New Zealand says it has solved Covid outbreak 'puzzle'New Zealand imposed a snap lockdown after a new Covid-19 outbreakWELLINGTON - New Zealand reported a breakthrough Thursday in tracing the source of a Covid-19 outbreak that plunged the nation into lockdown, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying it should help "stamp out" the virus. Health officials have been trying to determine how an Auckland man contracted the coronavirus this week, ending a six-month run of no community cases in New Zealand. "We believe we have uncovered the piece of the puzzle we were looking for," Ardern told reporters. Neighbouring Australia has been pursuing a similar "Covid zero" strategy, but is struggling to contain outbreaks of the Delta variant. The area is grappling with Australia's first significant outbreak in Aboriginal communities, with specialist military health teams deployed this week to boost sluggish vaccination efforts.

Source: Bangkok Post August 19, 2021 04:41 UTC