New Zealand says it has won 'battle' against COVID-19

Mark Mitchell / POOL / AFP

New Zealand claimed Monday it had "eliminated" the COVID-19 after stopping the "widespread, undetected community transmission" of the virus.

During a media briefing, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country had “avoided the worst” in the pandemic, but warned against complacency.

“There is no widespread undetected community transmission in New Zealand. We have won that battle. But we must remain vigilant if we are to keep it that way,” she said.

The country reported new cases in single figures, as it readies to ease restrictions from "level four" to "level three". 

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