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Australia coronavirus update live: Victoria extends state of emergency as travellers fly in from cruise nightmare – latest news Australia coronavirus update live: Victoria extends state of emergency as travellers fly in from cruise nightmare – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Premier Daniel Andrews says state of emergency will be extended for a further four weeks as Australians trapped on Antarctic cruise ship arrive in Melbourne. Follow updates livePremier Daniel Andrews says state of emergency will be extended for a further four weeks as Australians trapped on Antarctic cruise ship arrive in Melbourne. Follow updates live
Nine Newspapers is reporting that we could have been a year closer to a vaccine for coronavirus, had an Australian research lab not had its funding cut a few years ago by a US government agency:
The NT government is advising people if they’re entering the NT by sea, they’ll need to isolate for 14 days.
They must go directly to Darwin Harbour if arriving from overseas, or Nhulunbuy Port or Darwin Harbour if arriving from interstate.
Unlike other jurisdictions in Australia, although the NT government will select where they’re quarantined, those who enter the territory will have to pay for their accommodation.
Anyone who breaches quarantine will be fined $1,099.
The NSW Poisons Information Centre has reported an increase in calls about poisoning after people (generally children) have ingested hand sanitiser.
The centre is advising parents to keep hand sanitiser out of reach of children, and to be careful with home-made sanitiser, which can be more poisonous.
Minor ingestions can be managed at home, but the centre says calling in first is important.
Has the coronavirus pandemic made us rethink how much Australia produces?
Via AAP:
The Queensland government has announced $17m to fund 465 community kindergartens to stay open through term 2 and support around 22,000 children with free kindergarten.
This is on top of the $90m normally provided by the state government every year.
In addition to paying the wages of the 2,754 teachers and educators at the kindergarten, the government will also waive regulation fees.
Andrew Giles, the shadow minister for cities and multicultural affairs, has penned an interesting piece arguing that the Covid-19 shutdowns could be a chance to reboot the national conversation on loneliness because we’re all stuck inside at the same time.First, his statement of the problem:Andrew Giles, the shadow minister for cities and multicultural affairs, has penned an interesting piece arguing that the Covid-19 shutdowns could be a chance to reboot the national conversation on loneliness because we’re all stuck inside at the same time.First, his statement of the problem:
Giles writes about the fact schools, workplaces, universities, sport, book clubs, nightclubs and aged care facilities are either shut down, operating remotely or under new restrictions limiting physical closeness to others.Giles writes about the fact schools, workplaces, universities, sport, book clubs, nightclubs and aged care facilities are either shut down, operating remotely or under new restrictions limiting physical closeness to others.
And how might it change the conversation? He concludes:And how might it change the conversation? He concludes:
Good afternoon everyone.Good afternoon everyone.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has joined the International Monetary Fund in a Covid-19-related role.Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has joined the International Monetary Fund in a Covid-19-related role.
Via AAP:Via AAP:
Thanks all. I’m going to hand over to my colleague Josh Taylor now.Thanks all. I’m going to hand over to my colleague Josh Taylor now.
We’ve sadly heard of three deaths today, taking the number of people who have died from Covid-19 in Australia to 59.We’ve sadly heard of three deaths today, taking the number of people who have died from Covid-19 in Australia to 59.
Please let your remaining Easter Sunday be physically distanced and safe.Please let your remaining Easter Sunday be physically distanced and safe.
The Labor treasury spokesman, Jim Chalmers, has responded to Josh Frydenberg’s warning that his discretion to expand eligibility for the $130bn jobkeeper wage subsidy program is only for “unforeseen circumstances”.The Labor treasury spokesman, Jim Chalmers, has responded to Josh Frydenberg’s warning that his discretion to expand eligibility for the $130bn jobkeeper wage subsidy program is only for “unforeseen circumstances”.
Chalmers told reporters in Brisbane:Chalmers told reporters in Brisbane:
Let’s run through where we’re at on Easter Sunday.Let’s run through where we’re at on Easter Sunday.
Australia has 6,289 confirmed cases and 59 people have died from the virus, 16 of which were passengers on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.Australia has 6,289 confirmed cases and 59 people have died from the virus, 16 of which were passengers on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
The country’s 57th death, another passenger from that cruise ship, was confirmed this morning in South Australia.The country’s 57th death, another passenger from that cruise ship, was confirmed this morning in South Australia.
