Coronavirus: New Zealand sees no new infections over last 24 hours and zero patients in hospital

Ministry of health says there are only 45 active cases of coronavirus in New Zealand

New Zealand reports zero coronavirus cases (EPA/ Michael Bradley / Pool Pool)

New Zealand has once again reported no new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, with most of its total of 1,871 patients now considered to have recovered. The country has only recorded 25 Covid-19-related deaths so far. 

The ministry of health of New Zealand said there were only 45 active cases of coronavirus in the country on Monday, and that none of them had required hospitalisation. The ministry also said that all 45 of the active were imported, rather than spread domestically within the country. 

The last recorded case of Covid-19 came on Sunday, and involved a young girl arriving from India who has been in isolation since then. The patient is connected to two contacts who previously tested positive. 

Jacinda Ardern announced in June that the country had “eliminated the transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now ”, but in August new cases again entered double figures and included an element of community transmission. Cases have dropped off again since, however, and no new clusters have been found.

New Zealand has conducted over a million Covid-19 tests so far, covering almost one-fourth of the population. The country imposed systematic lockdown restrictions in March when the initial cases were reported and continued with it until June. 

New Zealand's biggest city Auckland also lifted restrictions on gatherings and social distancing on Wednesday last week, joining the rest of the country. New Zealand is widely considered to have been one of the most successful countries in dealing with the pandemic so far, and the Ardern government’s efforts have received praise around the world. The country goes to the polls in a general election later this month, with Ms Ardern a firm favourite to remain as prime minister.