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Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-per...d-19-case-months-prompts-new-zealand-lockdown
First local COVID-19 case in months prompts New Zealand lockdown
Filed Under:
COVID-19
Lisa Schnirring | News Editor | CIDRAP News
| Aug 17, 2021
New Zealand ordered a 3-day nationwide lockdown after detecting its first local COVID-19 case since February, amid fears of the more transmissible Delta (B1617.2) variant.
In other developments, World Health Organization (WHO) officials aired concerns about COVID-19 spread amid an interruption of vaccination activities in Afghanistan, as security in that country destabilizes.
Patient part of 5-case cluster
New Zealand's local case involves a 58-year-old Auckland man who hadn't yet been vaccinated and had no known links to the country's borders, according to the New Zealand Herald. His symptoms began yesterday, and he tested positive today.
Officials have identified 23 possible events where he could have passed the virus to others.
Today officials confirmed four more cases, all linked to the man. One involves a hospital staff member, and tests confirmed that the virus is the Delta variant.
New Zealand has won praise keeping its COVID-19 levels low with tough containment measures. Other countries that have kept cases low, including Vietnam and Australia, have also struggled to contain the more transmissible Delta variant.
More global headlines
First local COVID-19 case in months prompts New Zealand lockdown
Filed Under:
COVID-19
Lisa Schnirring | News Editor | CIDRAP News
| Aug 17, 2021
New Zealand ordered a 3-day nationwide lockdown after detecting its first local COVID-19 case since February, amid fears of the more transmissible Delta (B1617.2) variant.
In other developments, World Health Organization (WHO) officials aired concerns about COVID-19 spread amid an interruption of vaccination activities in Afghanistan, as security in that country destabilizes.
Patient part of 5-case cluster
New Zealand's local case involves a 58-year-old Auckland man who hadn't yet been vaccinated and had no known links to the country's borders, according to the New Zealand Herald. His symptoms began yesterday, and he tested positive today.
Officials have identified 23 possible events where he could have passed the virus to others.
Today officials confirmed four more cases, all linked to the man. One involves a hospital staff member, and tests confirmed that the virus is the Delta variant.
New Zealand has won praise keeping its COVID-19 levels low with tough containment measures. Other countries that have kept cases low, including Vietnam and Australia, have also struggled to contain the more transmissible Delta variant.
More global headlines
- Speaking at a United Nations briefing today, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said the agency is worried about the spread of the virus in Afghanistan, given that upheaval related to the US military pullout and Taliban takeover has slowed vaccination, according to Reuters. Jasarevic said WHO mobile teams are waiting in Kabul because of the deteriorating situation and that chaos at the airport as people clamor to leave is slowing medical supply deliveries and exacerbating shortages.
- In Thailand, police clashed with protestors who marched on the prime minister's office to register their anger about the country's handling of its COVID-19 surge, according to Reuters. The country has been reporting record high cases and a rocky vaccine rollout. Opposition politicians also filed a no-confidence motion, which will trigger a debate over the prime minister's pandemic actions.
- The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) today announced a funding agreement with California-based Gritstone Bio to further the development of its next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, which will target variants. CEPI said the company's vaccine is based on a self-amplifying mRNA platform and that it will provide Gritstone up to $20.6 million to get the product through a phase 1 clinical trial. The award is CEPI's fifth to support next-generation COVID-19 vaccines.
- The global total today topped 208 million, reaching 208,233,834 cases, along with 4,337,926 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.