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New Zealand on Saturday reported its first death from the Delta variant of the new coronavirus and 20 daily infections, all of which occurred in Auckland, the epicenter of the outbreak.
Health officials said in a statement that the deceased was in his 90s and had multiple underlying health problems. This is the country’s first coronavirus-related death since mid-February.
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“Every death reminds us of the damage Covid-19 can cause when it enters our community,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement.
“So far, our elderly New Zealanders and those with underlying health problems are most susceptible to the virus. This is one of the reasons why the lockdown is an important tool to stop the spread of the virus.”
New Zealand appears to be breaking the chain of transmission of highly infectious delta variants, and Saturday’s figures support the downward trend that has occurred in recent days.
Since mid-August, approximately 1.7 million people in Auckland, the country’s largest city, have been under strict Level 4 lockdown. Restrictions in other countries have been relaxed, but schools and offices, as well as cafes, restaurants and all public places are still closed. Most New Zealanders are required to stay indoors.
The current number of active cases of the epidemic is 782, including 765 in Auckland and 17 in Wellington, the capital.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, New Zealand is a country with a population of 5 million and has reported 3,392 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 27 related deaths.
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