New Zealand says it has eliminated COVID-19 – for now

Prime Minister believes there will be more cases, but they'll ready

New Zealand announced Monday it has eliminated COVID-19.

The last known infected person has recovered. It’s been 17 days since the last new case was reported.

This means the nation of five million people will be among the first to welcome fans back to sports stadiums, concerts and remove restrictions from flights. The border remains shut to all but citizens and residents, with some limited exceptions.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is confident that have halted the spread of the virus, but adds they have to be prepared for more.

“We almost certainly will see cases here again, and I do want to say that again, we will almost certainly see cases here again, and that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus. But if and when that occurs we have to make sure — and we are — that we are prepared.”

Experts say a number of factors helped New Zealand wipe out the disease. Its isolated location in the South Pacific gave it vital time to see the devastating spread of the virus in other countries. Ardern also acted decisively by imposing a strict lockdown early in the outbreak.

Just over 1,500 people contracted the virus in New Zealand, including 22 who died.

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