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Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria records 270 new Covid-19 cases and NSW 13 cases Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria records 270 new Covid-19 cases and NSW 13 cases
(31 minutes later)
South Australia to keep border closed to NSW as Queensland introduces quarantine rule for parts of Sydney. Follow liveSouth Australia to keep border closed to NSW as Queensland introduces quarantine rule for parts of Sydney. Follow live
Dr Kirsty Short, a virologist at the University of Queensland, is speaking to the ABC. Short’s department is the main group working on a vaccine for Covid-19 in Australia. She says she feels “optimistic” they will have “something” at the start of 2021.
Here’s our afternoon update of the situation in Victoria, by my colleague Melissa Davey.
Kidd is asked about the usefulness of the government’s Covidsafe app. He says state and territory health departments say it is “useful”.
In a follow-up he’s asked about its use in multicultural communities.
Kidd is asked whether the 19 August date for the end of the lockdown in Melbourne is realistic given the current rate of community transmission in the city;Kidd is asked whether the 19 August date for the end of the lockdown in Melbourne is realistic given the current rate of community transmission in the city;
Kidd says health officials “remain very concerned about the outbreaks that we are seeing in residential aged care facilities in Melbourne”.Kidd says health officials “remain very concerned about the outbreaks that we are seeing in residential aged care facilities in Melbourne”.
“We recommend that all staff working in residential aged care facilities or providing home care support inVictoria in the areas under restriction where community transmission is occurring must be wearing a surgical mask when at work,” he says.“We recommend that all staff working in residential aged care facilities or providing home care support inVictoria in the areas under restriction where community transmission is occurring must be wearing a surgical mask when at work,” he says.
That measure was announced by federal health minister Greg Hunt yesterday.That measure was announced by federal health minister Greg Hunt yesterday.
Kidd says he expected the current contingent of more than 400 ADF personnel to remain in Victoria for at least the duration of Melbourne’s stage 3 restrictions. They are currently set to conclude on 19 August.Kidd says he expected the current contingent of more than 400 ADF personnel to remain in Victoria for at least the duration of Melbourne’s stage 3 restrictions. They are currently set to conclude on 19 August.
There have now been:There have now been:
10,251 Covid-19 cases in Australia.10,251 Covid-19 cases in Australia.
108 deaths.108 deaths.
294 cases in the past 24 hours.294 cases in the past 24 hours.
More than 90 hospitalisations, including 85 in Victoria.More than 90 hospitalisations, including 85 in Victoria.
44,500 tests carried out in the past 24 hours including 22,000 in Victoria.44,500 tests carried out in the past 24 hours including 22,000 in Victoria.
The deputy chief medical officer, Michael Kidd, is speaking in Canberra now. He tells us that in the past seven days only 4% of cases in Australia have been overseas acquired, which is, obviously quite a marked change from a fortnight ago.The deputy chief medical officer, Michael Kidd, is speaking in Canberra now. He tells us that in the past seven days only 4% of cases in Australia have been overseas acquired, which is, obviously quite a marked change from a fortnight ago.
Melbourne Theatre Company have just announced that it’s postponing its big-budget feelgood show for the year, the Simon Phillips-directed production of Shakespeare’s As You Like it, which was due to open in September.Melbourne Theatre Company have just announced that it’s postponing its big-budget feelgood show for the year, the Simon Phillips-directed production of Shakespeare’s As You Like it, which was due to open in September.
MTC artistic director Brett Sheehy said in a statement today that the company was “devastated”.MTC artistic director Brett Sheehy said in a statement today that the company was “devastated”.
“This production was the beacon at the end of the tunnel for us – a marvellous, uplifting show to mark our return to stage,” he said.“This production was the beacon at the end of the tunnel for us – a marvellous, uplifting show to mark our return to stage,” he said.
“Until recently we were optimistic about our return in September, but with the worsening situation in Melbourne there was no other option for us. The health and wellbeing of our community is paramount and we could not proceed with confidence that rehearsals or performances of As You Like It could be realised safely for our actors, creatives, staff and audiences.”“Until recently we were optimistic about our return in September, but with the worsening situation in Melbourne there was no other option for us. The health and wellbeing of our community is paramount and we could not proceed with confidence that rehearsals or performances of As You Like It could be realised safely for our actors, creatives, staff and audiences.”
The company had held off on confirming that the show would be put on ice, with executive director Virginia Lovett telling Guardian Australia last week that the company was “working through the impact of the lockdown on our plans for the rest of the year”.The company had held off on confirming that the show would be put on ice, with executive director Virginia Lovett telling Guardian Australia last week that the company was “working through the impact of the lockdown on our plans for the rest of the year”.
“This situation is ever changing and a serious challenge for MTC, our artists and the entire sector. It is uncharted territory,” she said.“This situation is ever changing and a serious challenge for MTC, our artists and the entire sector. It is uncharted territory,” she said.
Nine of MTC’s 12 shows this year have been affected by the coronavirus shutdowns, which the company said had meant the loss of 157 jobs for actors, creatives, makers and crew.Nine of MTC’s 12 shows this year have been affected by the coronavirus shutdowns, which the company said had meant the loss of 157 jobs for actors, creatives, makers and crew.
“This additional cancellation means the company is facing an $11m box-office shortfall along with prolonged hardship for our staff and artists,” said Lovett today.“This additional cancellation means the company is facing an $11m box-office shortfall along with prolonged hardship for our staff and artists,” said Lovett today.
“What we’re experiencing in the arts sector is shattering.”“What we’re experiencing in the arts sector is shattering.”
