The outbreak of New Zealand’s COVID-19 Delta is spreading rapidly as cases jump

WELLINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) – New Zealand on Tuesday saw its highest increase in COVID-19 cases since April 2020, as authorities warned that this current outbreak of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, highly infectious, it was like treating a completely new virus.

The virus-free execution of the South Pacific nation since February ended last week after an outbreak of the Delta variant erupted in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, and quickly spread to the capital. Wellington.

Authorities reported 41 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total to 148 infections in the country, health director general Ashley Bloomfield said at a news conference. This was the largest increase in cases since April 10, 2020, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

Of the new cases, 38 are in Auckland and three in Wellington. So far, eight people associated with the current outbreak are in hospital, the ministry said.

“Delta is different from our previous experience. It is, as we know, highly infectious and transmissible and, as we have seen, spreads rapidly,” Bloomfield said at a news conference.

But he said it was reassuring to see that the numbers were not increasing exponentially and that most were still in Auckland.

CHURCH CLUSTER

Authorities reported a group of at least 58 people of Samoan ethnicity and linked to the Samoan church of the Assembly of God in Auckland.

The health ministry said there were unfortunately racist comments directed at the community.

“The problem is the virus, not the people,” the ministry said on Twitter.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has garnered worldwide praise for eliminating COVID-19 in the country.

But its reliance on strict border controls and rapid closures that have affected the economy has been called into question amid the latest outbreak, which occurred while few people were vaccinated. Read more

On Monday, Ardern extended the strict national level 4 blockade until August 27th.

In neighboring Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is also under increasing pressure from rising COVID-19 cases, said the removal cannot be pursued forever, setting New Zealand as an example.

“Any state and territory that thinks they can somehow protect themselves from COVID with the Delta Stump forever is absurd,” he told the 9News Today breakfast program.

“I mean, New Zealand can’t do that. They were following an elimination strategy. They’re blocked. The way is to reach those 70% and 80% (vaccination) marks, open them safely,” he said.

Praveen Menon Reports; Edited by Himani Sarkar and Christian Schmollinger

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