VICTORIA recorded its seventh consecutive day of zero new COVID-19 cases and no deaths on Friday.

Western District Health Service (WDHS) chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald congratulated every Victorian for their hard work in driving down infections.

He said residents should pause briefly to reflect on the success that had been achieved.

“No active cases for seven days in the context of the last few months is positive news but shouldn’t be viewed in isolation,” he said.

“The reality of this disease is that even with a vaccine being released early next year, it’s unlikely that we will see its full roll out and effect until the end of 2021.

“While we may want to believe the worst is over, the future is uncertain when it comes to predicting how COVID-19 will manifest from here on.”

Mr Fitzgerald understood the past months in lockdown and living within restrictions had been tough for many locals.

“We have come to know from experience in the last eight months that COVID-19 is a master of finding weaknesses in almost any system,” he said.

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