Asia/South Asia
4 years ago

New Zealand sees no Covid-19 case for 5th straight day

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New Zealand reported no new Covid-19 case on Monday for the fifth consecutive day after managing isolation and quarantine facilities.

The health ministry of the country said the number of currently active cases is 21 in the country, reports UNB citing Xinhua.

It has been 101 days since the last Covid-19 case was acquired locally from an unknown source, according to the country.

Two additional cases are reported as having recovered. The ministry said in a statement that there are 21 active cases in managed isolation facilities.

New Zealand's total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains at 1,219, the ministry said, adding there is no one currently requiring hospital-level care for Covid-19.

"We've now crossed 100 days without community transmission, but testing remains one of the best ways to ensure there's no undetected community transmission in New Zealand. We need everyone to play their part in that," the statement noted.

"While Covid-19 continues around the world, New Zealand cannot be complacent," it said, adding, "Every New Zealander needs to be prepared for the virus to re-emerge."

The ministry continues to recommend households add masks to their earthquake emergency kits, as part of New Zealand's ongoing response to Covid-19, and assures the public "there will sufficient masks for everyone."

New Zealand has been praised globally for its handling of the pandemic. The government has lifted almost all of its lockdown restrictions, first imposed in March.

An early lockdown, tough border restrictions, effective health messaging and an aggressive test-and-trace programme have all been credited with virtually eliminating the virus in the country.

But officials have warned against complacency, saying a second wave of cases was still possible.

"Achieving 100 days without community transmission is a significant milestone. However, as we all know, we can't afford to be complacent," Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, said on Sunday.

"We have seen overseas how quickly the virus can re-emerge and spread in places where it was previously under control, and we need to be prepared to quickly stamp out any future cases in New Zealand."

New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, struck a similar tone, expressing delight tempered with caution.

The landmark "doesn't lessen any of the risk" of another spike in infections, Ms Ardern said.

"One hundred days is a milestone to mark but, again, we still need to be vigilant regardless," she added.

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