27 in NZ recovering from coronavirus
As the number of confirmed cases and fatalities linked to coronavirus continues to rise, so too does the number of recovered patients.
Around the world, more than 110,000 people have recovered from the illness, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
In New Zealand, a total of 27 people have recovered, according to director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. He updated the figure yesterday afternoon at the Ministry of Health’s daily press conference.
Bloomfield previously said the ministry was not initially gathering that data.
Worldwide, 113,770 people have recovered as of yesterday – 53 per cent of whom are in China’s Hubei province, the original epicentre of the virus.
In Iran, 9625 people have recovered, 9362 in Italy, 5367 in Spain, 3900 in France, and 3730 in South Korea.
Recovering from the virus was similar to overcoming the flu, Bloomfield said.
‘‘Recovery from Covid-19 is a lot like recovering from a flu. You should rest, recuperate, keep up your fluids and get lots of sleep.’’
But even when recovered, individuals in New Zealand would need to remain in strict isolation until cleared by their health provider, Bloomfield said.
For many, the virus presents with only mild to moderate symptoms – a fever and cough, in most cases.
However, for some of the more extreme cases, usually among the more vulnerable populations – elderly and those with existing medical conditions – severe illness is possible.
In New Zealand, there have been 283 confirmed and probable cases so far. Most people have not required hospital admission, with many recovering at home in self-isolation.
The first confirmed case in New Zealand – a person in their 60s who flew from Tehran to Auckland via Dubai and Bali – was initially admitted to hospital but later released after showing signs of recovery. At the time, a ministry spokesperson said they were doing well.
There have been no coronavirus-related deaths in New Zealand. The global death rate of the virus is not completely clear, as more fatalities are being reported daily.
However, in almost three months the virus has already surpassed that of the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak that killed 774 people in eight months, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers), which killed 858 people between 2012 and 2019.
According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, there have been 21,181 global fatalities.
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