New Zealand’s early success in controlling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been described as “crushing the curve”. Until 15 June, the country had gone more than three weeks without any new infections.
By 2 July, New Zealand had recorded 1,180 confirmed cases with 22 deaths since the first case on 28 February. New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the country’s strategy was based on speedy testing, contact tracing and isolation, while rigorously adhering to public health guidance. The need for speed Three days after WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on 30 January 2020, New Zealand began introducing disease prevention measures and continued