New Zealand successfully eliminates COVID-19, as last patient of the country recovers

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern  Monday said, she was confident New Zealand has halted the spread of the coronavirus after the last known infected person in the country recovered. It has been 17 days since the last new case was reported, while 40,000 have been tested in that time. Monday also marked the first time since late February that there have been no active cases. 

“We almost certainly will see cases here again, and that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus. But if and when that occurs we have to make sure and we are, that we are prepared," the PM said. Ardern also announced the Cabinet had agreed to another phase of the country’s reopening, to take place at midnight. Just over 1,500 people contracted the virus in New Zealand, including 22 who died. Just over 1,500 people contracted the virus in New Zealand, including 22 who died. Experts believe a number of factors have helped the nation of 5 million wipe out the disease. Its isolated location in the South Pacific gave it vital time to see how outbreaks spread in other countries.