The territory surrounding Australia’s capital city of Canberra has become the first of the country’s eight states and territories to declare itself free of all…
The territory surrounding Australia’s capital city of Canberra has become the first of the country’s eight states and territories to declare itself free of all known coronavirus cases.
Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman told reporters Thursday that the Australian Capital Territory was free of any recorded infection for the first time in seven weeks.
The territory has a population of only 420,000 – the second-smallest state in the country – and it has had 106 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canberra, with three deaths. All other patients have recovered.
Overall, however, Australia has had at least 6,754 total coronavirus cases — most of which were seen in New South Wales and in Victoria. Figures show that 5,694 people have recovered and 92 have died.
There were 10 new cases recorded nationally in the past 24 hours.
Australia, and its neighbor New Zealand, have been praised in recent days for successful efforts to squash the spread of the virus.
Early on, both countries issued movement restrictions, closed borders and ordered residents to their homes, except for essential workers and shopping.
“There are no guarantees, I want to stress,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in early April.
