Iran Press/ Asia: New Zealand extended its national lockdown to contain the new epicenter of the Covid-19 epidemic on Monday, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that the spread of the mutant Delta has not yet reached its peak.
Ardern said that the rapid spread of the highly contagious mutant means that it is too early to lift restrictions imposed since last week after the new outbreak of the epidemic in Auckland, ending six months with no local infections recorded.
"Delta was ahead of us and we needed to get the situation under control as quickly as possible... We don't think we've reached the peak of this outbreak," she added.
Ardern said that 35 new infections were discovered, bringing the total number to 107, with more than 13,000 contacts being tested for Covid-19.
The New Zealand closure was scheduled to end on Tuesday evening, but the Prime Minister said it would continue until Friday across the country, and until the evening of Aug. 31 in Auckland. 219
