[ad_1]
All community cases in New Zealand’s second Covid-19 outbreak have recovered, with the health minister saying the virus has been “squashed.”
The news comes when the Ministry of Health announced that three new cases of the virus were detected in controlled isolation on Wednesday.
The ministry said all patients from the recent Auckland outbreak have recovered and there are no active cases left in the community.
“The Auckland August cluster will be officially closed when there are no new cases for two incubation periods since all cases were completely isolated,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
READ MORE:
* Face masks are no longer required on Air New Zealand flights at alert level 1
* Covid-19: Experts wanted some restrictions to be maintained when Auckland lowers alert levels
* New Zealand has just sealed its third Covid-19 outbreak
Two incubation periods for the virus are four weeks or 28 days.
All six community cases were last active on Tuesday.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins said the absence of active community cases was a “huge milestone.”
“New Zealanders have once again crushed the virus through their collective actions.”
But he also warned the country not to become complacent.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
On Tuesday three cases of coronavirus were detected in controlled isolation. (File photo)
“This is very good news, but as always, we cannot remain calm. Constant vigilance and teamwork, with everyone playing their part to make sure we are aware of the virus, should be our new normal for some time to come. “
Hipkins said 186 community cases of coronavirus have been reported since Aug. 11: 179 people linked to the Auckland August group, six people linked to the Christchurch returnee group and the worker at the managed isolation facility in Rydges.
“The August group from Auckland has been the largest by some margin, and it has required considerable effort from the entire healthcare system, and from all New Zealanders, to contain this outbreak so quickly,” he said.
Two of the new cases announced on Wednesday arrived from Ethiopia via Dubai on September 23. They have been in controlled isolation at the Ibis in Hamilton and tested positive for the virus around day 12.
The third case came from Dubai on September 29. They were in controlled isolation at the Four Points Hotel and were transferred to the Auckland Quarantine Facility, Jet Park, after obtaining a positive test result.
Nine previously reported cases have been recovered, including the remaining six active cases from the community.
It means that the total number of active New Zealand cases is now 37, all coming from managed isolation.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the country is 1505.
A person remains in a ward at Middlemore Hospital with the virus.
On Tuesday, the labs processed 5,334 tests, bringing the total completed to date to 990,973.
The news comes as Auckland prepares to move to alert level 1 at 11:59 pm on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the move on Monday, saying there was a 95 percent chance the virus had been eliminated in the community.
Auckland’s change in alert levels means the same rules will apply across the country.
Meeting size restrictions will be lifted and masks will no longer be necessary on public transportation, although they will continue to be recommended.
Speaking Monday, Ardern urged people to remain vigilant to get tested if they feel ill, and said complacency was as big of a concern as the virus.
Three cases were detected in an isolated managed manner on Tuesday.
