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Coronavirus live news: Australia vaccine human trials to start, Trump wears mask in public Coronavirus live news: Australia vaccine human trials to start, Trump wears mask in public
(32 minutes later)
‘Molecular clamp’ jab from University of Queensland ‘ticked all the boxes’ in animal tests; Florida reopens Walt Disney World despite infection surge‘Molecular clamp’ jab from University of Queensland ‘ticked all the boxes’ in animal tests; Florida reopens Walt Disney World despite infection surge
Hong Kong health authorities have confirmed a record high number of locally-transmitted cases, about 50 of which can’t be traced to a previous infection.
Head of Hong Kong University’s school of medicine, Dr Gabriel Leung, told local media today that the reproductive number of the virus has risen to nearly four. This means every infected person could now be expected to pass it on to almost four others.
“Given the high baseline rate and [that] there is no sign of abatement of this trajectory and that real-time reproductive number of three to four, I think that we have now, or we have already entered Hong Kong’s first sustained local outbreak”, Leung said.
Some of the Australian statistics, shared by Coatsworth just now:
The number of cases confirmed in the 24 hours to noon is 279, of which 273 are in Victoria.
There have been five cases diagnosed in New South Wales, two of those individuals were in hotel quarantine and had acquired their infection overseas.
Three are local cases, who are household contacts of one of the people who contracted Covid-19 in south-west Sydney.
7,728 people have recovered from Covid-19 and in terms of current hospitalisation, 67 people are hospitalised and 17 of those are in intensive care units.
“It is critically important that if you were [at the Crossroads pub in Casula, NSW] during 3 July and 10 July, that you get yourself tested... including freight drivers, because that is a particular venue that is also frequented by people who do transnational freight driving.”
The New South Wales Health Department has recommended an increase in personal protective equipment for the hospitals in both local health districts around Casula.
“It’s possible the death toll will increase,” says Coatsworth.
But the measures being taken now are precisely to avoid seeing the kind of death tolls currently overseas, and the government has learned a lot since the first round of lockdowns, he says, including new medications, and new understandings of how to care for patients.
Coatsworth is asked about the Australian government Covid-19 app, which seeks to identify close contacts of people diagnosed.
There has been only one case in Victoria identified during contact tracing, who was then found to not be a significant contact. It’s not doing any better than the current extensive contact tracing being done by health workers.
He concedes there’s a significant difference between the 6.5m downloads of the app, and how many people actually have it running, and urges people to be more vigilant with it.
He says the more people who download and run the app the fewer transmissions of Covid-19 there will be. He says if you’re a supporter of mask wearing then you should be supportive of downloading and running the app.
Asked about any changing understandings about children in the virus (in the context of Victorian students in lockdown returning to remote learning) Coatsworth said the “overwhelming evidence around the world is that children are less affected by Covid-19”.Asked about any changing understandings about children in the virus (in the context of Victorian students in lockdown returning to remote learning) Coatsworth said the “overwhelming evidence around the world is that children are less affected by Covid-19”.
“There seems to be less onward transmission and therefore schools are safer from a Covid-19 perspective when compared to influenza, where children of that age are the main transmitters.”“There seems to be less onward transmission and therefore schools are safer from a Covid-19 perspective when compared to influenza, where children of that age are the main transmitters.”
He said the school closure are “primarily about the reduction of movement”.He said the school closure are “primarily about the reduction of movement”.
Australia’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is giving an update.Australia’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is giving an update.
Asked about the Casula outbreak in NSW, he says it would be “a very significant event” for the state to move towards the outbreak of a scale that it is in Victoria.Asked about the Casula outbreak in NSW, he says it would be “a very significant event” for the state to move towards the outbreak of a scale that it is in Victoria.
“We share the concern of the NSW Premier, which is why we are meeting on a daily basis to assist the Chief health officers of both states in developing their strategies and making sure that the small spot fires that have occurred in south-west Sydney are put out as quickly as possible.”“We share the concern of the NSW Premier, which is why we are meeting on a daily basis to assist the Chief health officers of both states in developing their strategies and making sure that the small spot fires that have occurred in south-west Sydney are put out as quickly as possible.”
Some more details from NSW, where authorities are working to track and trace cases clusters around a pub in Casula, while also working to ensure cases haven’t been brought in from Victoria (given recent school holiday activity).Some more details from NSW, where authorities are working to track and trace cases clusters around a pub in Casula, while also working to ensure cases haven’t been brought in from Victoria (given recent school holiday activity).
We posted earlier that authorities are now calling for anyone who went to the Crossroads hotel between 3 and 10 July to get tested. So far 400 people who were there on 3 July have been tested.We posted earlier that authorities are now calling for anyone who went to the Crossroads hotel between 3 and 10 July to get tested. So far 400 people who were there on 3 July have been tested.
