New Zealand reported 21 new coronavirus cases just days after it imposed a lockdown putting its "Covid zero" &nbsp;strategy in doubt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-covid-19-outbreak-spreads-to-capital-wellington-407166">Auckland </a>reported 20 cases with at least 5 people hospitalised as the lockdown was extended until midnight set to last till next&nbsp;Tuesday.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern had imposed the lockdown after a single case of suspected Delta variant was detected earlier in the week.

Watch:

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-says-it-has-solved-covid-19-outbreak-puzzle-406735">New Zealand</a> had reported a virus case for the first time six months before this week's outbreak.

COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins conceded that despite "best preparations in the world" the virus had put the health system under strain.

Hipkins informed that about a million people have been fully vaccinated amid a slow vaccination rollout. Reports say only 20 per cent of the population has been fully inoculated as the opposition criticised the government's vaccine strategy.

The COVID-19 response minister said there were 72 active Delta cases with 66 in Auckland. Reports say health teams are currently checking the status of almost 9,000 close contacts of those who were infected with the virus earlier.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had maintained there was a need to remain "cautious" since the full scale of the Delta outbreak hadn't been ascertained.

The prime minister asserted that all the cases, including those in Wellington&nbsp;were linked. Ardern had said earlier that the "elimination strategy works" while vowing to stamp out the virus.

"Cases rise and then they fall until we have none. It's tried and true...we just need to stick it out," Ardern had asserted.

New Zealand has reported just 26 deaths and 2,660 confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began last year and has been widely appreciated for its Covid response, however, the recent outbreak has surprised many and led to worries among ministers and health officials.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
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New Zealand reported 21 new coronavirus cases just days after it imposed a lockdown putting its "Covid zero" strategy in doubt. Auckland reported 20 cases with at least 5 people hospitalised as the lockdown was extended until midnight set to last till next Tuesday.

New Zealand reported 21 new coronavirus cases just days after it imposed a lockdown putting its "Covid zero" strategy in doubt. Auckland reported 20 cases with at least 5 people hospitalised as the lockdown was extended until midnight set to last till next Tuesday. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern had imposed the lockdown after a single case of suspected Delta variant was detected earlier in the week. Watch: New Zealand had reported a virus case for the first time six months before this week's outbreak. COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins conceded that despite "best preparations in the world" the virus had put the health system under strain. Hipkins informed that about a million people have been fully vaccinated amid a slow vaccination rollout. Reports say only 20 per cent of the population has been fully inoculated as the opposition criticised the government's vaccine strategy. The COVID-19 response minister said there were 72 active Delta cases with 66 in Auckland. Reports say health teams are currently checking the status of almost 9,000 close contacts of those who were infected with the virus earlier. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had maintained there was a need to remain "cautious" since the full scale of the Delta outbreak hadn't been ascertained. The prime minister asserted that all the cases, including those in Wellington were linked. Ardern had said earlier that the "elimination strategy works" while vowing to stamp out the virus. "Cases rise and then they fall until we have none. It's tried and true...we just need to stick it out," Ardern had asserted. New Zealand has reported just 26 deaths and 2,660 confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began last year and has been widely appreciated for its Covid response, however, the recent outbreak has surprised many and led to worries among ministers and health officials. (With inputs from Agencies)

New Zealand: Coronavirus cases rise amid lockdown; Auckland worst-hit

A fresh coronavirus cluster in Auckland has led to 17 coronavirus cases, days after New Zealand marked record 102 days without a single case of the deadly virus.&nbsp;

National health chief Ashley Bloomfield on Wednesday said all 13 new COVID-19 infections are linked to a single family whose four family members tested positive on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-defers-parliament-dissolution-as-it-rushes-to-contain-covid-19-outbreak-319956">New Zealand defers parliament dissolution as it rushes to contain COVID-19 outbreak</a>

The sudden rise in the coronavirus cases could lead to an extension of a three-day lockdown in Auckland imposed on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-considers-freight-as-possible-source-of-new-coronavirus-cluster-319846">New Zealand considers freight as possible source of new coronavirus cluster</a>

The remaining part of the country was put under slightly looser level 2 restrictions. The new curbs will remain in place until Friday when Ardern will announce the next set of measures.&nbsp;

The health chief said a student studying in one of New Zealand's largest high schools has also been tested positive for COVID-19.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she expected more cases linked to the current spike, adding that all cases were limited to a single cluster in Auckland is an encouraging trend.&nbsp;

"As we all learned with our first experience with COVID, once you identify a cluster, it grows before it slows," Ardern said in a televised address.

