NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

New Zealand health officials reported the death Saturday of a woman in her 90s who was a confirmed case of COVID-19 at North Shore hospital in Auckland.

Image/Robert Herriman

The woman had a number of underlying health conditions. This is the first death reported in more than six months.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said:

“Every death is a reminder of the damage COVID-19 can cause when it gets into our community.

“Our older New Zealanders and those with underlying health issues are by far the most at risk from the virus and one of the reasons lockdowns are such an important tool to stop its spread.”

This is the 27th COVID-19 related death in New Zealand since the start of the pandemic.

On Sunday, 20 additional COVID-19 cases were reported, all from Auckland. This brings the country’s cumulative total to 3,769.