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Coronavirus latest: New Zealand records new community cases after 102 days; Philippines accepts Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine offer
- Auckland to go into lockdown after four people from same household with no history of international travel test positive
- Meanwhile in the Philippines, Duterte has accepted Russia’s offer of its Covid-19 vaccine, while Indonesia is carrying out human trials of a Chinese vaccine
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New Zealand orders Auckland back in lockdown after first local Covid-19 cases in 102 days
New Zealand orders Auckland back in lockdown after first local Covid-19 cases in 102 days
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday said authorities had confirmed four cases of the coronavirus in an Auckland household from an unknown source, the first reported cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield, the Director General of Health, said a person in their 50s went to their doctor on Monday with symptoms and was swabbed twice, testing positive both times.
Six other people in the person’s household were then tested, with three more positive results. “Importantly, the person has no history of overseas travel,” Bloomfield said.
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Auckland, the nation’s largest city, will be moved to Alert Level 3, or a near full lockdown, from noon on Wednesday through midnight on Friday, Ardern said.
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People will have to stay at home, and many businesses including bars will be shut during that period.
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