Sigh of relief as Australia sees no COVID-19 deaths

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – An apparent sigh of relief is being felt across Australia as new government data showed no deaths due to COVID-19 were recorded in the country today.

It is first time in two months that Victoria, the nation’s worst-hit state, did not see any deaths, daily Sydney Morning Herald reported.

However, regional Prime Minister Daniel Andrews sounded a note of caution.

“There are many people still who are fighting this virus and it's a very tough fight," he said, though hailing the “good news.”

Victoria has emerged as a hot spot for infections in the country, with 42 out of 50 new cases nationally emerging there.

The death toll in the country remains at 816 after six fatalities on Monday.

Victoria’s case rise is also linked to elder care homes from where 515 infections are part of 1,040 active cases in the region.

Daniel also announced that Victoria will see eased coronavirus restrictions from Wednesday/Thursday, with restrictions down to level 3.

“Regional Victoria will be opening up in just the next 24 hours or so,” he said.

People will be allowed to travel within the region, Daniel said.

“All of this work in regional Victoria will help to inform the early steps and subsequent steps that we will take in metropolitan Melbourne,” he said.

The premier said community sports will also resume for children while non-contact sports activities will be allowed for adults.