Praise for our COVID response

VICTORIANS have been praised for their fortitude and commitment one year on from the first coronavirus case.

The infection — also the first in Australia — was confirmed on January 25 last year after a man who was at the pandemic’s epicentre Wuhan six days earlier flew to Melbourne from Guangdong, in China's south.

By March 26, Victoria had recorded its first coronavirus deaths — three within 24 hours as case numbers statewide pushed past 500.

Two gruelling lockdowns followed, with Victoria’s daily new infections peaking at 725 and active cases hitting 7880 in early August.

But the state drove down the figures and on Sunday recorded no new local cases for the 18th straight day.

“A year ago, nobody could have predicted what was coming and how deeply the lives of every Victorian would be affected,” Premier Daniel Andrews said. “We have endured incredibly tough times, but I’m so proud of the sacrifices we have made to keep one another safe.”

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp hailed Victorians’ resilience.

“The devastation to Victorian families who lost a loved one has been unimaginable,” she said.

“People have lost their jobs and businesses through no fault of their own and the economic fallout may be felt for several years to come.”

Concern about coronavirus in early 2020 grew in the federal and state governments amid rising case numbers, with Victoria’s then deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Annaliese van Diemen warning the predicted trajectory of the virus posed a significant risk.

On March 16, then state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos declared a state of emergency, paving the way for the Chief Health Officer to issue orders cancelling mass gatherings.

On March 27, national cabinet resolved to implement a mandatory 14 days of quarantine for international arrivals.

Victoria’s failed hotel quarantine program followed.

Nancy Baxter, head of the University of Melbourne’s School of Population and Global Health, said the change to everyday life because of the pandemic was unfathomable a year ago.

“It’s remarkable even thinking about where we are it,’’ Professor Baxter said.

“It was always the flu that was going to be the next big pandemic.

“The thought of this happening was just too unreal.

“You almost thought these people were over the top and paranoid — that there was no way that it could happen.”

Victoria has recorded 20,436 coronavirus cases and 820 deaths.