Is New Zealand flattening the curve? Cases drop for second day in a row

By MiNDFOOD

Is New Zealand flattening the curve? Cases drop for second day in a row
Two weeks into New Zealand's lockdown, there are 50 new cases of COVID-19. This marks a drop in cases for the second day in a row. 

The total number of cases in New Zealand is now 1,210, with 12 people in hospital and four in intensive care.

Today also marked the highest number of daily tests, with 4,098 tests being processed.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she is remaining “cautiously optimistic” that the curve may be flattening. “We may yet see bumps along the way…but I remain cautiously optimistic that we are starting to turn the corner,” she says.

Responding to a Washington Post article that said New Zealand was now ‘squashing’ the curve, Ardern says she is focussed on an approach that is best for New Zealand.

“Our focus has been stamping it out…none of us are focussed on trying to create a model for anyone other than ourselves. We are trying to do what is right for New Zealand. That means our approach might be different to others,” says Ardern.

She reiterates that it is still too early to say whether cases will continue to drop and that sticking to the lockdown rules now is vital. “We must stay the course and uphold the rules,” she says.

The data below shows the daily rate of new confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand as of yesterday, April 7, 2020.

Daily rate of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand, source: Ministry of Health

How does New Zealand compare to other countries?

Data from John Hopkins University shows the US, France, Spain and Italy with some of the worst spikes in cases.

Top 10 countries with highest number of COVI-19 cases

Rate of COVID-19 cases in top 10 countries with highest numbers of cases, source: Johns Hopkins University

South Korea

South Korea and Singapore have been held up for their responses the COVID-19 pandemic. The data below shows South Korea’s curve began flattening just over a month after their first cases.

Singapore has also noted low numbers of cases due to strict early lockdown measures.

Daily new cases of COVID-19 in South Korea, as of April 8 2020, source: Johns Hopkins University

Singapore

Daily new cases of COVID-19 in Singapore, as of April 8 2020, source: Johns Hopkins University

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