Victoria Has Recorded Zero New COVID-19 Cases for the First Time Since the Start of the Pandemic

Less than a week after Victoria wound back some COVID-19 gathering, entertainment, travel and hospitality restrictions, including allowing restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs to reopen, the state has today, Saturday, June 6, announced that zero new cases were recorded overnight — the first time it has done so since the pandemic was declared.

Since COVID-19 was first reported in Australia at the end of January, 7251 cases have been recorded across the country (as at 3pm on Friday, June 5), bringing with it 102 deaths and a drastic change to life as we know it. As the coronavirus has spread, travel has been banned and restrictions on everyday movement have been implemented, good news has been few and far between of late, which makes the zero new cases figure in Victoria a welcome development indeed.

In a tweet this morning, Victoria Health Minister Jenny Mikakos announced that no new cases had been confirmed since yesterday, which the state has "been able to achieve through Victorians doing an incredible job keeping themselves and each other safe". While that's a positive outcome, she also said it was important to remember that "the public health advice is that the risk is not over yet so it's up to all of us to keep it up".

Today's zero new cases places Victoria's total at 1681, which includes 1586 people who have recovered from the coronavirus, as per the state's last reported numbers on Friday, June 5. So far, Victoria has conducted more than 542,000 tests for COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.

While restrictions have been easing in the state, the Victorian Government has continued to stress the need for the strict enforcement of social distancing and isolation rules, with the government last weekend announcing the extension of its COVID-19 State of Emergency until at least midnight on Sunday, June 21.

Announcing the extension, Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton noted that the continued restrictions are needed to continue to keep slowing the spread of COVID-19. "Victorians have done a great job sticking to the coronavirus restrictions – their actions have saved countless lives," he said. "We know restrictions can be frustrating, but they are working. It's vital we continue to follow these directions to keep our community transmission numbers low and protect more Victorians."

Top image: Julia Sansone