Skip to main content

New Zealand confirms first coronavirus case


Passengers arriving at Auckland International Airport


New Zealand confirmed its first coronavirus case Friday, saying a recent arrival from Iran who travelled to Auckland via Bali had tested positive.
Health officials said the person, aged in their 60s, was being treated in Auckland City Hospital.
“They are in an improving condition in isolation, in a negative pressure room to prevent any spread of the disease,” the health department said in a statement.
Officials said the person, reportedly a female New Zealand citizen, arrived in Auckland on Wednesday and family members went to the hospital after becoming concerned about the individual’s condition.
The officials urged any passengers on Wednesday’s final leg of the Emirates airline journey, which goes from Bali to Auckland, to contact authorities if they were concerned.
However, authorities downplayed the risk to the public saying the situation was being well managed.
“Although we have our first case of Covid-19, the chances of community outbreak remain low,” the statement said.
Earlier, health minister David Clark said New Zealand was introducing strict travel bans on arrivals from Iran similar to those already imposed on arrivals from China.
He said the action was taken after a spike in infections in Iran, where the virus has killed 26 people, the highest death toll outside China – and because of the unreliable information coming out of the Islamic republic.
“Obviously this situation in Iran is concerning, there is ongoing spread of the disease there and a large degree of uncertainty about the scale of the outbreak and the ability to contain it,” he told reporters.
“The information that’s coming out of Iran appears to be out of step with what’s coming out of other countries in terms of the death rate per incidence.”

Since you're here...

… we have a small favour to ask. More people, like you, are reading and supporting the Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism than ever before. And unlike many news organisations, we made the choice to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay.
The Guardian will engage with the most critical issues of our time – from the escalating climate catastrophe to widespread inequality to the influence of big tech on our lives. At a time when factual information is a necessity, we believe that each of us, around the world, deserves access to accurate reporting with integrity at its heart.
Our editorial independence means we set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. Guardian journalism is free from commercial and political bias and not influenced by billionaire owners or shareholders. This means we can give a voice to those less heard, explore where others turn away, and rigorously challenge those in power.
We hope you will consider supporting us today. We need your support to keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. 
































Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dozens killed after gunmen attack Kabul ceremony

The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack on the gathering marking the anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, an ethnic Hazara leader who was killed by Taliban fighters in 1995 after being taken prisoner [Anadolu] The death toll in an attack on a Kabul ceremony  marking the anniversary of a slain minority leader has risen to  27, a ministry of health spokesman said on Friday. "Twenty-seven bodies and 29 wounded transported by ... ambulance so far," Wahidullah Mayar, the health ministry spokesman, told Reuters, adding that the number could increase. Gunmen attacked the ceremony in the Afghan capital where a top Afghan political leader, Abdullah Abdullah, was present but escaped unharmed. "The attack started with a boom, apparently a rocket landed in the area, Abdullah and some other politicians ... escaped the attack unhurt," Fraidoon Kwazoon, Abdullah's spokesman, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. President Ashraf Ghani cond
Post a Comment
Read more

How firms are stamping out fake goods with high tech labels

Every working hour, about 80,000 bottles of beer are processed through the East African Breweries Ltd (EABL)   production line at the Ruaraka factory. An almost equal number of cans is processed on a parallel line. However, not even one of the bottles or cans can leave the factory before it has been affixed with the Kenya Revenue Authority’s excise duty and the Kenya Bureau of Standard stamps. Each of the two security stamps tells a story; one says that the brewer has paid excise tax while the other assures consumers that the quality of the product has been tested and certified as fit for human consumption. One has an implication on public good while the other has direct import on public health and safety. These twin messages are at the very heart of every security stamp affixed on any product made or sold in Kenya. The stamps, just like the security marks affixed on identity cards, passports, title deeds and other important documents as well as products meant for publ
Post a Comment
Read more

Ighalo among loanees in limbo after corona pandemic halts season

London, Monday The January transfer window brought with it hopes of a fresh start for players and clubs who had struggled to make their mark in the first half of the season.  A host of high profile names completed temporary moves as they sought to impress both their parent clubs and new employers ahead of potential summer moves.   But none of them had expected a global pandemic to block their path as they dusted down their boots and prepared to inject new life into their careers.  Odion Ighalo There’s nothing worse than watching a Hollywood story unfold in front of your eyes and then being denied the ending.  Ighalo, a childhood United fan, completed a shock loan move to Old Trafford on deadline day having spent the previous two years playing his football in China.  Ighalo made it out of China and just before the country put in place a lockdown to halt the spread of coronavirus, while the striker didn’t travel to United’s winter training camp in Spain in case he wasn
Post a Comment
Read more