Officials in the ACT have this afternoon confirmed they have eradicated all known active cases of COVID-19 in the territory, becoming the first Australia jurisdiction to bring its tally of active cases down to zero.
ACT officials had previously recorded 106 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the seven weeks since recording its first positive test. In that time, the illness claimed the lives of three people.
However today, officials in Canberra confirmed the last remaining resident who tested positive has now recovered, meaning as far as recorded active cases are concerned, the ACT is virus-free for the time being.
Testing in the Territory was expanded last week to include anyone exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, not just those people who had come into contact with known cases. Despite that, the number of active cases has today dropped down to zero.
Although the news here is positive, health officials in the ACT have been at pains to stress the danger has not yet passed in Canberra, and have urged the public to maintain their vigilance, hygiene, and social distancing measures to prevent any future spikes. Territory officials are encouraging people who develop any symptom related to get tested at either the drive-thru testing facility at the EPIC Showground, the walk-in centre at Weston Creek, or at their local GP’s office if possible.
The news continues a string of encouraging developments in Australia’s on-going efforts against the pandemic. The Northern Territory is now down to just 3 active cases, and Legislative Assembly officials have issued a plan to re-open pubs, clubs, and spectator sports by June 5. South Australia meanwhile has recorded seven consecutive days without a new recorded case of COVID-19, leading the state’s Chief Public Health Officer to declare it “the safest place to be in the world.”
