WELLINGTON, Apr 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand reported 26 new confirmed and 24 new probable cases of COVID-19 today (Wednesday), bringing the total number of confirmed and probable infections to 1,210 in the country.
One person died, so far, and 282 had recovered, Director-General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield, from the Ministry of Health, said.
There are 12 significant clusters across the country. Community transmission accounts for two percent of the cases, Bloomfield said.
Twelve people are in hospitals across New Zealand, with two patients in a critical condition, in intensive care units, he said.
New Zealand entered a four-week lock-down, or epidemic response Alert Level 4, on Mar 26. The government wage subsidy scheme helped more than one million Kiwis keep their jobs, according to the government.
The State of National Emergency to support the COVID-19 response will be extended a second time, for a further seven days.
A State of National Emergency provides the people managing the response in an emergency access to powers they would not normally have, but might require now, to implement and enforce these measures, according to Minister of Civil Defence, Peeni Henare.
Health Minister, David Clark, said, a range of support is being rolled out across New Zealand to help people look after their mental health during COVID-19.– NNN-AGENCIES
