For the third consecutive day there have been no new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s combined total of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1497, of which 1147 are confirmed. 

Nine more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total to 1411 people, or 94% of all confirmed and probable cases.

Two people are in hospital, neither is in intensive care.

It is now 26 days since a new case has been reported in the Southern District Health Board area and Medical Officer of Health, Dr Susan Jack, says the district is probably at the lowest point of risk of COVID-19 since the first case was reported.

“Testing of more than 2,500 asymptomatic people in Southern, all with negative results, has given assurance that we do not have community transmission of COVID-19. However, as the country starts to open up there is a small risk that people from other regions could re-introduce the disease to the Southern district,” she said.

“While that risk is low, it is imperative that anyone in Southern with any symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or any flu-like symptoms should stay at home, and contacts Healthline or their GP to organise a COVID-19 test. Testing is free.”

Dr Jack said the lockdown and increased handwashing meant the Southern DHB area was heading into an unexpectedly low flu season. However, opening of schools and workplaces would see flu symptoms start to rise.

She emphasised the continuing need for people to practice physical distancing (2 metres with strangers, 1 metre with their workmates), good hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette.

She also emphasised that anyone displaying any symptoms should get tested immediately.  

“You are not over-reacting, you will be helping keep yourself, your whānau and your community safe,” she said.

There have been 126 confirmed and probable cases in the SDHB area. Seven are active cases, 207 have now recovered and two have died.

Chief executive Chris Fleming called on people to stay vigilant and work together.

“I urge people in Southern to be cautious. We still have the threat of COVID-19 and we need to be vigilant, both within the health system and in our community,” he said.

The World Health Organisation situation report shows the number of confirmed cases reported grew by 81 577 in the 24 hours since the last update to a total of 4,170,424 cases. Another 4245 deaths have been reported, bringing the global death toll to 287,399.