COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing global pandemic caused by the viral strain severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of April 18, 2020, more than 2.2 million people have been infected worldwide.

New Zealand's firm response
On March 26, New Zealand entered its alert level 4 phase, with non-essential businesses closing and citizens required to stay inside their homes, only allowed to leave when necessary unless exercising on nearby streets (not parks or beaches). Social distancing was to be observed at all times except with members of one's household or "bubble", even when on essential business such as food shopping.

Progress in New Zealand
By the evening of 14 April 2020, More than 1300 cases had been confirmed, though the number of active cases was dropping because in recent days there were more recoveries than new cases. There had been only nine deaths related to the disease, all casualties being elderly residents, six of them in a single Christchurch rest home.

By 18 April the total number of confirmed and probable cases was at 1422, 555 of which were active. 11 individuals had sadly died, with two more deaths being confirmed.

As reported on 21 May, there were 1503 cases, 97% of which had recovered. By this time there had been 21 deaths, and in the week after emerging from lockdown level 2, country had only reported 2 additional cases.