The 58th death was confirmed from Tasmania this morning. A woman in her 70s died.The 58th death was confirmed from Tasmania this morning. A woman in her 70s died.
The nation’s 59th death was announced in NSW – an 82-year-old man died overnight at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.The nation’s 59th death was announced in NSW – an 82-year-old man died overnight at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Some 112 passengers from the Antarctic cruise ship the Greg Mortimer touched down in Melbourne and, after medical checks, are headed for quarantine. About 16 New Zealanders went straight onto a smaller plane to return home.Some 112 passengers from the Antarctic cruise ship the Greg Mortimer touched down in Melbourne and, after medical checks, are headed for quarantine. About 16 New Zealanders went straight onto a smaller plane to return home.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg warned it was “very dangerous and unrealistic” to loosen restrictions on movement ahead of medical advice.Treasurer Josh Frydenberg warned it was “very dangerous and unrealistic” to loosen restrictions on movement ahead of medical advice.
Victoria extended its state of emergency for four more weeks, to 11 May.Victoria extended its state of emergency for four more weeks, to 11 May.
A drop in testing over the Easter weekend may have influenced the number of new cases being reported today – Victoria reported 3, Qld 12, ACT zero, NSW 7.A drop in testing over the Easter weekend may have influenced the number of new cases being reported today – Victoria reported 3, Qld 12, ACT zero, NSW 7.
Education minister Dan Tehan said costs for short courses in universities and tertiary settings would be cut, and he guaranteed no funding cuts for universities.Education minister Dan Tehan said costs for short courses in universities and tertiary settings would be cut, and he guaranteed no funding cuts for universities.
AAP reports that an 82-year-old man died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in NSW overnight, brining the total number of deaths from Covid-19 to 24.AAP reports that an 82-year-old man died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in NSW overnight, brining the total number of deaths from Covid-19 to 24.
NSW Health acting director Dr Christine Selvey said the man was in contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case and was not linked to the Ruby Princess cruise ship.NSW Health acting director Dr Christine Selvey said the man was in contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case and was not linked to the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
There have been no new cases of Covid-19 reported in the ACT, which has 102 confirmed cases – one less than yesterday after further tests on one previously confirmed case.There have been no new cases of Covid-19 reported in the ACT, which has 102 confirmed cases – one less than yesterday after further tests on one previously confirmed case.
There are three people in Canberra hospitals and 67 people have recovered and been released from self-isolation. The state has previously confirmed two deaths from the disease.There are three people in Canberra hospitals and 67 people have recovered and been released from self-isolation. The state has previously confirmed two deaths from the disease.
In a statement, acting ACT chief health officer Dr Vanessa Johnston thanked Canberrans for their efforts in helping flatten the curve. She said:In a statement, acting ACT chief health officer Dr Vanessa Johnston thanked Canberrans for their efforts in helping flatten the curve. She said:
My colleague Anne Davies also has some information on some changes announced by the NSW government to the way people can get their prescriptions.My colleague Anne Davies also has some information on some changes announced by the NSW government to the way people can get their prescriptions.
To prevent older people from having to leave their homes, doctors will be able to prescribe medicines in NSW via email or fax from April 17.To prevent older people from having to leave their homes, doctors will be able to prescribe medicines in NSW via email or fax from April 17.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the NSW government changes announced today GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to send a digital image of the prescription. Hazzard said:Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the NSW government changes announced today GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to send a digital image of the prescription. Hazzard said:
Scripts will only be able to be sent by email or fax rather than via text to a pharmacy, to stop potential prescription forgery and diversion to the criminal supply chain.Scripts will only be able to be sent by email or fax rather than via text to a pharmacy, to stop potential prescription forgery and diversion to the criminal supply chain.
NSW health minister Brad Hazzard and health authorities in the state have been updating us on the number of cases – and there’s been some adjustments to their numbers around the fringes, due to people moving back and forth between states.
The state now has 2,854 confirmed cases – including seven added from yesterday – and Hazzard pointed out that 1,206 of those were people under 40.
But health officers said this small rise could be down to a drop in the numbers of tests being carried out over the Easter weekend.
On Saturday, there were only 840 tests carried out, when usually that daily number has been between 3,000 and 4,000.
