NO patients are in hospital with Covid-19 in New Zealand for the first time since the country went into lockdown, the country’s director general of health has revealed.
Ashley Bloomfield said there were also no new recorded cases of coronavirus today for the fifth day in a row.
Just 21 active coronavirus cases remain in the country, which has a population of less than five million people.
Earlier this week the country’s Ministry of Health said it could eliminate Covid-19 if there are no new cases for at least 28 days and strong border control measures are continued.
READ MORE: Covid-19: Shocking video shows how UK and New Zealand differed
Since the beginning of the outbreak New Zealand has record 1504 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases and 21 deaths. According to the UK Government there have been 265,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, and more than 37,000 deaths – however the ONS has said the death toll is closer to 45,000.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has received widespread praise for her handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Last week people in New Zealand were able to go to beaches and parks, allowed to meet in cafes and restaurants – and they can even hug after Bloomfield said careful cuddling with family members or close friends would be acceptable.
Ardern imposed harsh restrictions seven weeks ago including closing the borders, no travelling by car unless for food or medicines, and no meeting with friends or family.
She has been vocal in her criticism of other countries’ “herd immunity” theories.
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