New Zealand reports 2 new cases of COVID-19

15 July


New Zealand reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases in the country to 27, according to the Ministry of Health.


It has been 75 days since the last case of COVID-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source. The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country is now 1,197.


Wednesday's first case was a man in his 60s who arrived in New Zealand on July 10 from Pakistan via Dubai. He was staying at the Sudima Hotel in Rotorua and tested positive around the third day of his time in managed isolation.


The second case was a woman in her 50s who arrived on the same day from Dublin via Dubai.


Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivered a speech on Wednesday, setting out plans in the event of a new case of community transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand.


"COVID is now exploding outside our borders and every country we have sought to replicate or have drawn from in the fight against COVID has now experienced further community outbreaks," Ardern said.


The prime minister cited experts as saying that even with the best precautions possible, the chances of the virus passing from a surface, or contact with someone who is a carrier are high.


There is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19, and the number of COVID-19 related deaths was 22, according to the health ministry.


xinhua