New Zealand marked 100 days without community transmission of COVID-19, and it is proof that a vigorous, decisive response to the pandemic can drastically curb cases.?
New Zealand has recorded 1,219 infections and 22 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.?The numbers are a drop in the ocean when compared to other countries still battling thousands of cases and deaths.? ?
From the first case in New Zealand on February 26 to the last one detected on May 1, elimination of the virus took 65 days.?
"Achieving 100 days without community transmission is a significant milestone, however, as we all know, we can't afford to be complacent," Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said.
"We have seen overseas how quickly the virus can re-emerge and spread in places where it was previously and we tobe prepared to quickly stamp out any future cases in New Zealand," he added.?
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In the last three months, the only cases have been in residents who have returned from abroad, who have then been quarantined upon re-entry, reports The Independent.?
The milestone comes as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, launched her re-election campaign on Saturday, announcing that it would be a ¡°COVID election.¡±
New Zealand¡¯s elimination strategy?for COVID-19 has drawn the world's attention, and the New England Journal of Medicine just?published?a paper on the same.? ?
While other countries might differ from New Zealand in terms of topography, population density and other factors that might hinder them from replicating the country's success, there are quite a few lessons to be learnt from its management of the pandemic.
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