New Zealand confirms 40 new COVID-19 cases

New Zealand reported 40 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday with more community transmission.

Three new probable cases were also reported. As probable cases are now being included in the total count, New Zealand currently has 155 COVID-19 cases, including 142 cases that have tested positive, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told a press conference.

Four of the cases are resulted from community transmission, with three of them in Auckland and one in Wairarapa, both in the North Island.

More cases will surge in the next few days, as Kiwis return home from affected countries and community transmission began to take place, Bloomfield said, adding 12 people had recovered from COVID-19.

New Zealand would go into lockdown for four weeks from Wednesday night. Schools closed from Tuesday. Only essential services, such as supermarkets, doctors, pharmacies, service stations, are in place.

"These decisions will place the most significant restriction on New Zealanders' movements in modern history. This is not a decision taken lightly. But this is our best chance to slow the virus and to save lives," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.