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Coronavirus Australia live news: Australia death toll rises to 30 as NSW health minister under fire for handling of Ruby Princess – latest updates Coronavirus Australia live news: Australia death toll rises to 30 as NSW health minister under fire for handling of Ruby Princess – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Brad Hazzard hits back at criticism of disembarkation of passengers while ACT announces second death in the territory. Follow all the latest news liveBrad Hazzard hits back at criticism of disembarkation of passengers while ACT announces second death in the territory. Follow all the latest news live
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NSW Health has released its daily Covid-19 update. Here are the key points:
104 new cases were diagnosed between 8pm Thursday and 8pm Friday.
251 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 41 in intensive care, 23 of whom require ventilators.
110 people currently in quarantine in Sydney hotels are being tested for Covid-19 after reporting symptoms. Tests have been done, with the results expected today (so we can expect to hear more about this by Sunday). NSW Health is alerting passengers who were close contacts on flights to monitor for symptoms.
There is a second positive case at TAFE Ultimo that is unrelated to the first case. Contact tracing is underway. Parts of the TAFE remain open.
A student at Bankstown Senior College has tested positive for Covid-19. Investigations are ongoing to trace close contacts.
At the Rose of Sharon childcare centre in Blacktown there are now seven confirmed cases in staff, six confirmed cases in children, and 12 secondary cases (11 household contacts and one friend). The centre is closed.
St Mary’s Senior High School has one confirmed case, a student. The school is closed and investigations are ongoing.
Gloucester Primary School has one confirmed case in a staff member. The school remains open as it has been over two weeks since staff member’s last attendance.
Ben Smee has written an updated piece on the Ruby Princess fallout.Ben Smee has written an updated piece on the Ruby Princess fallout.
The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, has defended the role of health experts who allowed 2,700 passengers to disembark the Ruby Princess cruise ship and make their own way home, following reports that authorities knew about the widespread respiratory sickness on board.The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, has defended the role of health experts who allowed 2,700 passengers to disembark the Ruby Princess cruise ship and make their own way home, following reports that authorities knew about the widespread respiratory sickness on board.
The NSW opposition has called for Hazzard to stand down, with the Labor leader, Jodi McKay, describing the incident as one of the most significant health failures in the state’s history.The NSW opposition has called for Hazzard to stand down, with the Labor leader, Jodi McKay, describing the incident as one of the most significant health failures in the state’s history.
The speed and volume of Covid-19 news has made it difficult to keep up with stories happening elsewhere.The speed and volume of Covid-19 news has made it difficult to keep up with stories happening elsewhere.
We’ve started a new section ICYMI to help you catch up. Naaman Zhou has rounded up some of the big non-coronavirus stories of the past week:We’ve started a new section ICYMI to help you catch up. Naaman Zhou has rounded up some of the big non-coronavirus stories of the past week:
One of the messages coming through strongly at these press conferences today is governments are reminding people who are not frontline workers to stay home over Easter.One of the messages coming through strongly at these press conferences today is governments are reminding people who are not frontline workers to stay home over Easter.
“We want to make sure that people get the message that this Easter, stay-at-home. Don’t travel, and certainly don’t travel unnecessarily,” Cook says.“We want to make sure that people get the message that this Easter, stay-at-home. Don’t travel, and certainly don’t travel unnecessarily,” Cook says.
Cook speaks about the Artania: “While the cruise ship remains in WA waters, the ship is under the control of the commonwealth,” he says.Cook speaks about the Artania: “While the cruise ship remains in WA waters, the ship is under the control of the commonwealth,” he says.
“The WA Department of Health maintains a watching brief at this stage and we continue to liaise with the commonwealth to assist them with any patients or any passengers or crew that need hospitalisation.”“The WA Department of Health maintains a watching brief at this stage and we continue to liaise with the commonwealth to assist them with any patients or any passengers or crew that need hospitalisation.”
He says the ship is in lockdown for an isolation period of 14 days and the remaining crew on board are isolated to their cabins.He says the ship is in lockdown for an isolation period of 14 days and the remaining crew on board are isolated to their cabins.
