NSW has recorded its 22nd consecutive day without a locally-acquired case of COVID-19 as it inches closer to the benchmark for virus elimination.
Zero local cases of coronavirus were recorded in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday from more than 10,200 tests, while four virus cases were uncovered in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
No COVID-19 patients in NSW are in intensive care.
The benchmark for local elimination of COVID-19 is 28 consecutive days without a locally-acquired case, as has been reached in Victoria.
NSW Health’s Dr Michael Douglas says the state’s residents should continue to be on alert for undetected virus transmission.
Residents should also seek to remain COVID-safe during the weekend’s heatwave.
“Everyone is encouraged to continue to come forward for testing with even the mildest of symptoms that could signal COVID-19,” Dr Douglas said in a statement on Sunday.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, meanwhile, addressed the NSW Liberal State Council on Saturday afternoon and thanked her parliamentary colleagues for their diligence amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I hope that as (Liberal) members, you feel that in NSW we do have the right balance,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We don’t want to have a single restriction in place a day longer than we need to … we are looking forward in the very near future to be able to ease restrictions in a whole range of areas where people are currently feeling slightly inhibited.”
Meanwhile, Victoria has recorded its 30th consecutive day without a new COVID-19 case, having last week reached the benchmark for eliminating the virus.
The state recorded no new cases, no active cases and no lives lost on Saturday from just under 6000 tests.
The last COVID-19 patient in a Victorian hospital was discharged on Monday.
Health authorities say 28 days with no new infections means the virus has been eliminated from the community, given that period represents two 14-day incubation periods.
Victoria’s milestone means other states will begin welcoming travellers from the state once more.
NSW lifted restrictions for Victorian travellers on Monday, while Queensland and South Australia will reopen their borders from December 1.
Western Australia is now the only state or territory with closed borders to Victoria and no plan to reopen them.
Face coverings remain mandatory indoors in Victoria but are no longer mandatory outdoors except where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services, meanwhile, has detected coronavirus fragments in sewage at a treatment plant in Corio.
Those who live in or visited Geelong’s northern suburbs and Lara between November 21 and 23 should seek COVID-19 testing if they experience any respiratory symptoms.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
