As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the globe, very few countries are able to say that they have been able to get the health crisis under control, Australia and New Zealand being two of them.
New Zealand, which had sprung to action since the onset of the pandemic was able to control its first wave of infections, and had successfully posted more than 100 days of zero community transmission when a few cases threatened the country’s response system. However, they were quick to control the second wave too, and as of 1st September, 2020, much of the country is open with Auckland being on Level 2 restrictions.
Australia too, with its quick response system was able to control its first wave of infections. The country was gearing up to open much of its states, when a hotel quarantine bungle for overseas arrivals in Victoria forced the state to go in a lockdown.
Melbourne, where the infections began to exhibit signs of community transmission, was placed in strict Level 4 Restrictions on 2nd August.
4 weeks into the lockdown, in the first week of August, new cases of Covid-19 peaked – on August 5, 2020, the state posted 725 cases and 15 deaths.
However, on 1st September, Victoria recorded only 15 new cases. Sadly, the state also posted two deaths.
While the economic cost of the lockdown may have been devastating, it can be safely assumed that Victoria has brought its second wave of infections under control.
Victoria on 1st September, 2020 had 2352 active coronavirus cases, on 1st October, 2020, Victoria has 289. The average number of cases diagnosed in the last 14 days for metropolitan Melbourne is 15.6 and regional Victoria is 0.3.
The numbers prompted Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to thank Victorians for their efforts, and to remind them that “We’ve got this”.
He also said that people can be optimistic and hopeful about October 19, the date slated for restrictions to ease further.
The Premier, and health authorities warn Victorians of complacency though, and continue to urge them to remain vigilant – even after restrictions are loosend in the next step of its Covid-19 recovery roadmap.
