New Zealand PM warns virus outbreak will growNew Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, seen here in March 2021, has said the discovery of new coronavirus cases justifies her decision to issue nationwide stay-at-home orders. Ardern confirmed New Zealand was dealing with the highly transmissible Delta variant linked to the outbreak in Australia that authorities have so far been unable to contain. "We're expecting more," she said as officials revealed modelling predicted the cluster grow to 120 cases, even with stringent restrictions in place. Ardern was confident that even with more cases, her government's strategy of eliminating the virus, rather than just containing it, would succeed. "Today's re-introduction of Level 4 restrictions to activity across New Zealand is a stark example of how unpredictable and disruptive the virus is proving to be," it said.

Source: Bangkok Post August 18, 2021 03:56 UTC