New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tests positive for COVID-19
Saturday, 14 May 2022 (12:24 IST)
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has tested positive for COVID-19, her office announced in a statement on Saturday.
Ardern had been in isolation since May 8, when her partner Clarke Gayford tested positive.
The prime minister — who was due to resume her parliamentary duties on Monday — would now be required to isolate until the morning of May 21, undertaking what duties she can remotely.
"Despite best efforts, unfortunately I've joined the rest of my family and have tested positive for COVID 19," Ardern said in a post on Instagram.
Ardern's positive test comes after she announced Wednesday that New Zealand will fully reopen to the world in August, ending one of the strictest coronavirus border curbs.
The country had enforced one of the world's toughest measures to manage the COVID-19 outbreak when the pandemic began in 2020.
Deaths from COVID-19 in New Zealand have remained among the lowest in developed nations, with a national death toll of 892.
The country, however, witnessed an omicron flare-up since restrictions were relaxed in March.
Ardern's positive case is among more than 50,000 infections reported over the last week.
