Jump to content

COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
expand (edit conflict)
Line 48: Line 48:
On 6 March, the Ministry of Health said that eight people from New Zealand had been passengers on the [[2020 coronavirus pandemic on cruise ships#Grand Princess|11–21 February cruise]] of ''[[Grand Princess]]'' from San Francisco to Mexico and back and may have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. All eight had already returned to New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/precautionary-warning-cdcp-relating-grand-princess |title=Precautionary warning from CDCP relating to the Grand Princess |publisher=Ministry of Health |date=6 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> One was a woman in her 70s who had been in hospital for a respiratory illness and was discharged and is considered a probable case.<ref name=MOH0309/>
On 6 March, the Ministry of Health said that eight people from New Zealand had been passengers on the [[2020 coronavirus pandemic on cruise ships#Grand Princess|11–21 February cruise]] of ''[[Grand Princess]]'' from San Francisco to Mexico and back and may have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. All eight had already returned to New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/precautionary-warning-cdcp-relating-grand-princess |title=Precautionary warning from CDCP relating to the Grand Princess |publisher=Ministry of Health |date=6 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> One was a woman in her 70s who had been in hospital for a respiratory illness and was discharged and is considered a probable case.<ref name=MOH0309/>


On 14 March, Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] announced that, effective 00:00 on 15 March, all travellers arriving in New Zealand from outside of the country (regardless of origin) must self-isolate for 14 days. This excludes travel from the Pacific islands unless the traveller shows signs of symptoms. In addition, restrictions will be placed on travel to the Pacific islands from New Zealand, barring travel to the region by those showing signs of coronavirus symptoms, as well as close contacts of coronavirus patients, Cruise ships will also be prohibited from docking in New Zealand until 30 June. Ardern described these as being among the "widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120279430/coronavirus-prime-minister-updates-nz-on-covid19-outbreak|title=Coronavirus: Everyone coming to New Zealand must isolate for 14 days, Prime Minister Ardern says|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2020-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12316692|title=Coronavirus: Everyone travelling to NZ from overseas to self-isolate|date=2020-03-14|work=NZ Herald|access-date=2020-03-14|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}</ref>
On 14 March, Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] announced that, effective 00:00 on 15 March, all travellers arriving in New Zealand from outside of the country (regardless of origin), everyone, including New Zealand citizens, must self-isolate for 14 days. This excludes travel from the Pacific islands unless the traveller shows signs of symptoms. In addition, restrictions will be placed on travel to the Pacific islands from New Zealand, barring travel to the region by those showing signs of coronavirus symptoms, as well as close contacts of coronavirus patients, Cruise ships will also be prohibited from docking in New Zealand until 30 June. Ardern described these as being among the "widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120279430/coronavirus-prime-minister-updates-nz-on-covid19-outbreak|title=Coronavirus: Everyone coming to New Zealand must isolate for 14 days, Prime Minister Ardern says|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2020-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12316692|title=Coronavirus: Everyone travelling to NZ from overseas to self-isolate|date=2020-03-14|work=NZ Herald|access-date=2020-03-14|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}</ref>


== Public response ==
== Public response ==

Revision as of 08:12, 14 March 2020

2020 coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
Map of regions with confirmed (red) or suspected (blue) coronavirus COVID-19 cases (as of 13 March 2020)
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationNew Zealand
First outbreakWuhan, Hubei, China
Arrival date26 February 2020
(4 years, 6 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
Confirmed cases6[1]
Suspected cases‡2[1]
Recovered0
Deaths
0
‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out.

The first known New Zealand case of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was reported on 28 February 2020. A total of 6 cases have been confirmed, with two other probable cases who had recovered before they could be tested, all in the Auckland region of the North Island.