A pop-up clinic at the hotel is open to 5pm, but extended-hours testing is also available at Liverpool, Campbelltown and Fairfield Hospitals (pdf), and at GP clinics.A pop-up clinic at the hotel is open to 5pm, but extended-hours testing is also available at Liverpool, Campbelltown and Fairfield Hospitals (pdf), and at GP clinics.
Additional testing clinics have also been set up in border areas and traveller areas of high demand, expected at Victorian traveller locations (i.e. Byron Bay, Ballina, Merimbula & NSW Ski fields), and Newcastle.Additional testing clinics have also been set up in border areas and traveller areas of high demand, expected at Victorian traveller locations (i.e. Byron Bay, Ballina, Merimbula & NSW Ski fields), and Newcastle.
There are 72 Covid-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with one in intensive care, the NSW government said. This person does not require a ventilator. In NSW, 2,799 people are known to have recovered from Covid-19.There are 72 Covid-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with one in intensive care, the NSW government said. This person does not require a ventilator. In NSW, 2,799 people are known to have recovered from Covid-19.
Western Australia has detected one new coronavirus case, bringing the state’s total to 635.Western Australia has detected one new coronavirus case, bringing the state’s total to 635.
WA now has 22 active Covid-19 cases, and all are returning travellers in mandatory hotel quarantine.WA now has 22 active Covid-19 cases, and all are returning travellers in mandatory hotel quarantine.
In a grim harking back to March, Australia is once again seeing moody photographs of major cities devoid of people.In a grim harking back to March, Australia is once again seeing moody photographs of major cities devoid of people.
Analysts forecast China will be the only major economy to experience positive growth this year - partly because it was first to be hit by Covid-19 and therefore first to recover.Analysts forecast China will be the only major economy to experience positive growth this year - partly because it was first to be hit by Covid-19 and therefore first to recover.
According to a poll of analysts conducted by Agence France Presse, China returned to growth in the second quarter after the coronavirus pandemic handed the world’s second largest economy its first contraction in decades.According to a poll of analysts conducted by Agence France Presse, China returned to growth in the second quarter after the coronavirus pandemic handed the world’s second largest economy its first contraction in decades.
The survey of analysts from 11 institutions pegged China’s growth at 1.3% - a far cry from the 6.1% expansion posted last year but in better shape than other countries still grappling with the contagion.The survey of analysts from 11 institutions pegged China’s growth at 1.3% - a far cry from the 6.1% expansion posted last year but in better shape than other countries still grappling with the contagion.
The coronavirus, which first emerged in China’s industrial central province of Hubei late last year, has shut businesses worldwide and destroyed hundreds of millions of jobs.The coronavirus, which first emerged in China’s industrial central province of Hubei late last year, has shut businesses worldwide and destroyed hundreds of millions of jobs.
China is expected to post 1.7% growth for the full year, according to the economists surveyed by AFP, compared with IMF forecasts of a global contraction.China is expected to post 1.7% growth for the full year, according to the economists surveyed by AFP, compared with IMF forecasts of a global contraction.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 248 to 198,804, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 248 to 198,804, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.
The reported Covid-19 death toll rose by three to 9,063, the tally showed.The reported Covid-19 death toll rose by three to 9,063, the tally showed.
One new case has been reported in New Zealand, a woman in her 20s who flew in from Rome, via Doha and Sydney, last week. The ministry of health said she had been in managed isolation at the Christchurch Commodore Airport Hotel and is now in quarantine.One new case has been reported in New Zealand, a woman in her 20s who flew in from Rome, via Doha and Sydney, last week. The ministry of health said she had been in managed isolation at the Christchurch Commodore Airport Hotel and is now in quarantine.
It has been 72 days since the last case of Covid-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source.It has been 72 days since the last case of Covid-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source.
New Zealand has had 1,194 confirmed cases, 25 of which remain active (none are receiving hospital level care).New Zealand has had 1,194 confirmed cases, 25 of which remain active (none are receiving hospital level care).
More than 60 US marines based on Japan’s island of Okinawa have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in recent days, but officials say they were only told on Sunday.
The governor of Okinawa has demanded a top US military commander take tougher prevention measures and more transparency, as the exact figures were disclosed only after repeated requests, the AP has reported.
Okinawan officials on Sunday reported a total of 61 cases since 7 July. 38 of them are at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is at the centre of a relocation dispute, and another 23 at Camp Hansen.
They said that US military officials told them the two bases have since been put in lockdown.
Okinawa has had about 150 cases of the coronavirus. In all, Japan has had about 21,000 cases and 1,000 deaths, with Tokyo reporting more than 200 new cases for a third straight day Saturday.
Gov. Denny Tamaki, in telephone talks late Saturday with Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, demanded the U.S military increase disease prevention measures to maximum levels, stop sending personnel from the mainland U.S. to Okinawa and seal the bases, as well as provide more transparency.
“Okinawans are shocked by what we were told (by the US military),” Tamaki told a news conference Saturday.
