New Zealand clears its last COVID-19 case
08 June, 2020
New Zealand does not have any active COVID-19 cases after the country's final patient was presented with the all clear and released from isolation, health authorities said Monday.
The milestone was "excellent news" and an achievement the complete of New Zealand could take heart from, health department director-general Ashley Bloomfield said.
"Having no active cases for the very first time since February 28 is obviously a significant mark inside our journey but, as we've previously said, ongoing vigilance against COVID-19 will still be essential," he said in a statement.
New Zealand has won praise because of its handling of the pandemic, which involved a strict seven-week lockdown that ended last month following the virus was contained.
The South Pacific nation, with a population of five million, has already established 1,154 confirmed cases and 22 deaths.
There were no new infections for 17 days and, until Monday, just one single active case for more than a week.
Details of the ultimate patient weren't released for privacy reasons nonetheless it is believed to be a woman aged in her 50s who was associated with a cluster at an Auckland nursing home.
"[The] remaining case has been symptom-free for 48 hours and is regarded as recovered. The person has been released from isolation," medical department said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to announce later Monday that New Zealand will this week proceed to alert Level 1, the cheapest rating on its four-tier virus response system.
Beneath the change, international border restrictions will stay in place however the final domestic curbs -- such as for example limits on public gatherings and mandatory social distancing -- will be removed.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
TAG(s):