Highlighting that the situation is "serious", the prime minister said, "it is being dealt with in an urgent but calm and methodical way."

Bloomfield said "it's too early" to decide on lockdown extension and will depend on the developments in the next 24 hours.&nbsp; 
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A fresh coronavirus cluster in Auckland has led to 17 coronavirus cases, days after New Zealand marked record 102 days without a single case of the deadly virus.

A fresh coronavirus cluster in Auckland has led to 17 coronavirus cases, days after New Zealand marked record 102 days without a single case of the deadly virus. National health chief Ashley Bloomfield on Wednesday said all 13 new COVID-19 infections are linked to a single family whose four family members tested positive on Tuesday. Also read | New Zealand defers parliament dissolution as it rushes to contain COVID-19 outbreak The sudden rise in the coronavirus cases could lead to an extension of a three-day lockdown in Auckland imposed on Wednesday. Also read | New Zealand considers freight as possible source of new coronavirus cluster The remaining part of the country was put under slightly looser level 2 restrictions. The new curbs will remain in place until Friday when Ardern will announce the next set of measures. The health chief said a student studying in one of New Zealand's largest high schools has also been tested positive for COVID-19. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she expected more cases linked to the current spike, adding that all cases were limited to a single cluster in Auckland is an encouraging trend. "As we all learned with our first experience with COVID, once you identify a cluster, it grows before it slows," Ardern said in a televised address. Highlighting that the situation is "serious", the prime minister said, "it is being dealt with in an urgent but calm and methodical way." Bloomfield said "it's too early" to decide on lockdown extension and will depend on the developments in the next 24 hours.

New Zealand: Concerns rise after fresh cluster causes hike in coronavirus cases

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday&nbsp;delayed a key step toward next month's general election, as the country was plunged back into lockdown after the discovery of the first COVID-19 cases in more than three months.

Ardern said she was suspending the dissolution of parliament, which was due to make way for an election scheduled to take place on September&nbsp;19, until Monday. No decision had yet been made on delaying the actual poll, she added.

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;health officials are urgently tracing the source of four&nbsp;new&nbsp;cases of COVID-19, all within one family in Auckland, the country's largest city. They&nbsp;are investigating the possibility that its first virus cases in more than three months were imported by freight.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-puts-auckland-on-lockdown-after-four-coronavirus-cases-detected-319714">New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern puts Auckland on lockdown after four coronavirus cases detected</a>

The cluster, the first cases reported in the country for 102 days, led Ardern to announce the reimposition of lockdown measures late on Tuesday.

Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the infected family was in strict isolation at home, but one woman had travelled to tourist spots in Rotorua while she was symptomatic.

Parliament was due to be dissolved on Wednesday to allow the election to take place, but the centre-left leader held off the move until Monday to monitor how the crisis evolves.

"At this stage, it's too early to make any decision but this means there is some flexibility if required," said Ardern, who is well ahead in opinion polls and expected to win a second term.

