Australia is heading into the final weeks of the year with an ever-improving report card in tackling COVID-19, especially in its two biggest states.
NSW has recorded its 22nd consecutive day without a locally-acquired case of COVID-19, inching closer to the benchmark 28-day for virus elimination.
The once COVID-ravaged state of Victoria has now clocked up 30 days without a new case.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison believes Australia's secret in tackling the pandemic has been its people's resilience.
"We've done, especially in COVID, better than almost any other country in the world," Mr Morrison told ABC radio on Sunday.
"I said at the start of the COVID pandemic that we know we're a strong people."
A day earlier, Mr Morrison told the NSW party faithful he was optimistic 2021 would be better than 2020, as the government prepares to roll out a vaccine in the first quarter of next year.
He said Australia had heavily invested in four vaccines - Novavax, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and a University of Queensland vaccine - which he said should be introduced in the first three months of 2021.
The prime minster remains in isolation in The Lodge following his recent official visit to Japan.
He will dial into parliament on Monday for the start of the final sittng fortnight of the year.
But as the temperature gauge rises this weekend, Australians are again being told not to be complacent.
Parts of Sydney broke the 40C barrier on Saturday while swathes of western NSW, South Australia and northern Victoria baked through even higher temperatures approaching 45C.
NSW Health's Michael Douglas says the state's residents should continue to be on alert for undetected virus transmission.
"Everyone is encouraged to continue to come forward for testing with even the mildest of symptoms that could signal COVID-19," Dr Douglas said.
However, in South Australia the state remains on edge after its recent coronavirus scare.
SA authorities have issued an alert for people who attended the Intensive English Language Institute at Flinders University between November 13 and 28.
Anybody who visited the Adelaide campus and those in their immediate household must self-quarantine for 14 days under health department directions.
