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Coronavirus Australia live news: 3,400 cases of Covid-19 with median age of 48 – latest updates Coronavirus Australia live news: 3,400 cases of Covid-19 with median age of 48 – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
New South Wales on the brink of new restrictions with only essential services to remain open as department store Myer stands down 10,000 staff and closes all of its stores from Sunday. Follow all the latest newsNew South Wales on the brink of new restrictions with only essential services to remain open as department store Myer stands down 10,000 staff and closes all of its stores from Sunday. Follow all the latest news
To recap everything that has happened so far today:
Australia’s total cases have risen to 3,400. The median age is 48, and 67% are linked to travel.
A 91-year-old woman from the Dorothy Henderson Lodge in Sydney died overnight, bringing the death toll sadly up to 14.
An A-League player has tested positive, only days after the season was suspended. The unnamed Newcastle Jets player was a member of the squad for last weekend’s matches against Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City
Millions of Queenslanders turned out to vote in local government elections and two byelections, despite experts labelling this a “lethal risk”.
Total job losses across Australia have exceeded 75,000 as more retailers announced closures.
Ruby Princess cases nearly hit 300. There are now 171 cases in NSW linked to the ship and 122 interstate. asland and 21 in the Australian Capital Territory.
From midnight tonight, all travellers arriving in Australia from overseas must be quarantined in hotels for 14 days.
More than 100 Australian doctors and dentists, who were stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of Chile, have returned.
And more on store closures, it’s not just Country Road, it’s Mimco, Politix, Trenery and Witchery – who are all owned by South African company Woolworths Holdings.
David Jones, also owned by the same company, will close some smaller stores but leave large ones open, AAP report.
Myer yesterday announced it would shut all shops for four weeks.
The United States has become the first country in the world to exceed 100,000 cases of coronavirus, after an additional 15,000 cases on Friday local time.The United States has become the first country in the world to exceed 100,000 cases of coronavirus, after an additional 15,000 cases on Friday local time.
Super Netball players have become the latest professional sportspeople to commit to a pay reduction due to the coronavirus pandemic while Netball Australia has stood down half its staff.Super Netball players have become the latest professional sportspeople to commit to a pay reduction due to the coronavirus pandemic while Netball Australia has stood down half its staff.
The league and the Australian Netball Players’ Association announced on Saturday a reduction to player payments for five weeks, AAP report.The league and the Australian Netball Players’ Association announced on Saturday a reduction to player payments for five weeks, AAP report.
Contracted players are set to take two weeks’ leave from Monday and then remain at home on “active rest” for seven hours per week for the following three weeks at a 70% reduction in pay.Contracted players are set to take two weeks’ leave from Monday and then remain at home on “active rest” for seven hours per week for the following three weeks at a 70% reduction in pay.
Half of the staff from from Netball Australia and from the Super Netball league have been temporarily stood down, while those remaining are working reduced hours and taking pay cuts – including NA chief executive Marne Fechner and Super Netball boss Chris Symington, who are giving up 50% of their salaries.Half of the staff from from Netball Australia and from the Super Netball league have been temporarily stood down, while those remaining are working reduced hours and taking pay cuts – including NA chief executive Marne Fechner and Super Netball boss Chris Symington, who are giving up 50% of their salaries.
These reductions will be in place until 31 May 2020.These reductions will be in place until 31 May 2020.
More dispatches from the Queensland elections. Empty in some places, long lines in others.More dispatches from the Queensland elections. Empty in some places, long lines in others.
A reminder that the second edition of Isolaid festival is on tonight.A reminder that the second edition of Isolaid festival is on tonight.
Some of Australia’s best musicians are streaming sets from their living rooms, for you to also enjoy from your living room.Some of Australia’s best musicians are streaming sets from their living rooms, for you to also enjoy from your living room.
Today’s lineup has already begun on Instagram live, and it’s on again tomorrow.Today’s lineup has already begun on Instagram live, and it’s on again tomorrow.
An unnamed A-League player has become the first Australian footballer to test positive for Covid-19.An unnamed A-League player has become the first Australian footballer to test positive for Covid-19.
