The Ministry of Health of New Zealand confirmed that its final patient showed no symptoms of the COVID-19 cases and was released from isolation, making the island nation coronavirus free.
The final case was a woman from Auckland, who was in her 50s and was associated with the St Margaret’s rest home in Auckland.
Today we can announce that there are now no active cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand! Read our full update at https://t.co/YYbSSBzUJC pic.twitter.com/GEMQ1QghgA
— Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (@minhealthnz) June 8, 2020
This is the first time since 28th February that New Zealand has no active cases of COVID-19. The last reported new case of the coronavirus was on 22nd May.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern confirmed to reporters at a news conference that from 8th June, the country would move to National Alert Level 1. This means that all public and private events in the nation can resume as normal. Moreover, public transport can resume and retail and hospitality sectors can function as regular. In this alert level, social distancing is encouraged but is not mandatory.
However, considering that the situation in the rest of then world is not as positive, New Zealand’s international borders will remain closed.
“There’s no denying this is a milestone,” Ardern said. “Thank you, New Zealand.”
However, she did warn her citizens that the nation could see some cases in the near future.
“We will almost certainly see cases here again. That is not a sign we have failed,” Ms Ardern said. She did encourage her citizens to follow the protocols and adhere to social distancing norms.
Isn’t it fantastic news that the island nation has claimed victory over this deadly pandemic? We hope that very soon, the world itself will be coronavirus free!
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