There have been 78 new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand as of 9.30am today. Of these, 73 are confirmed and five are considered probable. This brings the total number of cases (confirmed and probable) to 283.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported yesterday there had been 414 179 confirmed cases globally – 40,712 in the previous 24 hours. A total of 18,440 people had died from COVID-19, 2202 of those in the previous 24 hours.

At today’s briefing, New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said seven COVID-19 patients were currently in hospital in Wellington (3), Nelson (2), Waikato (1) and Northland (1). None were in intensive care.

He also confirmed that 27 individuals were confirmed to have recovered from the infection.

Testing continues throughout the country with 2417 tests processed yesterday. In all, 12,683 tests have been processed. In the past seven days, the number of tests being carried out has averaged 1400.

With the country now on Day 1 of the Level 4 lockdown and the number of new cases expected to continue to increase on a daily basis for at least the next 10 days, Dr Bloomfield said new measures were being introduced to limit the supply of prescription medication to one month at a time (or three months for oral contraceptives). This was in response to a perceived stockpiling by members of the public. 

There are no changes to the way prescriptions are written, just a change to the quantity able to be dispensed during a visit to the pharmacy. Dr Bloomfield stressed there were no shortages and stockpiling was unnecessary, but the new restrictions would ensure the supply chain was appropriately managed.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Mike Bush the majority of New Zealanders were compliant with the new self-isolation restrictions now in place, although a number of people spoken to overnight had claimed they knew nothing about the requirement to stay home for the next four weeks. He said the initial police response was of engagement, encouragement and education to ensure that people knew what was required of them. However, people out and about could expected to be challenged about why they were away from home and whether they were going about “essential” things.

It was okay to go for a walk or drive to a nearby park for exercise, but the key was nearby and for a specific reason.

“Keep it local,” he said. “Don’t be driving willy nilly all over town.”

A good rule of thumb was to behave in such a way that you had the infection yourself and keep your distance at all times. 

“This is about staying at home so you stay alive,” he said.