Eliminated
Victoria has done a magnificent job in managing the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 has been officially “eliminated” from Australia’s second most populous state.
Victoria, you’ve done it! The State of Victoria in Australia has managed to “eliminate” SARS-Cov-2, the disease that causes COVID-19 after suffering a massive outbreak of the highly-contagious virus.
It hasn’t been easy. When COVID-19 first arrived, it triggered panic buying at the shops. After some initial success with social isolation, people became complacent and we had to return to lockdown. Things got worse and we had to enter “Stage 4” which was severe and became very difficult, but it was those severe restrictions that helped Victoria get on top of the outbreak. Slowly, the infections declined. Mandatory mask-wearing was introduced and freedoms were incrementally restored.
At the height of Victoria’s second wave on 4 August 2020, 687 new cases were recorded whilst active cases peaked at 6768 three days later on 7 August 2020. Things were getting very serious.
Now we have had 28 days with no new cases of COVID-19, which fits the generally-accepted definition of “eliminated”. Of course, we can’t become complacent. It wouldn’t take much for COVID-19 to return in the absence of a vaccine.
Most Australians have complied with social distancing regulations and supported government efforts to control the disease. Of course there were a few small protests but these failed to garner widespread support.
After the horrors of “Stage 4 lockdown”, I think most Victorians – indeed most Australians – will do everything in their power to prevent a recurrence
Well done, everyone. It looks like we may be able to enjoy Christmas after all!
Comments
One response to “Eliminated”
Pride is not supposed to be a good emotion, but I think we can take at little pride in what we have achieved. While I was difficult, I would hate to be facing what much the world is now. As a selectively bleeding heart lefty, I disassociate myself from bleeding heart lefties who went down the protest path, the conspiracy path or any other nonsensical path. Let’s see how the Anti Vaxers who want to travel overseas react but can’t because they refuse a vaccine. Probably the same way so many did when the government said no jab, no extra child benefit money.