Australia’s first coronavirus free state: Canberra completely eradicates active cases of COVID-19
The Australian Capital Territory has become the first state or territory to eliminate all of its confirmed coronavirus cases.
Three people have died of coronavirus in ACT and 106 people have contracted the virus – but the last two actives cases have now recovered.
‘Today marks the first time in seven weeks our territory has no active cases of COVID-19 and this is because of the strong work the community is doing to stop this virus,’ ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said.
‘It is important to stress we should still protect the good work we have done,’
‘Even though we have no active cases at the moment, it’s vitally important that we continue testing as many people with symptoms as possible to know the most accurate representation of COVID-19 within the ACT.’
The Australian Capital Territory has become the first state or territory to eliminate all of its confirmed coronavirus cases. Parliament House in Canberra is pictured
A total of 8,568 people have tested negative for coronavirus in ACT.
Despite the major milestone, the ACT is yet to follow the lead of other states in easing lockdown restrictions.
It comes as the Northern Territory government announced a two-staged approach to easening lockdown restrictions.
Active coronavirus cases in the Top End have dwindled down to just three.
Twenty-five people who contracted the virus have already recovered, and no new cases have been detected for more than three weeks.
Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales will also lift various restrictions this week.