New Zealand Reaches 100-Day Milestone without Virus Transmission

New Zealand marked 100 days on Sunday, with no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the population, but health authorities cautioned that there was little scope for complacency.

There are still 23 open incidents, but all of them were identified at the border before they reached the country and are held in controlled isolation facilities. "Achieving 100 days without population transmission is a huge achievement, but as we all know, we can't afford to be complacent," said Ashley Bloomfield, director-general of health, reports AFP.   

"We have seen overseas how quickly the virus can re-emerge and spread in places where it was previously under control, and we need to be prepared to quickly stamp out any future cases in New Zealand."

New Zealand, with a population of five million, has gained universal acclaim for its successful control of coronavirus since the closing of its boundaries on 19 March.

The World Health Organization has hailed the country as an example to others for having "successfully eliminated community transmission".

Since the first patient was identified in February, there have been 1,219 reported cases of the virus in New Zealand, with the last population transmission documented on May 1.

As a result, New Zealanders experience a near-normal, pre-coronavirus lifestyle with little social barrier and spectators permitted to engage in sporting and cultural activities, albeit with a tightly regulated boundary and all entrants expected to spend 14 days in quarantine.

The government has maintained the prospect of a second wave remains a possibility and is pushing for all households to keep emergency supply kits including masks.