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Australia coronavirus live update: Covidsafe app downloads reach 5.5m as Victoria begins easing lockdown restrictions – latest news Australia coronavirus live update: Covidsafe app downloads reach 5.5m as Victoria begins easing Covid-19 restrictions – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Deputy CMO says there are ‘very serious risks’ from overcrowding as Victoria plans to lift lockdown rules and another Newmarch resident dies after testing negative. Follow all the latest news, liveDeputy CMO says there are ‘very serious risks’ from overcrowding as Victoria plans to lift lockdown rules and another Newmarch resident dies after testing negative. Follow all the latest news, live
NSW’s public schools have seen in-person attendance up 21 percentage points since last Friday.
Today, on the first school day since the federal government unveiled its three step plan to easing restrictions, 37% of students attended school in person, and 63% learned remotely.
On Friday, there were only 16% of students on school grounds and 84% at home.
61% of primary students and 74% of secondary students were not on site today, the NSW education department said.
Fast food chain Hungry Jacks is urging its customers to download the Covidsafe app (via push notification).
This follows earlier reports that McDonalds was doing the same last week.
And the assistant treasurer, Michael Sukkar, has confirmed that processing of applications has resumed today.
He says more than 1.2 million people have applied for early access for a total value of over $10bn.
“As the ATO advised superannuation funds last week, it paused the processing of applications for one day to further enhance its systems in response to new techniques criminals are using to try to steal Australians’ identities,” Sukkar said.
“The ATO has identified a small number of third parties who could be susceptible to criminal activity. The ATO is working with these third parties to help them make security enhancements.”
The Australian Tax Office has provided an update on the freeze over the weekend of early access to superannuation after an alleged fraud of $120,000 from 150 workers’ retirement savings.The Australian Tax Office has provided an update on the freeze over the weekend of early access to superannuation after an alleged fraud of $120,000 from 150 workers’ retirement savings.
An ATO spokesperson told Guardian Australia:An ATO spokesperson told Guardian Australia:
The deputy chief medical officer Prof Michael Kidd is now on the ABC being interviewed by Patricia Karvelas.The deputy chief medical officer Prof Michael Kidd is now on the ABC being interviewed by Patricia Karvelas.
Kidd says that the government is not aiming for “elimination”, where new cases of Covid-19 are zero, but is aiming for “suppression”. He says the stages of reopening the country could see infection rates increase.Kidd says that the government is not aiming for “elimination”, where new cases of Covid-19 are zero, but is aiming for “suppression”. He says the stages of reopening the country could see infection rates increase.
“We’re looking at cautious steps and each of those steps needs to be given time to see what the response will be, if we do see significant increases in the number of new infections,” he says.“We’re looking at cautious steps and each of those steps needs to be given time to see what the response will be, if we do see significant increases in the number of new infections,” he says.
“At the moment we have less than 20 infections being diagnosed right across the country each day, so Australia is in a very good position at the moment and we want to keep to it that way.“At the moment we have less than 20 infections being diagnosed right across the country each day, so Australia is in a very good position at the moment and we want to keep to it that way.
“But we’re not moving towards being able to eliminate the virus in Australia. We’re suppressing the virus and recognising we may get a small number of infections each day.”“But we’re not moving towards being able to eliminate the virus in Australia. We’re suppressing the virus and recognising we may get a small number of infections each day.”
In non-coronavirus news, police have opposed the bail request of the Melbourne Porsche driver accused of speeding and verbally abusing a dying police officer.In non-coronavirus news, police have opposed the bail request of the Melbourne Porsche driver accused of speeding and verbally abusing a dying police officer.
Richard Pusey was earlier today charged with three additional charges, and police told the court that Pusey was a serial speedster with “violent tendencies”, AAP reports.Richard Pusey was earlier today charged with three additional charges, and police told the court that Pusey was a serial speedster with “violent tendencies”, AAP reports.
The magistrate will decide on Pusey’s bail application on Thursday.The magistrate will decide on Pusey’s bail application on Thursday.
There are 49 people in hospital from Covid-19, 16 of whom are in intensive care, and 14 people on ventilators.There are 49 people in hospital from Covid-19, 16 of whom are in intensive care, and 14 people on ventilators.
6,179 people have recovered from Covid-19, Kidd says. And Australia has conducted over 855,000 tests in total.6,179 people have recovered from Covid-19, Kidd says. And Australia has conducted over 855,000 tests in total.
Kidd is asked whether the start of cold weather in Australia could increase transmission rates.Kidd is asked whether the start of cold weather in Australia could increase transmission rates.
He says the limits on indoor gatherings are crucial during winter.He says the limits on indoor gatherings are crucial during winter.
“We don’t understand exactly what the impact of the weather has on transmission rates for Covid-19,” he says. “Clearly, as the weather gets colder, people tend to crowd more, we may get more crowding on public transport, or inside, in venues.“We don’t understand exactly what the impact of the weather has on transmission rates for Covid-19,” he says. “Clearly, as the weather gets colder, people tend to crowd more, we may get more crowding on public transport, or inside, in venues.
