On February 28, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in New Zealand. The patient was announced to be a New Zealand national in his 60s who had entered the country from Iran via Bali.
How did the infection occur and what happened after the test result was negative?
The patient, who had originally been in Iran, arrived in Auckland on a flight from Bali on the 26th. He was tested at Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, where the two tests came back negative. The third test came back positive, and he was isolated and treated.
After his recovery was confirmed, he returned home by car without any contact with public places. He is currently in self-isolation at home with three family members. His condition is being monitored daily by health center staff.
The government contacted people who were known to have had contact with the infected person, as well as all travelers on the same flight who were sitting in the two rows in front of and behind the infected person, and asked them to stay at home.
Minister of Health David Clark asserted that "the most ideal response has been taken."
Although it is considered unlikely that the infection will spread widely within New Zealand, the coronavirus has caused a huge uproar around the world. The first death has just occurred in neighboring Australia. It may be difficult to tell people not to worry.
Panic is the same everywhere? Supermarket panic buying
As soon as the first confirmed cases of infection in New Zealand were reported in the media, long lines appeared at supermarkets all over the country as people bought food and daily necessities!
#Coronavid19 #COVID2019 Incredible! Aucklanders are crushing into the Paknsave for buying too many foods cuz of first coronavirus confirmed in New Zealand 🇳🇿 I never see this situation before...OMG...so guys, what did you buy 😯😯 pic.twitter.com/01fafmOcPn
— Christian Chang🇳🇿🇺🇸 (@WuZhangli) February 29, 2020
There were so many customers that some stores had to limit admission.
▶ Coronavirus: Customers restricted at Pak'nSave stores as people 'panic buy'
This is what the shelves look like in one of the Countdown supermarket stores... They're empty.
These shelves at Countdown look like ppl are preparing for a zombie apocalypse!!!. We are panicking with only 1 confirmed case in NZ. You'd think ppl would consider staying at home with less chance of getting the virus rather than going out with heaps of people. 🤦♀️🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/RlksSU7kUw
— Hannah_banana (@Hehehannah2) March 1, 2020
One of the customers at Pak'nSave, New Zealand's leading bargain supermarket,
Many people were buying up items as if they were preparing for the end of the world.
He commented.
Prime Minister Ardern urges nation to "stay calm"
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a press conference on March 1:
We have been making careful preparations for weeks in case a case of infection was confirmed in New Zealand.
He reassured the public that the response taken up until the first confirmed cases had been entirely appropriate, and urged them to remain calm.
If you need a bottle of milk, go and get it. If you don't, do not react in any other way than you would any other day.
"If you're out of milk, go buy some, if you don't need it, don't buy it. Just try to carry on as normal."
We also urge caution against media and fake news that unnecessarily stir up anxiety.
He urged people to get accurate information from government websites and not to be swayed by unclear news on social media such as Facebook.
▶ Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan) website
In addition, health-related consultations can be made by calling the toll-free number 0800-611-116. (The 0800 number is the same as 0120 in Japan.)
▶ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern urges calm over coronavirus case
This article shows a video of Prime Minister Ardern speaking in a bright and positive manner.
We will continue to bring you the latest coronavirus news from New Zealand.
