From Hong Kong to New Zealand, Hawaii and Montana, officials celebrate zero new cases of COVID-19.
Across the world, many countries are seeing the number of new cases of COVID-19 wind down into single digits over the last week. Four places - including a huge city like Hong Kong that was hit hard by the pandemic - are even celebrating zero new cases.
One of the most densely populated cities on earth, Hong Kong has now gone 22 days as of Monday without re-circulation of the virus within the country. The last new case was reported on 20 April.
Another nation that will likely soon declare mission accomplished is New Zealand, which has ended stringent lockdown procedures less than a week ago after Monday passed without any new cases of the virus. New Zealand's westerly neighbour, Australia, is likewise carrying a light viral burden and talks between the two nations may soon result in a trans-Tasman travel arrangement, whereby visitors of one country can visit the other freely. The islands of Hawaii has reported no new cases. It’s the first time in two months the spread has halted completely. Beginning May 18, governors will allow residents to seek reimbursement for expenses if people were impacted by official shutdown measures, which include rent and child care. These orders are beginning to be lifted, with low-risk business reopening. Also free of new cases is Montana. The Big Sky State reports no new reports of patients with the virus. COVID-19’s effect in Montana has been so limited, that on 7 May schools were given the option of resuming normal operations.