“Obviously they have been on the boat now for quite a while, and we want to just simply have them quarantined to their quarters, isolating from each other, and they will undertake a period of self-isolation until we can be satisfied that there is no further potential outbreaks on board the ship,” Cook says.“Obviously they have been on the boat now for quite a while, and we want to just simply have them quarantined to their quarters, isolating from each other, and they will undertake a period of self-isolation until we can be satisfied that there is no further potential outbreaks on board the ship,” Cook says.
“At that stage, we would like to see the ship move away from Australian waters, but that is under the control of the commonwealth.”“At that stage, we would like to see the ship move away from Australian waters, but that is under the control of the commonwealth.”
Cook says one of the new cases was in the Kimberley region. He says three medical teams have been deployed to the region, which is subject to tough travel restrictions. They will work with frontline staff already there.Cook says one of the new cases was in the Kimberley region. He says three medical teams have been deployed to the region, which is subject to tough travel restrictions. They will work with frontline staff already there.
Roger Cook, Western Australia’s health minister, is now speaking.Roger Cook, Western Australia’s health minister, is now speaking.
He says there were 14 new cases of Covid-19 overnight, nine of which are Western Australian and the remaining five are related to the Artania cruise ship.He says there were 14 new cases of Covid-19 overnight, nine of which are Western Australian and the remaining five are related to the Artania cruise ship.
The patients are aged between 26 and 84.The patients are aged between 26 and 84.
Kelly is asked a question about why they are not recommending mask use for the broader public. He says one reason is the supply constraints.Kelly is asked a question about why they are not recommending mask use for the broader public. He says one reason is the supply constraints.
He says the other is that “using a mask incorrectly can actually make it more dangerous”.He says the other is that “using a mask incorrectly can actually make it more dangerous”.
“If you are not used to wearing a mask, it can become quite uncomfortable, even claustrophobic,” he says.“If you are not used to wearing a mask, it can become quite uncomfortable, even claustrophobic,” he says.
“And indeed, it can become quite itchy underneath the mask. So touching a surface with the virus, scratching yourself underneath the mask, can in fact increase your risk rather than decrease your risk.”“And indeed, it can become quite itchy underneath the mask. So touching a surface with the virus, scratching yourself underneath the mask, can in fact increase your risk rather than decrease your risk.”
Kelly is saying authorities are still not recommending the use of masks broadly in the community because of pressure on supplies.Kelly is saying authorities are still not recommending the use of masks broadly in the community because of pressure on supplies.
“For the moment, mask use is not recommended for the Australian public, and we can continue to look at ways, and indeed we are actively looking at ways of thinking about mask use into the future,” he says.“For the moment, mask use is not recommended for the Australian public, and we can continue to look at ways, and indeed we are actively looking at ways of thinking about mask use into the future,” he says.
Kelly says while there are promising signs some of the measures taken to reduce physical contact are working, we need to remain “vigilant”.Kelly says while there are promising signs some of the measures taken to reduce physical contact are working, we need to remain “vigilant”.
“I really would caution against thinking we have got through this completely, because we definitely have not, and we really have to be hypervigilant now in collecting the information and making some decisions about what that means in terms of the people that are getting infected, the people that are getting sick, those that are using a hospital system, those that need to be admitted to intensive care, and so on,” he says.“I really would caution against thinking we have got through this completely, because we definitely have not, and we really have to be hypervigilant now in collecting the information and making some decisions about what that means in terms of the people that are getting infected, the people that are getting sick, those that are using a hospital system, those that need to be admitted to intensive care, and so on,” he says.
He acknowledges the measures are tough.He acknowledges the measures are tough.
“Many people have been separated from loved ones,” he says. In my own family, there are people in New York, in the UK, in Italy. They cannot be seeing their parents at the moment, my siblings. So these are tricky times,” he says.“Many people have been separated from loved ones,” he says. In my own family, there are people in New York, in the UK, in Italy. They cannot be seeing their parents at the moment, my siblings. So these are tricky times,” he says.
