Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
13 March, 2026, 5:24 am
Central - 24°C Clouds
13 March, 2026, 5:24 am Central - 24°C Clouds

Woman in her 70's confirmed to be NZ's first COVID-19 fatality

Woman in her 70's confirmed to be NZ's first COVID-19 fatality

By Violet Matakibau
29/03/2020
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern. [image: NZ Herald]

New Zealand has just had its first death linked to coronavirus. a woman in her 70s in Greymouth Passed away in hospital early this morning.

She tested positive for the virus on Friday morning.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says this is a very sad day but it brings home why New Zealand moved to alert level four.

Ardern says more people would get sick and older New Zealanders are by far at the most risk.

She says today's death is a reminder of the fight we have on our hands.

Ardern again called on New Zealanders to stay at home, break the chain and save lives.

New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told NZ Herald reporters the woman who died early this morning was initially thought to have influenza.

[Source:NZ Herald]

FEATURE NEWS
East Wing lift at CWM Hospital repaired; Lancaster and Children’s ward lifts expected by month-end
There is some relief as the essential lift in the East Wing of the CWM Hospital which is used to take patients to the operating theatres, the Intensi...
8 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
East Wing lift at CWM Hospital repaired; Lancaster and Children’s ward lifts expected by month-end
There is some relief as the essential lift in the East Wing of the CWM Hospital which is used to take patients to the operating theatres, the ...
8 hours ago

I do not need to meet former FNU Council Chair Semesa Karavaki - Rabuka
I do not need to meet with former FNU Council Chair Semesa Karavaki because everything has moved on from where we were when he wanted to meet.This ...
12 hours ago

Govt targets 50% reduction in travel time on major corridors - Tuinaceva
Traffic conditions are expected to improve along the Suva–Nausori, Lami–Suva and Nadi–Lautoka corridor, with plans underway to reduce travel ...
12 hours ago

Decision to appeal Malimali ruling was mine - Rabuka
Prime Minister says he as "Sitiveni Rabuka" decided to appeal the ruling by High Court Judge Dane Tuiqereqere that found the dismissal of Barbara ...
13 hours ago

Fiji could soon have 9,000 people living with HIV - Ravunawa
Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa revealed that Fiji is currently facing a HIV pandemic, and if current trends continue, projections ...
14 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
7 days ago

National Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs in Fiji: 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025
The illicit drug situation in Fiji has been described as a national emergency, with 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025. Minister for Policing ...
14 days ago

Charlie Charters held at Nadi Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file
Fijian national, Charlie Charters is being held at immigration at Nadi International Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file.fijivillage News has ...
14 days ago

TOP