Virus sequence of New Zealand's recent COVID-19 outbreak different from previous cases

The sequence of coronavirus that triggered New Zealand's recent outbreak is not the same from the one detected in country's previous cases, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Friday.

New Zealand has identified 29 cases, all linked to one cluster in Auckland, Arden said. One other case likely linked to the cluster is still being investigated. 

More than 30,000 tests have been conducted in the last 48 hours.

Arden also announced that Auckland will remain at level III and the rest of the country at level II of lockdown for another 12 days, until the end of August 26.

Prior to the new cluster of infections, New Zealand had reported no domestically transmitted cases for over 100 days.