New Zealand reports first death from Delta variant of Covid-19

New Zealand reports first death from Delta variant of Covid-19

    04-Sep-2021   
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This woman who died was in her 90s and had a number of underlying health conditions.

On Saturday, New Zealand reported the first death from the Delta variant of the new Coronavirus and a few other daily infections, all in Auckland, the centre of the outbreak.

The woman who died was in her 90s and was having several underlying health conditions, a statement said. It is the first Covid-related death here since mid-February.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in the statement, “Every death is a reminder of the damage Covid-19 can cause when it gets into our community. Our older New Zealanders and those with underlying health issues are by far the most at risk from the virus and one of the reasons lockdowns are such an important tool to stop its spread."

New Zealand is breaking the chain of transmission of the highly communicable Delta variant.

About 1.7 million people in Auckland (the largest city in New Zealand), have been in strict level 4 lockdown since August. Curbs have now eased in the rest of the countries but schools and offices as well as cafe, restaurants and all public places are to remain shut. Citizens have been asked to stay indoors.

Active cases of the current outbreak are 782. 765 of these are in Auckland and 17 in Wellington, which is the capital.