Australia recorded thirteen new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) overnight, suggesting the nation’s strict lockdown protocols and social distancing measures are limiting the virus’ spread through the community.
But health authorities have warned there’s still work to be done before things go back to normal. After all, the curve isn’t totally flat – yet.
This morning, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state tallied just five new cases, one of the lowest day-on-day increases recorded since the epidemic began.
Tasmania recorded four new cases overnight, with Queensland counting two. Victoria and South Australia counted one each.
That’s a huge drop from late March, which saw Australia record hundreds of new cases each day.
Sadly, one person died of the virus in Victoria overnight, bringing the nationwide death toll to 75.
At time of writing, Australia’s other jurisdictions are yet to release updated figures.
Yesterday, the Western Australian Government said no new cases were found over the preceding 24 hours.
Signs are promising in the territories, too: The ACT has counted one new case in the past nine days, while the NT hasn’t notched a single confirmed infection in more than two weeks.
Despite the downturn in confirmed infections, Victoria’s Health Minister Jenny Mikakos today said “Our message is clear: Stay. At. Home.”
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt issued similar remarks yesterday, saying “There are still risks of spikes or outbreaks going forwards, but this is real shared national progress.”
Keep it up, Australia.
