A dangerous virus began its march across the planet from China and quickly reached other countries. Australia is no exception. Despite the fact that the country is located relatively far from China, the coronavirus entered it through air traffic. The country's authorities are doing everything possible to prevent the further spread of a dangerous disease.
The number of infected, dead and recovered
As of March 20, 2020, there are 877 cases of COVID-19 in Australia. At the same time, 7 people died, 29 were cured. At the same time, the first case of infection was noted on January 25 in a man, a native of Wuhan. After taking tests, he showed signs of a new disease.
It is also known that among the patients infected with the Chinese virus, there was an eight-year-old boy. He arrived in the country from the same metropolis along with an adult.
On March 20, it became known that 31 people present at the wedding were infected with the coronavirus.
The nationality of coronavirus patients in Australia does not matter. It is established that these are not only Chinese, but also Australians.
Is there panic in the streets of the country
According to economists, quarantine measures have already brought losses to the country's economy in the amount of one billion Australian dollars. In this island state, and before the outbreak of the epidemic, almost all food was imported. Due to the coronavirus and trade restrictions, food shortages have begun to be felt.
There was panic in some cities. There is a rush demand for food, hygiene products (in particular, toilet paper). In this regard, restrictions are set for this hygiene item: no more than one pack of paper in one hand. The same applies to napkins, pasta, hand sanitizers.
Due to quarantine measures, many residents are in so-called self-isolation. They order food online using courier services. They are not even afraid that the commission in some online stores can reach 35 percent. At the same time, Australians complain that due to quarantine, they have less work, and, accordingly, money.
In connection with the panic, some Internet services have become popular. One of them helps to determine whether a person is infected with a coronavirus or not. Moreover, the program is downloaded to the smartphone. Of course, the creators of this application had good intentions: after all, people can always quickly find out if they are in danger. However, the program shows many red dots on the map, indicating an infection. Of course, such information does not counteract panic in any way.
Australia's fight against coronavirus
Already after the first case of COVID-19 infection, doctors began to check everyone who flew on the same plane with the infected man. He did not visit public places and immediately came to relatives living in Melbourne. The government's next move was to evacuate Australian citizens from China. The quarantine zone for these people was located on Christmas Island.
After that, the authorities said that citizens should not worry: they would do everything to ensure that the infection did not spread further. They pointed out that a first-class healthcare system would help to detect new cases of COVID-19 in a timely manner and isolate patients. Immediately after that, the Australian Foreign Ministry banned flights to the Chinese province of Hubei, although it did not recommend to refrain from them.
In the future, the number of patients with COVID-19 began to grow. So, by the end of January, the number of infected increased to five.
The situation with the virus, which managed to get to Australia, is aggravated by forest fires. After all, at this time in the southern continent is summer. The government is taking emergency measures to ensure that the Chinese virus in Australia does not provoke disasters. Here, it is fought primarily with the help of preventive measures.
Doctors recommend that citizens wash their hands more often using disinfectants, limit contact with people who have symptoms indicating the presence of the virus. They call for the proper processing of meat and fish, the use of protective masks and the maximum restriction of contact with wild animals.
In connection with the spread of the coronavirus, the Australian authorities temporarily closed the entrance to the country for the Chinese. This is done to minimize the risk of infection.
In addition, quarantine measures have been introduced in the country. Residents are advised not to leave their homes and not appear on the streets unless absolutely necessary. Any non-mandatory mass gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited. This ban does not apply to schools, transport and shopping centers. Moreover, according to the Prime Minister, restrictive measures may be intensified.
On March 18, 2020, as the coronavirus began to spread rapidly in Australia, the Prime Minister declared a biosecurity emergency.
At the same time, citizens must refuse any visits abroad. According to the Prime Minister, the epidemic can last for at least six months.
Virus in China and fires in Australia: what is the connection
There is no direct link between the coronavirus outbreak in China and the bushfires in Australia. It’s just that an outbreak of a dangerous infection began just at the time when fires raged on the territory of the driest continent. Thus, the authorities had to fight on two fronts - against the virus and against fires.
Wildfires complicate the fight against coronavirus infection. Only the self-discipline of Australians and strict quarantine measures can contain the spread of a dangerous disease.
After the outbreak of COVID-19 began to spread rapidly around the planet, the authorities of most countries began to implement restrictive measures. Australia is no exception. So far, it has not been possible to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. The governments of countries where the disease has been detected are calling for self-isolation and hygiene.