“It is extremely regrettable that the infections are rapidly spreading among US personnel when we Okinawans are doing our utmost to contain the infections,” he said.
“We now have strong doubts that the US military has taken adequate disease prevention measure.”
Adding to their concern is quarantining of an unidentified number of American service members arriving from the mainland US for ongoing staff rotations at an off-base hotel due to shortage of space on base, officials said.
The Marines saidthe troops were taking additional protective measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus and were restricting off-base activities, and those who tested positive were in isolation.
Okinawa is home to more than half of about 50,000 American troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact, and the residents are sensitive to US base-related problems.
The state of Queensland saw no new confirmed cases on Saturday. It currently has three active cases, out of a total of 1,070 since the outbreak began. Six were fatal.
The Andrews press conference has finished. AAP has helpfully covered the concurrent NSW press conference with premier Gladys Berejiklian, including the new charges for people returning from overseas and going into mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine.
From Saturday, for all arrivals on tickets bought from midnight Monday, the first adult in each travelling party will be charged $3000. Subsequent adults will be billed $1000, each child $500 while kids under three will continue to be free.
Exemptions will be permitted in some circumstances.
Berejiklian said the state had the opportunity to clamp down on community transmission or go the way of Victoria.
“We are definitely at a crossroads in NSW,” she told reporters. “If you wake up with a scratchy throat, don’t go to work. Get tested.”
NSW reported five new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, including three household contacts of a patron who went to the Crossroads pub in Casula.
Authorities have now told every person who visited the pub between 3-10 July to self-isolate after a staffer tested positive to coronavirus.
The 18-year-old staffer was confirmed as the sixth case in The Crossroads Hotel cluster, leading to the NSW chief health officer to significantly expand the self-isolation advice, which was previously only people who went there on 3 July.
“We do not think the staff member was the source,” Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Sunday.
“He worked for a number of days, he did work on the third (and) on subsequent days.”
Some 1,200 people have been tested at the pop-up clinic at the pub since Friday.
All patrons must self-isolate until 14 days after their last visit to the hotel, regardless of any test result.
“Even if you get a negative test, that does not mean you are out of the woods,” Dr Chant said.
“A negative result does not mean you can breach self-isolation.”
Andrews pre-empts anyone asking him about Scott Morrison going to an NRL game this weekend (it’s been compared to his hugely criticised holiday to Hawaii during the bushfire crisis).
“I’ve got better things to worry about than who went to the footy in NSW.”
Here is the government information sheet on Victorian students returning to remote learning. There has been some confusion from the press conference, but this clarifies that the return to remote learning is for students living in the stage three lockdown areas only. Not regional and remote Victorian students.
In response to reports that schools want to force students to wear masks, Sutton says:
“I would say that masks are useful, I would make it clear that students who are unwell shouldn’t be in the classroom. We need to empower all the youth in Victoria. That includes the year 11 and 12, year 10 VC students and to follow the stay-at-home directions.”
From chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton:
There are 145 cases linked to North Melbourne and Flemington public housing towers, although he thinks the true number is greater, and they’ll have more detailed figures later today.
22 cases are linked to public housing in Carlton
Four cases are linked to Lamann supermarket in Essendon
Two cases linked to Fox Distribution in Truganina
Four cases linked to JBS abattoir
Two linked to Box Hill Hospital
11 linked to Brunswick Private Hospital
11 to men of Rock aged-care facility
Eight linked to Alfred Hospital
On the public housing towers, Sutton says:
“I should say it has been a very challenging operation, but having spoken to community members in the last couple of days, and I am seeing them again today, they are the glue that has actually held this whole operation together.
There have been really committed responses by multiple agencies but the communities in these towers have the wisdom and intelligence and they know the needs of their own community members, their families, their extended networks and they have been really critical in identifying the needs more broadly across those towers and there been instrumental in making this work.”
The deputy premier is giving more details on further support:
Early childhood education will remain open, as it was during term two. But in acknowledgement of how tough this is for parents, the government will provide free kinder for eligible sessional kindergartners in term three (a cost of about $460 per child) in Melbourne Metro and Mitchell Shire. For those outside the region, they’ll provide half the cost of the parent subsidy.
Victorian students in the stage three lockdown areas, from prep to year 10, are going back to remote learning from 20 July until at least 19 August. There was no other choice, says Andrews. His main points:
From tomorrow, Year 11 and 12 students in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will return to face-to-face learning.
Year 10 students who are undertaking VCAL subjects, they will be back at school for facer face learning as well.
Specialist schools are face-to-face learning as well.
The rest of metropolitan kids in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will return to remote learning.
There are no changes across regional Victoria. They will return to normal schooling on 20 July.
There will be special arrangements for the children of people who can’t work from home, and for students with special needs who attend mainstream schools.
Andrews is urging Victorians to cooperate with the lockdown currently imposed on Greater Melbourne for the next six weeks, and to stay home if they don’t absolutely need to go out.