Timeline

January 2020

On 28 January, the Ministry of Health set up the National Health Coordination Centre (NHCC) in response to the outbreak.[2] An Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Order was issued to take effect from 30 January,[3] which required health practitioners to report any suspected cases under the Health Act 1956.[4]

February 2020

On 3 February, the New Zealand Government announced that foreign travellers who left from China would be denied entry to New Zealand, with only New Zealand citizens and permanent residents and their family being allowed to enter.[5] Universities asked for the Government to exempt Chinese students who are travelling to study in New Zealand.[6][7] Foreigners who left China and spent at least 14 days in another country were permitted to enter New Zealand.[8] The ban was extended for an additional eight days on 24 February.[9]

On 4 February, the cruise ship Diamond Princess was quarantined by Japanese authorities in Yokohama after passengers were confirmed to have COVID-19.[10] Eleven New Zealanders were reported to be on board.[11] By 20 February, four New Zealand passengers had tested positive for the virus and were being treated in Japan. Two of them had been due to travel on an evacuation flight being organised by the Australian government.[12]

On 5 February, a government-chartered flight operated by Air New Zealand arrived in Auckland from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The city of Wuhan had been under lockdown since 23 January.[13] The flight carried 193 passengers, including 54 New Zealand citizens and 44 permanent residents.[14] Thirty-five Australian passengers were transferred to an Australian flight, while the remaining 157 passengers were quarantined in a military facility at Whangaparaoa for 14 days. The passengers were subsequently released on 19 February.[15]

New Zealand confirmed its first case on 28 February, a New Zealand citizen in his 60s who had recently visited Iran, returning via Bali, Indonesia, and arriving in New Zealand on 26 February at Auckland. He had two tests for COVID-19 that were negative, but a third test using a more specific sample was positive. He was admitted to Auckland City Hospital.[16][17][18] New Zealand was the 48th country to have a confirmed case of COVID-19.[16] Also on 28 February, the Government extended the travel restrictions to include travellers coming from Iran.[19]

March 2020

On 4 March, a New Zealand woman in her 30s who had returned from northern Italy on 25 February was confirmed as the second case of the virus in New Zealand.[20] She had flown into Auckland via Singapore, and subsequently caught domestic flights to and from Palmerston North on 2 March.[21] Her partner also displayed symptoms of the virus, and was confirmed as the fourth case on 6 March.[21][22]

On 5 March, the third confirmed New Zealand case and the first case of local transmission was reported. An Auckland man in his 40s was infected with COVID-19 by a family member who had returned from Iran on 23 February.[23] Three other members of his family had previously been unwell. Two family members had arrived in New Zealand from Iran on 23 February.[24] On 7 March, a fifth case was announced, a woman in her 40s who was the partner of the third case.[25][26] One of the family members who had returned from Iran was the father of the third case, and is considered a probable case.[27]

On 6 March, the Ministry of Health said that eight people from New Zealand had been passengers on the 11–21 February cruise of Grand Princess from San Francisco to Mexico and back and may have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. All eight had already returned to New Zealand.[28] One was a woman in her 70s who had been in hospital for a respiratory illness and was discharged and is considered a probable case.[27]

On 14 March, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that, effective 00:00 on 15 March, all travellers arriving in New Zealand from outside of the country (regardless of origin), everyone, including New Zealand citizens, must self-isolate for 14 days. This excludes travel from the Pacific islands unless the traveller shows signs of symptoms. In addition, restrictions will be placed on travel to the Pacific islands from New Zealand, barring travel to the region by those showing signs of coronavirus symptoms, as well as close contacts of coronavirus patients, Cruise ships will also be prohibited from docking in New Zealand until 30 June. Ardern described these as being among the "widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world".[29][30]

Public response

Increased demand for face-masks and hand sanitisers have led to shortages nationwide in supermarkets and pharmacies.[31][32] Following the first New Zealand case of COVID-19 on 28 February, customers were reportedly panic-buying supplies at Auckland supermarkets.[33][34]

A Wellington iwi has placed a taupāruru (restriction) on the practice of hongi, a traditional Māori greeting, in response to the outbreak.[35]

