New Zealand reopens; U.S. states see increase in cases

By Maia Irvin 

New Zealand reopened for the second time on Wednesday morning after a strict lockdown in Auckland, news sources reported. 

The New York Times reported that New Zealand lifted the last of its strict restrictions on Auckland after 10 days without new cases linked to the cluster of cases that surfaced in August. 

Unrestricted gatherings and public transit trips without social distancing or masks are now allowed, the Times reported. 

According to the Times, New Zealand's strategy "is aimed at eradicating the virus with a swift science-based policy." There is a 95% probability that New Zealand has eliminated local transmission of the virus, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the Times reported. 

New Zealand's border remains closed except to citizens and permanent residents, according to the Times. 

Meanwhile in the US, 25 states reported a rise in COVID-19 cases, CNN reported. At least 12 states reported more than 1,000 new cases on Monday, according to CNN. 

According to CNN, researchers with the University of Washington's Insititue for Health Metrics and Evaluation projected more than 2,900 deaths in the US each day by January. The institute also projected more than 360,000 total deaths in the US by January, CNN reported. 

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