New Zealand’s sharp response to a cluster of cases contrasts with the uncertainties surrounding Boris Johnson’s plans
It’s not clear where the infection came from. But after 102 consecutive days without a single locally transmitted coronavirus case, a household cluster of four cases was discovered in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday. The government responded swiftly and decisively. A three-day lockdown was imposed on Auckland, while further testing and intensive contact tracing was conducted. Thirteen individuals linked to the initial household cluster have subsequently tested positive for the virus.
The emergence of these new cases is a sign of how difficult it is to eliminate Covid-19, even in a small, sparsely populated island nation with a border that has been mostly closed, and where people who enter the country are subject to rigorous testing and quarantine. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, voiced her disappointment, but many New Zealanders were likely relieved to observe the manner in which their health system quickly identified new infections and implemented actions that will likely prevent this cluster of cases from escalating into a major outbreak.
Continue reading…New Zealand’s sharp response to a cluster of cases contrasts with the uncertainties surrounding Boris Johnson’s plansCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageIt’s not clear where the infection came from. But after 102 consecutive days without a single locally transmitted coronavirus case, a household cluster of four cases was discovered in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday. The government responded swiftly and decisively. A three-day lockdown was imposed on Auckland, while further testing and intensive contact tracing was conducted. Thirteen individuals linked to the initial household cluster have subsequently tested positive for the virus.The emergence of these new cases is a sign of how difficult it is to eliminate Covid-19, even in a small, sparsely populated island nation with a border that has been mostly closed, and where people who enter the country are subject to rigorous testing and quarantine. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, voiced her disappointment, but many New Zealanders were likely relieved to observe the manner in which their health system quickly identified new infections and implemented actions that will likely prevent this cluster of cases from escalating into a major outbreak. Continue reading…