The Ministry of Health today (Thursday May 28) reported there are no new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand, for the sixth day in a row.

The Ministry’s data also indicates there are no longer any active cases in the South Island.

“Our numbers today reinforce that New Zealand is continuing to do well, however we need to continue working together to keep ourselves in that position,” director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said.

“In recent days, the World Health Organisation has reminded countries about the need to be careful when relaxing alert level restrictions.

As the WHO has observed, epidemics often come in waves and a second wave will continue to be a possibility in New Zealand, even in a number of months from now.”

Ashley said continuing the hard work by all New Zealanders will ensure “we continue our zero cases, our downwards trajectory, and don’t face a second peak”.

New Zealand’s total number of confirmed cases remains at 1,154, the number reported to the WHO.

The combined total of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1,504. There are 12 additional recovered cases meaning this total is now 1,474. Only eight cases remain active.

The Ministry also commented on the death of Eileen Hunter, a resident from St Margaret’s Hospital & Rest Home, on Sunday (May 24).

Eileen was confirmed as having COVID-19 in mid-April and had been transferred from St Margaret’s to Waitakere hospital and then to North Shore hospital. Once recovered, with two negative test results, she was transferred back to St Margaret’s.

“It is important to note that Eileen was regarded as having recovered from COVID-19 at the time of her death and COVID-19 is not recorded as the primary cause of her death.  

After consideration, we have decided to include Eileen's death in our overall tally of COVID-19 related deaths, consistent with our inclusive approach to date,” the Ministry said in a statement.

This means the number of COVID-19 related deaths in New Zealand is now 22.

Again today, there is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19.

Yesterday, laboratories completed 4,255 tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 271,690.

The NZ COVID Tracer app has now recorded 436,000 registrations, an increase of 14,000 since yesterday.

PHOTO: Supplied