New Zealand health authorities on Monday released a statement saying there are no active coronavirus cases after the country's final patient was discharged for home from isolation. Health department director-general Ashley Bloomfield said the development was a major milestone and "really good news", which New Zealand could be proud of. In his statement, he said, "Having no active cases for the first time since February 28 is certainly a significant mark in our journey but, as we've previously said, ongoing vigilance against COVID-19 will continue to be essential,".

The last patient to have recovered from COVID-19 in New Zealand is said to be a woman in her 50s and was linked to a cluster at an Auckland nursing home with the country's health officials withholding from releasing any information due to privacy reasons. The health department's statement read, "(The) remaining case has been symptom-free for 48 hours and is regarded as recovered. The person has now been released from isolation,".

The South Pacific nation has been complimented by people from all over the world for its methods to address the pandemic, which included an uncompromising and strict lockdown that has lasted seven weeks and ended after the COVID-19 virus was contained last month. New Zealand, which has a population of five million people, has so far had 1,154 confirmed coronavirus cases with 22 people succumbing to their deaths. The country has also tasted big momentum as the past 17 days have not seen the rise of any new infections and had only one active case for more than a week until Monday.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended her gratitude to the people for their sacrifices and revealed she did a little dance with her baby daughter Neve upon hearing the news after there were no active cases in the country. Speaking about her daughter Neve's reaction to her dancing, Ardern said, "She was caught a little by surprise but she joined in, having absolutely no idea why I was dancing around the lounge."

The country will also move down to Level 1, the lowest rating on its four-tier virus response system, and will lift the lockdown, with nightclubs now allowed to operate without any dance floor restrictions and theatres being permitted to reopen. International border restrictions, however, will continue to remain in effect, but limitations on public gatherings and social distancing will be removed.