8am. It is expected to signal continued stimulus for longer to try to rev up inflation beyond its 2% target to ensure the US economy reaches ‘escape velocity’. Also in another sign of hardening borders and nationalism, the EU is demanding tens of millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines made in AstraZeneca’s British factories be diverted to Europe.
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Have a great day
Kia Kite ano
Bernard
PS: Many thanks to Marc for his great Kaka pic today.