Kia ora,

 

Thank you for your Official Information Act (the Act) request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.

 

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. We
will endeavour to acknowledge your request as soon as possible. Further
information about COVID-19 can be found on our
website: [1]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...

 

In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [2]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

If you have any questions while we're processing your request, please let
us know via [3][email address]

 

Ngā mihi  

OIA Services Team  

   

[4]Ministry of Health information releases  

[5]Unite against COVID-19 

 

 

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5. https://covid19.govt.nz/

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Kia ora Annie,

 

Thank you for your request for official information received on 26
November 2021 for:

 

“I’m trying to figure out how you can determine that the gunshot victim
died from Covid-19.

The only possible criteria he fits into is below (as per your answer to my
FYI request, Informed Consent #8 - Natural Death Rates).

“The cause of death is determined from an assessment of the patient’s
clinical condition at the time of death.

If the patient never recovered from the acute severe respiratory syndrome
caused by COVID-19 the cause of death will be the infection from
COVID-19.”

Question: Can you please confirm that this is the criteria you used to
determine that a person who was killed by a bullet was recorded officially
as killed by Covid-19.”

 

A secondary request for official information was received on 28 November
2021 for:

 

“What do you do with the genetic material you collect from each person for
PCR test purposes.

Is the information kept or destroyed?

If it's destroyed then how long after you receive the genetic material?

If it's kept then where is it kept?

And who has access to it?

Do you use it for any other purposes than screening for Covid-19?

Who is responsible for safeguarding this process?”

 

The Ministry of Health has consolidated your requests under reference
number: H202116854.

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 24 December 2021, being
20 working days after the day your first request was received.

 

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [1][email address]

 

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Tçnâ koe Annie,

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 26 November 2021. I will
respond to each part of your request in turn.

 

Can you please confirm that this is the criteria you used to determine
that a person who was killed by a bullet was recorded officially as killed
by Covid-19.

 

This information is held by the coroner. Please note that coroners are
independent judicial officers working in the Coroners Court with
administrative support provided by the Ministry of Justice. As an arm of
government separate from the executive (e.g., Ministers and government
departments), courts have their own rules for requesting information.
Section 2(6)(a) of the Act excludes courts from the ambit of the Act and
therefore this part of your request is refused under section 18(g) as the
information requested is not held by the Ministry or an agency subject to
the Act. More information about coroners is available at:
[1]www.coronialservices.justice.govt.nz.

 

What do you do with the genetic material you collect from each person for
PCR test purposes.

 

Is the information kept or destroyed?

 

If it's destroyed then how long after you receive the genetic material?

 

If it's kept then where is it kept?

 

And who has access to it?

 

Do you use it for any other purposes than screening for Covid-19?

 

Who is responsible for safeguarding this process?”

 

Each laboratory has its own operational process for managing samples,
including storage and disposal, in accordance to the laboratory’s scope of
accreditation. The laboratory directors/managers are responsible for the
laboratory operational protocols. Generally, laboratory processes and
accreditation requirements state that samples are only used for the
purpose it is collected for. You may wish to contact the Institute of
Environmental Science and Research (ESR) for more information. You may be
interested in the following information:

o [2]www.esr.cri.nz/our-services/testing/novel-coronavirus/
o [3]www.covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-tracing/covid-19-testing/how-testing-works/
o [4]www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/assessment-and-testing-covid-19/how-covid-19-testing-works

 

Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [5][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 

Nga mihi,

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [6][email address]

 

 

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References

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1. http://www.coronialservices.justice.govt...
2. http://www.esr.cri.nz/our-services/testi...
3. http://www.covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-t...
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[email address]

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