No new cases of COVID-19 in Tasmania for six weeks: How we compare to other Aussie states
With today marking six weeks since we’ve had a new COVID-19 case, The Mercury takes a look at how Tasmania compares to other Aussie states. And we’re proving to be a leader in virus recovery. HEAT MAPS, INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS + MORE >>
Tasmania
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IT has now been exactly six weeks since Tasmania recorded a new case of coronavirus, making us the second best-performing state in the country.
The island state last recorded a new COVID-19 case on May 15 — 42 days ago.
We’re trailing the Northern Territory in recovery, which hasn’t recorded a new COVID case since May 2, 55 days ago.
But we’re leaps and bounds ahead of our closest mainland neighbours, with Victoria and New South Wales still recording daily cases as fresh hot spots of community transmissions hamper recovery efforts.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein is expected to make an announcement today on when Tassie’s borders will likely reopen.
How we compare to other states
Here’s the state of play around the country as of Friday, June 26:
Tasmania
How many days without a new COVID case: 42
Active cases: 0
Total cases since outbreak started: 228
Deaths: 13
Tests conducted: 46,433 *As of 6pm June 24
Tasmania, which closed its borders on March 20, is free of active COVID-19 cases and last recorded a new case more than five weeks ago.
The island state will shift to stage three of restrictions from noon today, with up to 500 people allowed at outdoor venues and 250 at indoor ones.
READ MORE: STAY FIRM ON BORDER CALL, PREMIER
Victoria
How many days without a new COVID case: 0
Active cases: 163
Total cases since outbreak started: 1917
Deaths: 20
Tests conducted: More than 716,000 tests
Victoria continues to be a major COVID-19 hotspot, with community transmissions skyrocketing.
A total of 33 new cases were recorded on Wednesday, made up of nine linked to outbreaks, six cases identified through routine testing, 10 cases detected in a returned travellers in hotel quarantine and eight cases under investigation.
Premier Daniel Andrews said numbers would continue to increase in coming days as authorities test “entire suburbs”.
Authorities undertaking a testing blitz of 100,000 people across the Melbourne suburb hot spots, which are Keilor Downs, Broadmeadows, Albanvale, Maidstone, Sunshine West, Brunswick West, Hallam, Fawkner, Reservoir and Pakenham.
ACT
How many days without a new COVID case: 19
Active cases: 0
Total cases since outbreak started: 108
Deaths: 3
Negative test results: 27,421
New South Wales
How many days without a new COVID case: 0
Active cases: 6
Total cases since outbreak started: 3168
Deaths: 51
Tests conducted: 788,693
Queensland
How many days without a new COVID case: 0
Queensland has recorded its first new case of coronavirus in nine days, with still only two active cases across the state.
The latest case, which is the first since June 17, relates to a person who has returned from overseas.
Active cases: 2
Total cases since the outbreak started: 1067
Deaths: 6
Tests conducted: 347,610
Northern Territory
How many days without a new COVID case: 55
Active cases: 0
Total cases since outbreak started: 30
Deaths: 0
Tests conducted: 12,099
Aussies who have even just passed through Melbourne’s virus hot spots have been threatened with jail time if they travel to the Northern Territory.
After the NT opens it borders on July 17, people travelling to the Top End will need to sign a declaration that they have not been through a hot spot in the previous 28 days.
Anyone found to have lied on a statutory declaration could face a jail term of up to three years.
South Australia
How many days without a new COVID case: 29
Active cases: 0
Total cases since outbreak started: 440
Deaths: 4
Tests conducted: 143,905 *data current as of 24/6
Western Australia
How many days without a new COVID case: 4
Active cases: 4
Total cases since outbreak started: 608
Deaths: 9
Tests conducted: 171,195
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