An Utting Research poll conducted between 1–2 March suggested that 47% were satisfied with the government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak, with 34% unsatisfied and 19% unsure.[36]

References

  1. ^ a b "COVID-19 No further cases". Ministry of Health. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Novel coronovirus update". Ministry of Health, New Zealand. 27 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Coronavirus: Health officials now have the power to quarantine anyone infected". The New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Health Act 1956 No 65 (as at 30 January 2020) – Schedule 1, Section B". New Zealand Legislation. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 23 February 2020 suggested (help)
  5. ^ "NZ to close doors on foreign travellers from China". RNZ. 2 February 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  6. ^ Elder, Vaughan (26 February 2020). "Otago University ready to accept Chinese students". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  7. ^ Forbes, Stephen (3 March 2020). "Coronavirus: University of Auckland says Government travel bans a 'political decision'". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Students stranded in China finding ways around NZ's coronavirus travel ban". TVNZ. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Covid-19: Travel restrictions for those coming from China extended". RNZ. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  10. ^ Bruek, Hilary (12 February 2020). "Photos from inside the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where thousands of passengers have been quarantined for a week because of the coronavirus outbreak". Business Insider Australia. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Coronavirus: New Zealanders quarantined on cruise ship won't be evacuated home". RNZ. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Coronavirus: Two more NZ cruise ship passengers test positive". RNZ. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  13. ^ Lew, Linda; McCarthy, Simone; Huang, Kristin (30 January 2020). "Life in the time of coronavirus: how Wuhan made it through a week in lockdown". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Air NZ mercy flight from coronavirus-stricken Wuhan, China arrives in Auckland". TVNZ. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  15. ^ Andelane, Lana (19 February 2020). "Coronavirus: 157 Wuhan evacuees permitted to leave quarantine in Whangaparaoa". Newshub. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Single case of COVID-19 confirmed in New Zealand". Ministry of Health, New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  17. ^ Cooke, Henry; Chumko, Andre. "Coronavirus: First case of virus in New Zealand". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  18. ^ "New Zealand confirms case of Covid-19 coronavirus". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Coronavirus: New travel restrictions for Iran announced". RNZ. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Second Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in NZ". Ministry of Health, New Zealand. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  21. ^ a b Hunt, Tom; Wiltshire, Laura; Williams, Katarina (4 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Second confirmed NZ case in Auckland, patient took multiple Air NZ flights". Dominion Post. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Fourth case of COVID-19 confirmed in New Zealand". Ministry of Health, New Zealand. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Live: Coronavirus updates". RNZ. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Third case of COVID-19 confirmed in New Zealand". Ministry of Health. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Fifth case of COVID-19 Fits Pattern of Previous Case". Ministry of Health. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Health boss announces fifth coronavirus case in NZ". RNZ. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  27. ^ a b "No new cases of COVID-19". Ministry of Health. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  28. ^ "Precautionary warning from CDCP relating to the Grand Princess". Ministry of Health. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Coronavirus: Everyone coming to New Zealand must isolate for 14 days, Prime Minister Ardern says". Stuff. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  30. ^ "Coronavirus: Everyone travelling to NZ from overseas to self-isolate". NZ Herald. 14 March 2020. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  31. ^ Clent, Danielle (1 March 2020). "Coronavirus: 'Zero' hand sanitisers, face masks at Auckland pharmacies". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Wellington supermarket limits hand sanitiser sales to two items per customer". New Zealand Herald. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  33. ^ Deguara, Brittney (1 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Retailers confident of supply chain despite 'panic' buying". RNZ. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  34. ^ Deguara, Brittney (29 February 2020). "Coronavirus stockpiling: Customer demand forces Auckland wholesaler to close its doors". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  35. ^ "Coronavirus: Hongi restriction put in place at pōhiri in Wellington". RNZ. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  36. ^ Cooke, Henry; Malpass, Luke (5 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Kiwis want more border control, don't think Govt can stop outbreak". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=COVID-19_pandemic_in_New_Zealand&oldid=945484205"