The Newcastle Jets player tested positive on Friday, the club confirmed, only days after the A-League was postponed.The Newcastle Jets player tested positive on Friday, the club confirmed, only days after the A-League was postponed.
The player was a member of the Jets’ squad for last weekend’s matches against Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City, according to AAP.The player was a member of the Jets’ squad for last weekend’s matches against Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City, according to AAP.
Newcastle Jets’ chief executive Lawrie McKinna said the player was asymptomatic and remains in good health.Newcastle Jets’ chief executive Lawrie McKinna said the player was asymptomatic and remains in good health.
And more on new NSW cases.And more on new NSW cases.
A two-year-old child and a childcare worker at the same Sydney childcare centre have tested positive for Covid-19, as has a three-year old child who was a household contact of someone who contracted the disease overseas.A two-year-old child and a childcare worker at the same Sydney childcare centre have tested positive for Covid-19, as has a three-year old child who was a household contact of someone who contracted the disease overseas.
And another case has been confirmed at the Opal Bankstown residential aged care facility.And another case has been confirmed at the Opal Bankstown residential aged care facility.
As of Friday 8pm, 22 people were in intensive care units and, of those, 11 are on ventilators.As of Friday 8pm, 22 people were in intensive care units and, of those, 11 are on ventilators.
NSW Health have also revealed that more than 100 Australian doctors and dentists, who were stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of Chile, have today returned to Australia.NSW Health have also revealed that more than 100 Australian doctors and dentists, who were stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of Chile, have today returned to Australia.
Last week, we reported the doctors were on board as part of a medical convention when Chile banned cruise vessels from docking.Last week, we reported the doctors were on board as part of a medical convention when Chile banned cruise vessels from docking.
Today NSW Health confirmed they had returned and none were identified as being “unwell”.Today NSW Health confirmed they had returned and none were identified as being “unwell”.
“Two international flights arrived in Sydney overnight and this morning with 245 passengers ... These passengers include numerous doctors and nurses who had been attending a health convention onboard who had not been able to berth off the South American coast,” the department said.“Two international flights arrived in Sydney overnight and this morning with 245 passengers ... These passengers include numerous doctors and nurses who had been attending a health convention onboard who had not been able to berth off the South American coast,” the department said.
“Airport screening was immediately commenced, including symptom assessment and temperature, and no passengers were identified as being unwell.“Airport screening was immediately commenced, including symptom assessment and temperature, and no passengers were identified as being unwell.
“All passengers are subject to the requirement for 14-day isolation under ministerial direction. This includes those who were able to safely return to their place of residence as well as around 150 people who are in quarantine in two Sydney hotels.”“All passengers are subject to the requirement for 14-day isolation under ministerial direction. This includes those who were able to safely return to their place of residence as well as around 150 people who are in quarantine in two Sydney hotels.”
Earlier, we told you that there are now 1,617 cases of Covid-19 in NSW.Earlier, we told you that there are now 1,617 cases of Covid-19 in NSW.
NSW Health has just released some further details of the latest new cases.NSW Health has just released some further details of the latest new cases.
171 people who were on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship have now tested positive for Covid-19. And, earlier, we revealed that more than 100 people interstate from the same ship had also contracted the virus.171 people who were on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship have now tested positive for Covid-19. And, earlier, we revealed that more than 100 people interstate from the same ship had also contracted the virus.
The ship’s 2,700 passengers had been allowed to disembark at Sydney’s Circular Quay on 19 March without mass testing, even though four people later tested positive for Covid-19 the next day.The ship’s 2,700 passengers had been allowed to disembark at Sydney’s Circular Quay on 19 March without mass testing, even though four people later tested positive for Covid-19 the next day.
On Tuesday, NSW Health was releasing state-by-state breakdowns, but abruptly said on Friday that they would stop – just as the number of interstate cases rose.On Tuesday, NSW Health was releasing state-by-state breakdowns, but abruptly said on Friday that they would stop – just as the number of interstate cases rose.
There are 53 passengers in SA who have tested positive, 32 in Queensland and 21 in the ACT.There are 53 passengers in SA who have tested positive, 32 in Queensland and 21 in the ACT.
