The strict Covid-19 nationwide lockdown in New Zealand will be extended until at least Aug. 27, 2021, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Aug. 23.

The lockdown extension comes as Ardern said the current outbreak of the Delta variant of the coronavirus had not yet peaked.

The level 4 national lockdown has been extended by three days until midnight on Aug. 27.

Auckland, the epicentre of the outbreak, will have restrictions in place at least until Aug. 31.

"The safest option for all of us right now is to hold the course for longer," Ardern said at a news conference.

"If the world has taught us anything it is to be cautious with this variant of Covid-19," she added.

From 1 case to 107 cases

New Zealand reported 35 new cases of Covid-19 on Aug. 23, bringing the total number of infections in the outbreak to 107.

There was one single case reported a week ago, which triggered the lockdown on Aug. 18.

A man in his 50s was deemed to have been infectious in Auckland since Aug. 12.

The health ministry said in the latest statement that 33 new cases have appeared in Auckland and two are in the capital Wellington.

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