New Zealand: As Last Infected Person Recovers, Country Completely Wipes Out Coronavirus

New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday (8 June) her country had completely eradicated the coronavirus as the last infected patient there recovered, The Indian Express reported.

“We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, but elimination is not a point in time, it is a sustained effort,“ she said at a news conference.

According to PM Ardern, New Zealand had not reported any new COVID-19 case in last 17 days, while on Monday it was the first occasion since late February when the country had no active cases.

The PM also informed about the Cabinet’s decision of allowing another phase of reopening the country, starting midnight.

However, PM Ardern admitted that new cases are likely to surface in the country and asked people to be ready.

“We almost certainly will see cases here again, and I do want to say again, we will almost certainly see cases here again, and that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus. But if and when that occurs we have to make sure and we are, that we are prepared,” she said.

New Zealand reported a total of 1,500 positive cases of COVID-19, out of which 22 people lost their lives.