“And it is a difficult balancing act, which we will continue to be led by the data and information that we are gathering, experiences we are gathering from other parts of the world, for some months.”“And it is a difficult balancing act, which we will continue to be led by the data and information that we are gathering, experiences we are gathering from other parts of the world, for some months.”
The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, is speaking.The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, is speaking.
He speaks first about the “unfortunate” rise in deaths in the past 24 hours, up by five to 30.He speaks first about the “unfortunate” rise in deaths in the past 24 hours, up by five to 30.
He says the good news is that daily increases in new infections are less than they were a week ago.He says the good news is that daily increases in new infections are less than they were a week ago.
Labor has welcomed some of those changes the government has announced for temporary visa holders and migrant workers.Labor has welcomed some of those changes the government has announced for temporary visa holders and migrant workers.
Labor had been calling for relaxed conditions for “trapped” temporary visa holders in Australia thrown into chaos by global travel bans and border closures.Labor had been calling for relaxed conditions for “trapped” temporary visa holders in Australia thrown into chaos by global travel bans and border closures.
The conditions announced today include allowing backpackers to extend their visas and allowing temporary visa holders to access their superannuation.The conditions announced today include allowing backpackers to extend their visas and allowing temporary visa holders to access their superannuation.
“The government has implemented Labor’s calls to relax the requirements for fully qualified nurses in Australia on working holiday maker (WHM) visas to be able to continue working in hospitals rather than being forced to meet visa requirements – such as completing “specified work” often picking fruit,” Labor’s Kristina Keneally and Andrew Giles said in a statement.“The government has implemented Labor’s calls to relax the requirements for fully qualified nurses in Australia on working holiday maker (WHM) visas to be able to continue working in hospitals rather than being forced to meet visa requirements – such as completing “specified work” often picking fruit,” Labor’s Kristina Keneally and Andrew Giles said in a statement.
But they said the announcements today didn’t cover all temporary visa holders and migrant workers.But they said the announcements today didn’t cover all temporary visa holders and migrant workers.
“Labor remains concerned for the hundreds of thousands of temporary visa holders in Australia who are trapped here, who can’t go home, and are being forced out of their accommodation,” they said.“Labor remains concerned for the hundreds of thousands of temporary visa holders in Australia who are trapped here, who can’t go home, and are being forced out of their accommodation,” they said.
The United Workers Union, representing workers for Australia’s largest out of hours school care provider, is calling for extra protection for staff and children.The United Workers Union, representing workers for Australia’s largest out of hours school care provider, is calling for extra protection for staff and children.
In a letter to management signed by 61 staff, Camp Australia workers called for increased access to hand sanitiser, temperature checks for children, and lower children-to-staff ratios so workers could properly care for children while also maintaining social distancing requirements.In a letter to management signed by 61 staff, Camp Australia workers called for increased access to hand sanitiser, temperature checks for children, and lower children-to-staff ratios so workers could properly care for children while also maintaining social distancing requirements.
The United Workers Union says Camp Australia employees want staff currently not eligible for the jobkeeper payment under the government’s guidelines, “including international students and casuals who have been with the company for less than 12 months, to also receive the jobkeeper payment”.The United Workers Union says Camp Australia employees want staff currently not eligible for the jobkeeper payment under the government’s guidelines, “including international students and casuals who have been with the company for less than 12 months, to also receive the jobkeeper payment”.
Good afternoon everyone, Lisa Cox, here, taking over the blog from Melissa Davey.Good afternoon everyone, Lisa Cox, here, taking over the blog from Melissa Davey.
The ABC is reporting about 50 Qantas and Jetstar staff, including pilots and cabin crew, have tested positive for coronavirus.The ABC is reporting about 50 Qantas and Jetstar staff, including pilots and cabin crew, have tested positive for coronavirus.
The company’s medical officer Russell Brown yesterday told staff that, in addition to previously announced cases of baggage handlers, the airlines’ numbers included eight pilots and 19 cabin crew, according to the ABC.The company’s medical officer Russell Brown yesterday told staff that, in addition to previously announced cases of baggage handlers, the airlines’ numbers included eight pilots and 19 cabin crew, according to the ABC.
