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WELLINGTON: New Zealand recorded its first death from COVID-19 in more than three months on Friday (September 4) when a man in his 50s succumbed to the virus.
Health officials said the man was part of a cluster of second-wave infections that emerged in Auckland last month, ending a 102-day period of no community transmission in the South Pacific nation.
The death at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital on Friday afternoon brings the death toll from coronavirus to 23 in New Zealand, with the most recent previous death on May 24.
READ: New Zealand to maintain COVID-19 measures nationwide until mid-September, says Prime Minister Ardern
“I acknowledge the anxiety New Zealanders may be feeling about today’s news, both in the community at large and for the family and whanau (relatives) who are mourning this death,” Chief of Health Ashley Bloomfield said in a release.
“Our thoughts are with his family and community in this time of loss and grief.”
The Auckland group grew out of a family of four and has since grown to 152, including three registered on Friday.
It has proven difficult to break despite a two-and-a-half week lockdown in Auckland that ended on Sunday night.
“We have always recognized that more COVID-19 related deaths were possible,” said Bloomfield.
READ: COVID-19 pandemic review panel to ask ‘tough questions’, WHO files open, say co-chairs
“Today’s news reinforces the importance of our shared vigilance against COVID-19, the dire consequences that the virus can bring.”
While Auckland residents were allowed to leave their homes this week, the government limited non-school social gatherings in the city to 1.5 million people and made masks mandatory on public transport throughout the country.
Health authorities said earlier on Friday, before the latest death was announced, that the restriction would remain in effect until at least September 16.
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