Leader of the opposition National Party Judith Collins called for a delay until late November, or even next year.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday delayed a key step toward next month's general election, as the country was plunged back into lockdown after the discovery of the first COVID-19 cases in more than three months.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday delayed a key step toward next month's general election, as the country was plunged back into lockdown after the discovery of the first COVID-19 cases in more than three months. Ardern said she was suspending the dissolution of parliament, which was due to make way for an election scheduled to take place on September 19, until Monday. No decision had yet been made on delaying the actual poll, she added. New Zealand health officials are urgently tracing the source of four new cases of COVID-19, all within one family in Auckland, the country's largest city. They are investigating the possibility that its first virus cases in more than three months were imported by freight. Also read: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern puts Auckland on lockdown after four coronavirus cases detected The cluster, the first cases reported in the country for 102 days, led Ardern to announce the reimposition of lockdown measures late on Tuesday. Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the infected family was in strict isolation at home, but one woman had travelled to tourist spots in Rotorua while she was symptomatic. Parliament was due to be dissolved on Wednesday to allow the election to take place, but the centre-left leader held off the move until Monday to monitor how the crisis evolves. "At this stage, it's too early to make any decision but this means there is some flexibility if required," said Ardern, who is well ahead in opinion polls and expected to win a second term. Leader of the opposition National Party Judith Collins called for a delay until late November, or even next year.

New Zealand defers parliament dissolution as it rushes to contain COVID-19 outbreak

New Zealand's health minister resigned on Thursday following severe criticism of his handling of coronavirus and violation of lockdown in April.&nbsp;

The sword was hanging over the head of David Clark after he broke lockdown rules in April and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted that it's essential that "health leadership" has the "confidence" of the people.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-isolation-facilities-under-extreme-stress-need-revamping-309205">New Zealand's isolation facilities under 'extreme stress'; need 'revamping'</a>

"As David has said to me, the needs of the team must come before him as an individual," Ardern said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whats-the-reality-beneath-picture-perfect-new-zealand-307175">What's the reality beneath 'picture-perfect' New Zealand?</a>

Earlier Clark called himself an "idiot" for his lockdown violation when he, along with his family, went for a 20-kilometre (12-mile) drive to the beach.&nbsp;

Clark was not fired for his actions, but remained absent from the daily health briefings at the time of the pandemic, with the health department director-general Ashley Bloomfield appearing with Ardern to share daily updates.&nbsp;

New Zealand's sharp response to control COVID-19 outbreak, won praises for Bloomfield, with people printing his face on tea towels and appreciating his efforts on social media.&nbsp;

Public anger rose after Clark blamed Bloomfield for mistakes related to border quarantine and a video went viral, where Clark was seen slamming Bloomfield.&nbsp;

However, during his resignation announcement, Clark praised Bloomfield for his handling of the deadly virus and insisted that he maintains warm relations with him.&nbsp;

"He is an exceptional public servant," Clark said, reported AFP.&nbsp;

"Thank you Ashley and your team for the extraordinary work you have done for our country during our most serious health crisis in a century."

New Zealand's health minister resigned on Thursday following severe criticism of his handling of coronavirus and violation of lockdown in April. The sword was hanging over the head of David Clark after he broke lockdown rules in April and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted that it's essential that "health leadership" has the "confidence" of the people.

New Zealand's health minister resigned on Thursday following severe criticism of his handling of coronavirus and violation of lockdown in April. The sword was hanging over the head of David Clark after he broke lockdown rules in April and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted that it's essential that "health leadership" has the "confidence" of the people. Also read | New Zealand's isolation facilities under 'extreme stress'; need 'revamping' "As David has said to me, the needs of the team must come before him as an individual," Ardern said. Also read | What's the reality beneath 'picture-perfect' New Zealand? Earlier Clark called himself an "idiot" for his lockdown violation when he, along with his family, went for a 20-kilometre (12-mile) drive to the beach. Clark was not fired for his actions, but remained absent from the daily health briefings at the time of the pandemic, with the health department director-general Ashley Bloomfield appearing with Ardern to share daily updates. New Zealand's sharp response to control COVID-19 outbreak, won praises for Bloomfield, with people printing his face on tea towels and appreciating his efforts on social media. Public anger rose after Clark blamed Bloomfield for mistakes related to border quarantine and a video went viral, where Clark was seen slamming Bloomfield. However, during his resignation announcement, Clark praised Bloomfield for his handling of the deadly virus and insisted that he maintains warm relations with him. "He is an exceptional public servant," Clark said, reported AFP. "Thank you Ashley and your team for the extraordinary work you have done for our country during our most serious health crisis in a century."

Amid backlash, New Zealand health minister resigns