Two of the three new Covid-19 instances that despatched the New Zealand metropolis of Auckland into lockdown are confirmed to be variant of the virus first detected within the UK.
The three native Covid-19 instances introduced on Sunday are a mom, father and daughter from the identical South Auckland family, Director-Normal of Well being Dr. Ashley Bloomfield stated Sunday at a information convention. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated one of many trio works in a facility that does the laundry for airways.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff advised CNN authorities consider the person’s employment could also be “the connection” to the virus.
These instances prompted authorities to enact a three-day lockdown for all of Auckland, a metropolis of about 1.5 million folks and the nation’s largest inhabitants heart, beginning Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
“We’ve been coping with extra transmissible variations, mutations of Covid-19. We’re eager to be very cautious. In order that’s why we have taken this very cautious strategy,” Ardern stated. “What we would like folks to do is keep residence. And so for the subsequent 72 hours should you’re in Auckland, please keep residence.”
Goff stated New Zealand has discovered success containing the virus when authorities “go strongly and go early.”
“The federal government made the choice, consulting with us in Auckland, that we should always reply in the identical means this time,” he stated. “So after a lovely weekend of watching the America’s Cup yacht races, and other people having fun with the sunshine and the seashores and the parks and on the festivals, out of the blue we’re in a 72-hour lockdown.”
Goff stated 6,000 to 7,000 folks will now be examined for the virus, and if these checks come again clear, authorities could possibly elevate the brand new stringent measures.
No new instances have been reported Monday, the nation’s Ministry of Well being stated in an announcement