Hi everyone, it’s Naaman Zhou and I’ll be on the blog for the rest of today. Thanks to Melissa Davey for all her work today.
Earlier, we mentioned that private hospitals say they could close within the next week without government intervention. Here’s our full report, by Adam Morton:
A quick late-afternoon recap.
3,400 cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Australia, including 14 deaths. The latest death is a 91-year-old woman from the Dorothy Henderson Lodge in NSW.
New measures will take effect from midnight which will mean all travellers arriving in Australia from overseas will be taken to hotels and monitored by authorities for 14 days.
The deputy chief medical officer, Prof Paul Kelly, said Australia’s hospitals, including intensive care departments, are ready and prepared. He rejected claims that Australia is expecting a peak on 10 April.
Queenslanders have gone to the polls to vote in local government elections and two byelections. Extra precautions have been put in place as voters were told to bring their own pens, keep a 1.5-metre distance and handing out how-to-vote material was banned.
More clothing retailers have announced they will close Australia-wide including Country Road and Cotton On.
The deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, said $198m was being provided to support regional airlines struggling through the crisis, and an additional $100m will also be available to smaller regional airlines should they need it.
On that note I’m handing the blog over to reporter Naaman Zhou who will keep you updated through the evening. Thanks to Naaman and my colleagues Scott Heinrich, Bridie Jabour, Judy Prisk, Nick Evershed and Gabriel Wilder for their help throughout the day.
Stay safe and look after each other – my thoughts are with all of those with loved ones far away, who are ill, and who are facing financial hardship. It’s been a tough couple of months.
Just a quick look overseas. Reporter Peter Beaumont writes that Italy has recorded its single biggest leap in coronavirus deaths, with 969 people dying from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. Beaumont writes;
Read the full story here.
The deputy chief medical officer is speaking about how well Australia’s hospital system is prepared. There have been reports a peak is expected in hospitals on 10 April, but these reports were not true, Paul Kelly says:
The deputy medical chief medical officer, Prof Paul Kelly, said isolation of returned travellers combined with physical distancing, and tracing contacts of known Covid-19 cases, are the key measures being focused on.
Deputy medical officer Prof Paul Kelly is up. Apologies. Earlier I said the chief medical officer, Prof Brendan Murphy, would be giving the address.
Kelly says:
More clothing retailers have announced they will close. Country Road said on Facebook the closure will be temporary. heir statement says:
Meanwhile Witchery will temporarily close stores as of Sunday 29 March until further notice. The online store will remain open for now. Cotton On will also still be available online, but announced on Saturday from 5pm Sunday 29 March that all Australian stores would temporarily close.
Prof Brendan Murphy, the chief medical officer, is expected to give an update shortly. We’ll bring you that as it happens. The national death toll is now 14.
*Note we put deaths at 15 earlier due to counting one death twice. Apologies.
Catholic Health Australia, the Australian Private Hospitals Association and Day Hospitals Australia have issued a joint statement warning crucial clinical staff will be stood down and private and non-profit hospitals closed in a matter of days after all category 2 and 3 non-elective surgeries were suspended. The statement says:
Catholic Hospitals Association’s chief executive, Pat Garcia, said:
Many thanks to Naaman Zhou for taking on the liveblog for a bit. Melissa Davey back with you now to take you through to about 4pm.
Just a bit more on our post from earlier about community groups calling on the federal government to provide energy relief. The government has said it is working with state and territory governments, industry and stakeholders to ensure supply is maintained.
The Australian Energy Regulator has set reasonable expectations of energy companies to protect householders and small business customers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its statement of expectations sets out a range measures, including:
waiving any disconnection, reconnection and/or contract break fees for small businesses which have gone into hibernation, along with daily supply charges to retailers, during any period of disconnection until at least 31 July;
offering all households and small businesses who indicate they may be in financial stress a payment plan or hardship arrangement;
not disconnecting customers who may be in financial stress, without their agreement before 31 July and potentially beyond.
If you’re worried about paying your bill, you can find more information here.