HEALTH & FITNESS
New Zealand Gives Lesson to Control Coronavirus Pandemic
New Zealand has remarkably controlled the coronavirus spread with a decline in newly reported cases for the fourth consecutive day. What many countries around the globe are struggling to do, New Zealand has done. New Zealand leaves a message for the rest of the world.
On this small island inhabited by a population of 5 million is has been taking measures to eliminate coronavirus all together form its grounds. So far, mid-way in the month-long lockdown, the results are shocking.
On Thursday, only 29 new cases were confirmed after which the cumulative total reached 1,239, with only a single reported death. What is more surprising is that from these 1,239, only 14 were serious enough to be hospitalized and 317 have completely recovered.
New Zealand’s Prime minister, Jacinda Ardern claimed that “we are turning a corner and our commitment means our plan is working”. Current trends in reported coronavirus patients and reported death count proves that the approach is indeed successful.
Such positive trends have not been seen by Ardern as evidence enough to lift restrictions that appear to be the reason why the situation is under control in the first place. While Denmark began lifting its lockdown even when there were 5,597 cases and 218 deaths, Jacinda Ardern refused to lift restrictions even after the improved condition regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Arden declared that border restrictions will be tightened; those New Zealanders entering the country will be quarantined for two weeks in a recognized facility instead of self-quarantine. Foreign nationals, form the 20th of March, have been altogether banned from entering the country.
At the press conference on Thursday, Ardern announced that “At the halfway mark, I have no hesitation in saying that what New Zealanders have done over the last two weeks is huge,” she stated that the credit for bringing the situation under control is shared by all New Zealanders and it was a combined effort.
A primary reason for the positive change is the country’s geography. As an isolated island, New Zealand is far away from other countries and fewer flights in and out of the country. This limited contact with other affected countries has benefited the situation
