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
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan visits Rawalpindi ..
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
21 hours ago -
Experts for ending child labour
3 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
3 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
5 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
6 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
6 days ago
-
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
7 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
8 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
8 days ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
10 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
12 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
12 days ago