New Zealand on Tuesday recorded the highest jump in coronavirus since last year recording 41 new COVID-19 cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-coronavirus-cases-rise-amid-lockdown-auckland-worst-hit-407596">Auckland </a>which has become the new epicentre of the virus recorded 38 cases with thee cases reported in Wellington.

Director-General of Health Chief Ashley Bloomfield however said that the country is not witnessing an "exponential increase".

Watch:

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New Zealand reported 148 coronavirus cases which is the highest since April 2020. PM Jacinda Ardern had declared a nationwide lockdown earlier which was extended till Tuesday as authorities detected the Delta variant.

The New Zealand prime minister had extended the lockdown on Monday to August 27 with restrictions in Auckland to last until August 31.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-new-zealand-covid-ministers-spread-your-legs-error-goes-viral-407836">Watch: New Zealand Covid minister’s ‘spread your legs’ error goes viral &nbsp;</a>

Ardern said the virus hadn't reached its peak while adding that it "does mean the safest options for all of us right now is to hold the course for longer."

The health ministry warned the number of cases could rise as the country witnessed a fresh outbreak. The country had closed its border last year in order to combat the virus but the latest surge has worried health officials.

New Zealand has so far witnessed just 26 deaths due to the virus and has been able successful in combating the virus, however, the recent reports of the Delta variant spreading in the country has put pressure on health officials.

Amid the outbreak, finance minister Grant Robertson assured that the economy has been "incredibly resilient" while adding that "public health response is still the best economic response".

The country has been slow with its vaccination&nbsp;drive with just over 20 per cent fully vaccinated.

Ardern however defended her virus strategy, saying: "For now everyone is in agreement elimination is the strategy, while adding, "There is no discussion or debate amongst any of us about that because that is the safest option for us while we continue to vaccinate our people."

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

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New Zealand on Tuesday recorded the highest jump in coronavirus since last year recording 41 new COVID-19 cases. Auckland which has become the new epicentre of the virus recorded 38 cases with thee cases reported in Wellington.

New Zealand on Tuesday recorded the highest jump in coronavirus since last year recording 41 new COVID-19 cases. Auckland which has become the new epicentre of the virus recorded 38 cases with thee cases reported in Wellington. Director-General of Health Chief Ashley Bloomfield however said that the country is not witnessing an "exponential increase". Watch: New Zealand reported 148 coronavirus cases which is the highest since April 2020. PM Jacinda Ardern had declared a nationwide lockdown earlier which was extended till Tuesday as authorities detected the Delta variant. The New Zealand prime minister had extended the lockdown on Monday to August 27 with restrictions in Auckland to last until August 31. Watch: New Zealand Covid minister’s ‘spread your legs’ error goes viral Ardern said the virus hadn't reached its peak while adding that it "does mean the safest options for all of us right now is to hold the course for longer." The health ministry warned the number of cases could rise as the country witnessed a fresh outbreak. The country had closed its border last year in order to combat the virus but the latest surge has worried health officials. New Zealand has so far witnessed just 26 deaths due to the virus and has been able successful in combating the virus, however, the recent reports of the Delta variant spreading in the country has put pressure on health officials. Amid the outbreak, finance minister Grant Robertson assured that the economy has been "incredibly resilient" while adding that "public health response is still the best economic response". The country has been slow with its vaccination drive with just over 20 per cent fully vaccinated. Ardern however defended her virus strategy, saying: "For now everyone is in agreement elimination is the strategy, while adding, "There is no discussion or debate amongst any of us about that because that is the safest option for us while we continue to vaccinate our people." (With inputs from Agencies)

New Zealand reports highest increase in COVID-19 cases since April last year

New Zealand Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jacinda-arderns-popularity-dips-as-vaccine-rollout-in-new-zealand-slows-down-402909">Jacinda Ardern</a> declared on Thursday that the country will keep its borders closed this year amid the coronavirus pandemic and would look to reopen in 2022 in a phased manner.

"Rushing could see us in the situation many other countries are finding themselves in," the New Zealand prime minister said even as neighbouring<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-shuts-australia-travel-bubble-as-covid-19-cases-surge-399931"> Australia</a> witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases with cities under lockdown.

"We're simply not in a position to fully reopen just yet," Ardern said.

Watch:

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New Zealand's vaccine rollout has been slow with just 20 per cent people inoculated so far, however, Ardern asserted that the vaccination drive will be ramped up by the end of the year.

At least 36 per cent of the population has received one dose of the vaccine, however, over 63 per cent are still unvaccinated. On Thursday, the country reported &nbsp;43 active COVID-19 cases

"Our ultimate goal is to get to quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travellers," Ardern said. New Zealand had opened its travel bubble with Australia in June but it was dirupted as cases mounted Down Under.