Hazzard also raised concerns about people’s mental health and encouraged residents to go out an exercise and “build up vitamin D” but they needed to make sure they were still keeping a safe distance from others. He wanted people to look out for each other.
As the deadline approaches on Monday for people getting the jobseeker payment to get the additional $750 economic support payment, Services Australia says it is working to ensure everyone is able to get their claim in.
Over 200,000 jobseeker claims have been processed so far. For those still waiting for a call back from Services Australia, or are worried they missed a call, Services Australia say they can call the dedicated jobseeker line (132 850) on Monday from 9am to 5pm to check their claim.
Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said in a statement: “If customers miss a call from us or the line disconnects, we encourage them to call us on this line. We are working with our telephony provider to address cases where this has occurred.”
Services Australia has put on 6,200 more staff for call centres to process claims, and has taken more than 1m calls so far.
People who haven’t registered their intent to claim by tomorrow will miss out on the $750 payment, but Jongen said if someone can’t complete their claim, Services Australia will work with them to ensure they are paid as soon as possible.
The increased jobseeker coronavirus supplement will be paid to all people on jobseeker from April 27.
Education minister Dan Tehan was promoting an alternative binge earlier this morning, saying there would be a cut in the costs of diplomas and short courses.
So “rather than bingeing on Netflix” people could “binge on studying” instead, Tehan said.
There wasn’t too much detail, but in a release to media Tehan and skills minister Senator Michaelia Cash said the cost to study short courses including “nursing, teaching, health, IT and science” would be cut.
The courses would start at the beginning of May and will initially run for six months.
Tehan told reporters:
Tehan also said the government would guarantee funding for universities at current levels. There’s already been some reaction to that.
My colleague Paul Karp says Universities Australia chair, Deborah Terry, has welcomed the “first step” but warned even with the guarantee, there will be a tough road ahead. She said:
My colleague Paul Karp has a full story now on the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s interview on the ABC this morning.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state now has 98 confirmed cases of Covid-19, an increase of 12 since Saturday.
The total had been revised down from yesterday, she said. There are 12 people in intensive care in the state.
Palaszczuk had a “big thank you” to Queenslanders who were “absolutely doing the right thing” this Easter weekend.
Tasmania’s premier Peter Gutwein has confirmed a fifth death from Covid-19 in the state – a woman in her 70s.
That puts the national death toll at 58.
AAP reports that the woman died in the North West Regional Hospital. Gutwein confirmed this on Sunday and offered condolences.
“It’s again a stark reminder that this virus is deadly, it’s taken lives and as I said it will take more yet,” he said.
Gutwein also said there had been 11 new cases of the coronavirus from the state’s northwest.
The state has a total of 133 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 11 new cases in north-west Tasmania, where health authorities are working to contain an outbreak of the virus.
Thirty-eight of the state’s 133 confirmed cases have been linked to the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie, with 26 staff among them.
Gutwein hasn’t ruled out tougher measures to limit the spread of the virus in the north-west, including a lockdown of the region.
Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy is up now in Canberra with a positive update, some thank yous and some congratulations.
Australia now has 6,289 confirmed cases of Covid-19, he said.
We’ll try and find some clarification on that number because it is less than the 6292 that the government reported as of 3pm on Saturday.
Some 80 people are in intensive care with 36 people on ventilators, Murphy said. There have been 57 deaths.
Firstly, to the positive update.
Now the thank yous, directed first at Australians.
Murphy also had some words of thanks for frontline healthcare workers “but especially today, I want to recognise unsung heroes, and they are our public health workforce”.
Here are some images of the flight from Uruguay carrying Australian and New Zealand passengers from the stricken Antarctica cruise ship the Greg Mortimer.
A little bit more from Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, who also gave us some numbers from the state’s police service.
Victorian police have done 19,303 checks so far, and have issued about 900 fines including 92 in the past 24 hours.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is providing an update on Covid-19 with the news there have been only three more cases overnight, and no further deaths.
But Andrews announced the state of emergency would be extended for a further four weeks to 11 May.
Andrews said Victoria now had 1,268 confirmed cases, with 28 people currently in hospital with 16 in intensive care. There have been 14 deaths.
The low number of new cases was “very strong piece of evidence that our strategy is working” he said, but the restrictions would stay in place, citing the nightmare of New York’s recent daily death tolls of more than 1,200. He said: