Lockdown lowers deaths

Wellington: Health experts have been surprised by a lower number of deaths throughout the country over the lockdown period.

During Alert Levels 3 and 4, public health experts found 548 fewer people died compared with the corresponding period last year.

University of Otago public health professor Nick Wilson said: ‘‘Far fewer people were getting cough and fever symptoms. The lockdown did stop these viruses from circulating.’’ — RNZ