The country proposes to allow two-week quarantine for travellers who are fully vaccinated and belong to low-risk countries even as Ardern said international travel would never be the same as it was before the pandemic.&nbsp;

PM Ardern's plan involves phased resumption of quarantine-free travel with a pilot project to take place in October and December as the prime minister unveiled a four-step plan re-open the borders in the future.

New Zealand has been a&nbsp;success story in combating the virus with just 26 deaths in a population of five million with snap lockdowns undertaken by authorities whenever cases have been reported.

The authorities have ensured strict border controls to contain the virus. On Wednesday, New Zealand designated Indonesia and Fiji as "high-risk" countries due to a surge in cases in the country while placing travel limits in the two countries.

(With inputs from Agencies)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared on Thursday that the country will keep its borders closed this year amid the coronavirus pandemic and would look to reopen in 2022 in a phased manner.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared on Thursday that the country will keep its borders closed this year amid the coronavirus pandemic and would look to reopen in 2022 in a phased manner. "Rushing could see us in the situation many other countries are finding themselves in," the New Zealand prime minister said even as neighbouring Australia witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases with cities under lockdown. "We're simply not in a position to fully reopen just yet," Ardern said. Watch: New Zealand's vaccine rollout has been slow with just 20 per cent people inoculated so far, however, Ardern asserted that the vaccination drive will be ramped up by the end of the year. At least 36 per cent of the population has received one dose of the vaccine, however, over 63 per cent are still unvaccinated. On Thursday, the country reported 43 active COVID-19 cases "Our ultimate goal is to get to quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travellers," Ardern said. New Zealand had opened its travel bubble with Australia in June but it was dirupted as cases mounted Down Under. The country proposes to allow two-week quarantine for travellers who are fully vaccinated and belong to low-risk countries even as Ardern said international travel would never be the same as it was before the pandemic. PM Ardern's plan involves phased resumption of quarantine-free travel with a pilot project to take place in October and December as the prime minister unveiled a four-step plan re-open the borders in the future. New Zealand has been a success story in combating the virus with just 26 deaths in a population of five million with snap lockdowns undertaken by authorities whenever cases have been reported. The authorities have ensured strict border controls to contain the virus. On Wednesday, New Zealand designated Indonesia and Fiji as "high-risk" countries due to a surge in cases in the country while placing travel limits in the two countries. (With inputs from Agencies)

International travel update: New Zealand to keep borders closed this year; phased reopening in 2022

After not reporting a single case of community transmission for 102 days, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered Auckland to be lockdown after four cases of community transmission was reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-surpasses-20-million-coronavirus-cases-who-warns-against-despair-319610">Also Read:&nbsp;World surpasses 20 million coronavirus cases, WHO warns against despair</a>

The New Zealand government has put Auckland on level 3 alert for the next 3 days along with the rest of the country which has been put on alert level 2.

Watch:

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The country hadn't recorded any case of community transmission since May 1.

According to reports, the four cases belonged to one family but there was no overseas link.

"After 102 days, we have our first cases of COVID-19 outside of managed isolation or quarantine facilities... while we have all worked incredibly hard to prevent this scenario, we have also planned and prepared for it," Ardern said.

The residents in Auckland have been put on work from home except for essential workers. Schools, bars and restaurants have also been ordered to be closed.

"We're asking people in Auckland to stay home to stop the spread," the New Zealand prime minister said, adding,"act as if you have COVID-19, and as though people around you have COVID-19."

Ardern added that people should not rush to supermarkets. Amid the lockdown announcement, Auckland mayor Phil Goff called for calm as authorities called for more testing especially in Wiri, Henderson including Auckland. 
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After not reporting a single case of community transmission for 102 days, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered Auckland to be lockdown after four cases of community transmission was reported.

After not reporting a single case of community transmission for 102 days, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered Auckland to be lockdown after four cases of community transmission was reported. Also Read: World surpasses 20 million coronavirus cases, WHO warns against despair The New Zealand government has put Auckland on level 3 alert for the next 3 days along with the rest of the country which has been put on alert level 2. Watch: The country hadn't recorded any case of community transmission since May 1. According to reports, the four cases belonged to one family but there was no overseas link. "After 102 days, we have our first cases of COVID-19 outside of managed isolation or quarantine facilities... while we have all worked incredibly hard to prevent this scenario, we have also planned and prepared for it," Ardern said. The residents in Auckland have been put on work from home except for essential workers. Schools, bars and restaurants have also been ordered to be closed. "We're asking people in Auckland to stay home to stop the spread," the New Zealand prime minister said, adding,"act as if you have COVID-19, and as though people around you have COVID-19." Ardern added that people should not rush to supermarkets. Amid the lockdown announcement, Auckland mayor Phil Goff called for calm as authorities called for more testing especially in Wiri, Henderson including Auckland.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern puts Auckland on lockdown after four coronavirus cases detected