“Most of those were from overseas, but they were taking the precautions,” Dr Brown said via a webinar.“Most of those were from overseas, but they were taking the precautions,” Dr Brown said via a webinar.
“They are wearing masks when flying and being careful, and we’re still seeing these cases.“They are wearing masks when flying and being careful, and we’re still seeing these cases.
“When you’re dealing with a community that has more spread, the risk goes up, and we have to start thinking about what’s going on here.”“When you’re dealing with a community that has more spread, the risk goes up, and we have to start thinking about what’s going on here.”
Thanks so much for joining me for Guardian Australia’s live coverage throughout the day. I am about to handover to my colleague Lisa Cox to take you through the afternoon. It has been quite an eventful Saturday, with a few key announcements. To recap:Thanks so much for joining me for Guardian Australia’s live coverage throughout the day. I am about to handover to my colleague Lisa Cox to take you through the afternoon. It has been quite an eventful Saturday, with a few key announcements. To recap:
Cases in Australia have exceeded 5,500 and there are now 30 deaths after ACT Health reported on Saturday a man in his 80s died at Canberra Hospital. The ACT has had two deaths overall and 93 cases.Cases in Australia have exceeded 5,500 and there are now 30 deaths after ACT Health reported on Saturday a man in his 80s died at Canberra Hospital. The ACT has had two deaths overall and 93 cases.
Amid being called on to resign the NSW health minister Brad Hazzard has strongly defended the handling of the Ruby Princess cruise ship saga by senior health department officials.Amid being called on to resign the NSW health minister Brad Hazzard has strongly defended the handling of the Ruby Princess cruise ship saga by senior health department officials.
Changes to visa arrangements have been made. International students working in aged care, as nurses and in supermarkets have had the amount of hours they can work extended to support critical sectors. New Zealanders who are on 444 visas and arrived before 26 February 2001 will have access to welfare payments and the jobkeeper payment. Temporary skilled visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. They will also be able to access up to $10,000 superannuation this financial year.Changes to visa arrangements have been made. International students working in aged care, as nurses and in supermarkets have had the amount of hours they can work extended to support critical sectors. New Zealanders who are on 444 visas and arrived before 26 February 2001 will have access to welfare payments and the jobkeeper payment. Temporary skilled visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. They will also be able to access up to $10,000 superannuation this financial year.
Stay safe, and inside.Stay safe, and inside.
Some tragic news from the UK overnight, where two nurses have died after acquiring Covid-19.Some tragic news from the UK overnight, where two nurses have died after acquiring Covid-19.
Areema Nasreen, a 36-year-old NHS nurse from Walsall in the West Midlands, who was believed to have had no underlying health issues, died shortly after midnight on Thursday in intensive care at Walsall Manor hospital, where she had worked for 16 years. Tributes were also paid to another NHS nurse, mother of three Aimee O’Rourke, who is is believed to have contracted the virus before she died.Areema Nasreen, a 36-year-old NHS nurse from Walsall in the West Midlands, who was believed to have had no underlying health issues, died shortly after midnight on Thursday in intensive care at Walsall Manor hospital, where she had worked for 16 years. Tributes were also paid to another NHS nurse, mother of three Aimee O’Rourke, who is is believed to have contracted the virus before she died.
You can read more here.You can read more here.
We are expecting the WA premier Mark McGowan to give an update at about 2.15pm AEDT, or 11.15am AWST. Here’s where the situation in WA was as of Friday evening:We are expecting the WA premier Mark McGowan to give an update at about 2.15pm AEDT, or 11.15am AWST. Here’s where the situation in WA was as of Friday evening:
I put out a call asking for your home gardening projects that you’ve been working on in isolation and got some pretty lovely examples in response. While there are many tough aspects of having to stay home, it looks like some of you are using it as a chance to grow veggies and acquire a green thumb. Here are some of the best responses - thanks for sharing!I put out a call asking for your home gardening projects that you’ve been working on in isolation and got some pretty lovely examples in response. While there are many tough aspects of having to stay home, it looks like some of you are using it as a chance to grow veggies and acquire a green thumb. Here are some of the best responses - thanks for sharing!