After 28 days of zero new cases, has Victoria eliminated coronavirus?

Victoria has recorded its 28th consecutive day of no new COVID-19 cases, which has left many people asking whether the state has now eliminated coronavirus.

Epidemiologist Emma McBryde said the 28-day milestone was an “important number” for Victoria, and a target she previously thought the state would be unable to achieve.

“Twenty-eight days is more than enough to be able to say if there was a substantial amount of community transmission we would know about it by now,” she said.

“The next step of course is how we can … ensure that it stays away.”

Why is 28 days considered the benchmark for elimination?

Professor McBryde said while the 28-day figure was…