“The mechanisms put in place to maintain physical distancing, to reduce the number of people to 4 sq metres in each venue, are incredibly important.”“The mechanisms put in place to maintain physical distancing, to reduce the number of people to 4 sq metres in each venue, are incredibly important.”
There are now 5.5 million registered people on the Covidsafe app, Kidd says. He adds that it is now fully “operational and working”.There are now 5.5 million registered people on the Covidsafe app, Kidd says. He adds that it is now fully “operational and working”.
However, the contact-tracing departments of the states and territories have only just completed their training with it, and they won’t be able to use that data for a few days.However, the contact-tracing departments of the states and territories have only just completed their training with it, and they won’t be able to use that data for a few days.
“It is operational and working so if you have it on your phone, it will be recording the details of people you have been in close contact with, encrypting those details and storing them on your phone,” he says.“It is operational and working so if you have it on your phone, it will be recording the details of people you have been in close contact with, encrypting those details and storing them on your phone,” he says.
“The national cabinet on Friday agreed to national protocols for the use of the information being stored on the app, and training by disease detectives in each of the states and territories, has been completed today.“The national cabinet on Friday agreed to national protocols for the use of the information being stored on the app, and training by disease detectives in each of the states and territories, has been completed today.
“And we hope it will therefore start to be used by disease detectives over the next day or two across the country.”“And we hope it will therefore start to be used by disease detectives over the next day or two across the country.”
The deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd has issued a strong warning as states ease restrictions and people gradually start congregating more.The deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd has issued a strong warning as states ease restrictions and people gradually start congregating more.
“We have very serious risks if overcrowding starts to occur,” he says. “Covid-19 is still out there in our country.“We have very serious risks if overcrowding starts to occur,” he says. “Covid-19 is still out there in our country.
“This is not a time to become complacent,” he says. “Each of us needs to continue our strong commitment to maintaining physical distancing of 1.5m from other people whenever we are outside of our homes, and that means avoiding crowds whenever possible.“This is not a time to become complacent,” he says. “Each of us needs to continue our strong commitment to maintaining physical distancing of 1.5m from other people whenever we are outside of our homes, and that means avoiding crowds whenever possible.
“If you see a crowd, please go in the other direction.”“If you see a crowd, please go in the other direction.”
He adds: “Going into to a crowded workplace at this time would not be sensible”He adds: “Going into to a crowded workplace at this time would not be sensible”
The deputy chief medical officer, Michael Kidd, is now providing the daily coronavirus update.
There have been no new cases in the ACT, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, or Tasmania.
And you may have seen earlier today – and last week – my dispatches from the NSW special inquiry into the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
The inquiry wrapped up its sixth day of public hearings today. There will be more hearings and witnesses at some point in the future, but commissioner Bret Walker SC did not specify when. The next hearing dates will be put up on the website when they are ready, he said.
Over the past six hearings, spread over multiple weeks, we’ve heard evidence from the ship’s senior doctor on board, a NSW Health senior epidemiologist, the duty harbourmaster, the acting CEO of the NSW Port Authority, two paramedics, the Ruby Princess’s port agent, and a senior manager of Carnival Australia, who are the operators of the virus-hit ship.
The inquiry must complete its final report by 14 August.
Hi everyone, it’s Naaman Zhou here. Thanks to Amy Remeikis for her incredible work, as always.
Queensland’s new cabinet has just been sworn in, after the sudden resignation of deputy premier and treasurer Jackie Trad.
The ministers assembled at government house today with an appropriate 1.5 metre gap for the official photo, AAP reports.
One of the betting agencies is so desperate for punts, it is now taking bets on how often the prime minister will say “Australians” in his press conference.
Moving on.
That’s me done for the day – thank you so much for joining me. I’ll be back tomorrow morning with Covid and parliament in the one blog, so make sure you have your coffee ready for that.
I’ll leave you with the wonderful Naaman Zhou for the next part of the day. Thanks again – and take care of you.
The deputy chief medical officer, Prof Michael Kidd, will give today’s national update.
It won’t include the death of the Newmarch House resident because that person (we don’t know gender or age) had tested negative for Covid before they died, which would have put them in the “recovered” cases.
Exhibit A:
(And no, it is not lost on me that the network that made Evans a household name in a lot of households is now all whhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa....????)
That a health authority has to not only make this post, but have all the (zoom) meetings, sending up the chain requests, consult with departments and bother a scientist who is probably pretty busy doing things that actually matter, says everything about what has gone quite stupidly wrong in this country:
Paul Karp has the latest on the sports rorts saga – new evidence has emerged about five representations from the PMO.
Jacinda Ardern continued:
Jacinda Ardern says the NZ cabinet has met and agreed to relax restrictions even further: