Australia’s most populous state reported its first locally acquired coronavirus infection in more than a month on Wednesday, with health authorities working to track down the source and the variant concerned.
The first local infection in southeastern New South Wales since March 31 strengthens prospects for a resumption of social distancing curbs, many of which had been eased as cases dwindled.
Although Australia has largely eradicated COVID-19, a man in his 50s with no known links to hotels used to quarantine individuals who have arrived from overseas tested positive on Tuesday, the state’s health ministry stated in a statement.
Testing showed a higher viral load than typically seen in infected individuals, potentially increasing the chance that the person has spread the disease, the ministry stated. He’s considered to have been infectious since April 30.
They’re additionally checking which virus variant is involved.
Australia’s hardline approach to rein in COVID-19, with measures including snap lockdowns, border controls, and swift contact tracing has kept its tally of infections at just over 29,800, with 910 deaths since the pandemic began.
For more than a yr, Australia has allowed only citizens and permanent residents to return, although they must spend two weeks in strict quarantine.
