Overview
As NSW prepares to wind back some restrictions later this week, the state has today, Tuesday, May 12, 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, 6948 cases have been recorded across the country (as at 9pm on Monday, May 11), bringing with it 97 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 past weeks' significant drop in reported cases across NSW — and Australia — a welcome development indeed.
At a press conference this morning, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that zero new cases had been reported overnight "for the first time since we took records", and 6048 people had been tested in the past 24 hours. Huzzah. While the Premier said it's a positive outcome, she also said it was important to maintain a "high level of testing as the restrictions are eased".
NSW Health
"We want to see the testing numbers get closer to the target of 8000," the Premier said. "And we're asking everyone to come forward especially as the winter months are approaching and people will be developing flu-like symptoms — please assume you have the coronavirus, don't assume it's just a cold or just the flu."
From this Friday, May 15, Sydneysiders can have five visitors in their home; outdoor gatherings of ten people are allowed; and cafes, restaurants and outdoor pools and gym equipment can reopen with some restrictions. You can read more about the relaxed restrictions set to come in place over here.
As these relaxed rules come in place, though, Sydneysiders are encouraged to practice social distancing measures and good hygiene, and, as the Premier said, get tested. To show the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in your area — or areas you plan to travel to for exercise or to see friends — the NSW Government has released an interactive heat map that shows confirmed cases and number of tests administered by postcode.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Government website.
Top image: Julia Sansone