There are 89 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total to 1,039.
15 people in hospital with 3 in intensive care, 2 of which who are in critical conditions.
There are 12 clusters, with 2 new ones in Canterbury and Auckland.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the steady rate of cases is positive, though it is too early to announce any move from lockdown. “Now what we need to do is see those numbers…come down,” says Ardern.
Referencing economist Rodney Jones’ modelling, which projected cases to be at 4,000 as of this weekend, Ardern says the “3,000 fewer cases show the difference cumulative action makes.”
Statistics from Google show New Zealanders mostly complying to the lockdown with a 91% reduction of movement in places of retail and recreation.
“We had the benefit of witnessing a terrible trajectory overseas….going hard and going early seems to be going well for us,” says Ardern.
Ardern also called out people who are flouting the rules.
“There are still some who I would charitably describe as idiots…a 38 year old Christchurch man arrested last night after being seen online coughing at people at a supermarket, I include in that description,” she says. The man has been charged and will be appearing in court tomorrow.
Ardern also stamped down on rumours that the lockdown has been extended. “No decisions have been made…we have to rely on the most up to date data we have and we’re at a point where we can see the full impact of alert level 4, let alone make that determination.”
