New Zealand on Friday extended a national lockdown sparked by a Delta virus outbreak into next week but warned restrictions would last longer in the infection epicenter of Auckland. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a nationwide lockdown imposed on August 17 would now continue until August 31. She said Auckland, where all but 14 cases have been found, and the neighboring region of Northland, were set to face at least an extra two weeks of hard lockdown.

New Zealand reported 70 new local COVID-19 infections on Friday, all in Auckland, taking the total number of cases to 347. 

(With input from AFP)