Refresh this page for updates – scroll down for links to official health information.
KEY POINTS
- Third consecutive day of no new cases
- Aussies urged to remember those who served
- More virus outbreaks coming for Australia
- National picture in brief
- Trump’s disinfectant ideas horrify medics
No new cases
South Australia has recorded its third consecutive day of no new cases of coronavirus, with the state’s total sitting at 438.
SA Health confirmed this afternoon 402 people or 92 per cent had recovered from their infections.
Only 32 active cases remain across the state.
Four people are still in hospital, with two in a critical condition in intensive care.
SA deputy chief public health officer Dr Michael Cusack said testing of asymptomatic people was required before community restrictions were lifted.
“We certainly need to continue a high rate of testing,” he said.
“We do plan to test groups of asymptomatic individuals and the nature of those groups are in discussion at the moment.
“I’m confident if we put the call out, people will make themselves available.”
Aussies urged to remember those who served
Australians have been urged to remember war veterans and all servicemen and women who are forced to commemorate Anzac day alone because of the impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Delivering the annual dawn service address in Adelaide, Anzac Day committee chairman Ian Smith called on the community to pay their respects to those who served.
“Today, in this time of physical distancing, many men and women commemorating alone or with close family in Australia, New Zealand and across the world will be missing their mates and finding this Anzac day particularly hard,” he said.
“Many will appreciate a call from friends and family.”
Police established a wide cordon around the war memorial which normally hosts a crowd of more than 10,000 for the dawn service.
More virus outbreaks coming for Australia
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned Australia will face new coronavirus outbreaks when social and economic restrictions are lifted.
In the coming weeks federal and state leaders are expected to ease some of the strict measures that have led to infection rates plummeting.
A broader testing regime and a government contact tracing app are seen as key targets to trigger a relaxation of the economic shutdown.
“When we take further steps to ease restrictions we will continue to see outbreaks. That is to be expected,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Friday.
“What matters is being able to move on them quickly, to identify them.”
National picture in brief
Key numbers
- A total of 6,675 cases have been recorded in Australia, more than 5,100 have recovered.
- An outbreak totalling 14 infections is being investigated at a private Melbourne psychiatric facility, Albert Road Clinic, with one person now in intensive care.
- The average daily increase in infections has fallen to 0.2 per cent.
- Deaths in Australia: 80 (35 in NSW, 16 in Vic, four in Qld, eight in WA, ten in Tas, three in ACT, four in SA). Some 21 were passengers on the Ruby Princess and four on the Artania in WA.
Trump’s disinfectant ideas horrify medics
US President Donald Trump’s musings on whether injecting disinfectants might treat COVID-19 have horrified medical professionals.
The comments have also raised fresh concerns that Trump’s stream-of-consciousness briefings could push frightened people to poison themselves with untested treatments.
An international chorus of doctors and health experts urged people not to drink or inject disinfectant on Friday.
A day earlier, Trump suggested scientists should investigate inserting the cleaning agent into the body as a way to cure COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
Initially, the White House said Trump’s comments were being taken out of context.
Later Trump said he was being sarcastic.
“I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen,” he told reporters at the White House.
OFFICIAL SOURCES OF ADVICE AND INFORMATION
Local updates and resources
State Government central information: https://www.sa.gov.au/
SA Health: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019
Mental health support line (8am to 8pm): 1800 632 753.
National advice and information
Australian Government Coronavirus information hotline: 1800 020 080
Government information via WhatsApp: click here
Travel
Australian Government travel advice: smartraveller.gov.au
Check your symptoms
Free, government-funded, health advice: healthdirect.gov.au
– Reporting by InDaily staff, AAP and Reuters
This article is supported by the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas.
