New Zealand Says New Covid-19 Case Is South African Variant
Umer Jamshaid Published January 25, 2021 | 11:20 AM
Wellington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jan, 2021 ) :New Zealand's first case of coronavirus in the community for more than two months has been identified as the more contagious South African variant, prompting Australia to suspend quarantine-free travel from the neighbouring country for at least 72 hours.
A 56-year-old New Zealander, who recently returned from Europe, tested positive on Saturday to the infectious strain, 10 days after she completed her compulsory two weeks in isolation.
New Zealand has been widely praised for its handling of the pandemic, with just 25 deaths from 1,927 confirmed virus cases in a population of five million.
The latest case is New Zealand's first in the community since mid-November and has been classified as a strain said to be more transmissible.
"The strain of infection is the South African variant and the source of infection is highly likely to be a fellow returnee," said Health Minister Chris Hipkins.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said it was a case of "significant concern" and the increased possibility of transmission had prompted his government to suspend its "travel bubble" with New Zealand for a minimum of 72 hours.
"This will be done out of an abundance of caution whilst more is learnt about the event and the case," he told reporters in Canberra.
"The changes come into effect immediately." Hunt urged New Zealanders with a flight to Australia scheduled within the next three days to "reconsider their need to travel" as they will have to go into hotel quarantine -- like other international arrivals -- for up to 14 days on arrival.
The woman is thought to have been infected during quarantine by a person on the same floor of the hotel who tested positive two days before the woman left.
The 56-year-old travelled around the Northland region near Auckland after her release from quarantine and showed symptoms for several days before being tested.
Two people close to her, including her husband, have since returned negative tests and New Zealand's director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said they likely avoided contracting the illness due to the type of infection.
"She didn't talk about respiratory symptoms, it was more muscle aches, so she may not have been sharing or spreading the virus much," he said.
"I don't think that's peculiar to this variant, it's just how it was expressed in this woman."The World Health Organization has said there is no clear evidence the South African variant leads to more severe disease or a higher death rate.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
By-election for PP-93 Bhakkar on April 21
Lok Virsa starts E-ticketing for its valued customers
06 illegal arm holders held
Police crackdown on criminals, arrests wanted accused
DC visits examination center
Palestinian ambassador calls on PPP Chairman
Old Enmity: Man shot dead
Anti-polio drive to start from April 29
SSP Investigation conducted Khuli Katchery at Murree Police Station
Record-setting Duplantis lights up Xiamen, Richardson upset
Search operation conducted in Abid Majeed Road, Gulzar-e-Quaid areas
CM message on 'World Creativity and Innovation Day'
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
1 day ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
5 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
6 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
6 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
13 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
14 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
16 days ago