New Zealand records first coronavirus outbreak in 102 days
New Zealand has recorded its first locally transmitted coronavirus cases in 102 days.
Four positive coronavirus tests have been reported in one family from an unknown source.
The only positive cases New Zealand had recorded in the past 102 days had been in quarantine facilities from people coming into the country from overseas.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a temporary lockdown would be implemented in Auckland, which has a 1.6m population, to allow health officials to “assess the situation”.
Only essential workers will be allowed to leave their homes for the time being.
“We are asking people in Auckland to stay home to stop the spread,” she said.
“Act as if you have Covid, and as if the people around you have Covid.”
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The first person to test positive was a 50-year-old Auckland man, who returned two positive swabs.
It was then discovered that his wife and two children had also contracted the virus.
The man displayed Covid-like symptoms for five days prior to the test, sparking fears he may have spread the virus even further.
“We have not yet been able to determine the source of these cases, there is no known link to hotel quarantine,” Ardern said.
“One of the most important lessons we have learned from overseas is to go hard at this…in line with our precautionary approach, we will be asking Aucklanders to take swift lockdown.”
New Zealand had been lauded for its coronavirus response, after it recorded just 22 deaths from the disease.
Ireland, which has a similar population to New Zealand, in comparison had more than 1,200 deaths.