The company is calling for an extension of the jobkeeper subsidy to assist organisations through Lockdown 2.0.The company is calling for an extension of the jobkeeper subsidy to assist organisations through Lockdown 2.0.
As You Like It will be rescheduled for 2021.As You Like It will be rescheduled for 2021.
Good afternoon! Thanks as always to my colleague Calla Wahlquist for her work today. Important to note, however, that she is not the boss of me and I will touch as many large and vicious birds as I want to.Good afternoon! Thanks as always to my colleague Calla Wahlquist for her work today. Important to note, however, that she is not the boss of me and I will touch as many large and vicious birds as I want to.
The New South Wales opposition leader, Jodi McKay, is being helpful by criticising the premier, Gladys Berejiklian, for not declaring south-west Sydney a “hotspot” for the virus after the Crossroads Hotel cluster rose to 28 cases today.The New South Wales opposition leader, Jodi McKay, is being helpful by criticising the premier, Gladys Berejiklian, for not declaring south-west Sydney a “hotspot” for the virus after the Crossroads Hotel cluster rose to 28 cases today.
“The premier won’t declare South West Sydney a hotspot – but with a growing cluster of 28 and today’s new cases all from the region, the Berejiklian government must pull out all stops,” she said.“The premier won’t declare South West Sydney a hotspot – but with a growing cluster of 28 and today’s new cases all from the region, the Berejiklian government must pull out all stops,” she said.
“There is a Covid-19 hotspot forming in South West Sydney. The government must respond accordingly. Right now its response is woefully inadequate.“There is a Covid-19 hotspot forming in South West Sydney. The government must respond accordingly. Right now its response is woefully inadequate.
“Today, cars have been bumper to bumper for 1km around the Crossroads Hotel. We’ve got long waits in Prestons and long waits in Picton. These testing sites are overrun and woefully under-resourced. It’s the Berejiklian government’s job to fix this and ensure thousands of people get tested without delay.”“Today, cars have been bumper to bumper for 1km around the Crossroads Hotel. We’ve got long waits in Prestons and long waits in Picton. These testing sites are overrun and woefully under-resourced. It’s the Berejiklian government’s job to fix this and ensure thousands of people get tested without delay.”
I’m going to hand over to Michael McGowan to take you through the rest of the afternoon.I’m going to hand over to Michael McGowan to take you through the rest of the afternoon.
Take care, don’t pat any large birds, and I’ll see you in the morning.Take care, don’t pat any large birds, and I’ll see you in the morning.
The Menarock Life aged care facility in Essendon is in Maribyrnong, the electorate of Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten.The Menarock Life aged care facility in Essendon is in Maribyrnong, the electorate of Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten.
He told reporters in Melbourne that he wants all residents moved out of the aged care home and into hospital.He told reporters in Melbourne that he wants all residents moved out of the aged care home and into hospital.
Queensland police have warned that the new border restrictions against people who have been in two “hotspot” areas of southwest Sydney could lead to longer queues at the border.
As previously reported, from noon today anyone who has been in the local government areas of Liverpool or Campbelltown in the past 14 days will be under the Victorian rules, which means they will not be able to enter Queensland without an exemption.
From Queensland police:
The chief health officer declared the New South Wales areas as hotspots following a public alert of multiple cases of Covid-19 being traced to the Crossroads Hotel at Casula.
The immediate border restriction changes may cause delays at police border checkpoints and those travelling into Queensland are being urged to exercise patience and factor likely delays into their travel schedule.
Everyone entering Queensland must complete a border declaration pass before travelling. The fine for entering the state unlawfully, or making a false declaration, is $4,003.
John Green, the director of the NSW Australian Hotels Association, has been talking to the ABC:
He says a further shutdown would be “disastrous”.
Just quietly, all of these arguments about the economic impact of a shutdown also apply to Victoria. It’s just that in Victoria, rates of community transmission have got to a point where the economic argument comes second to the massive public health risk. If NSW sees a marked increase in community transmission, it will face the same decision.
OK, one final (hopefully) clarification on those NSW case numbers.
The seven cases that Dr Kerry Chant said came in after 3pm, were actually all recorded after 8pm last night.
The time of 3pm is when Health NSW sent out their coronavirus update yesterday. Chant was just trying to give a more timely update on the Crossroads cluster, because all of those seven cases are part of that cluster, but we all got confused.
So we have 13 cases from 8pm, Sunday 12 July to 8pm Monday 13 July.
And seven cases recorded after 8pm Monday 13 July, which will be included in the official coronavirus tally for today, reported tomorrow.
Good? Good.
The NRL will not move to Queensland, but players from NSW and the ACT will go back into strict biosecurity bubbles, following an emergency meeting of the Australian Rugby League commission.
The new protocols are expected to be enforced from Wednesday. More here:
Australia faces “sub-saharan African” levels of poverty on its doorstep and needs to carry its fair load in helping its regional neighbours, Tim Costello has said.
In an interview with Guardian Australia, the veteran social justice campaigner called for an increase in foreign aid to help the Pacific deal with health, social and economic challenges exacerbated by Covid-19.
Costello cited estimates from the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research, which said a severe scenario of a 20% economic contraction would result in an additional 1.2 million people in the Pacific and Timor-Leste being pushed into extreme poverty – or an increase of over 40% on pre-Covid-19 levels.
Costello said with absolute poverty defined as living below $1.90 a day, Australia needed to act:
While he agreed with Scott Morrison’s assessment – in the recent defence update – that Australia needed to prepare for a post-Covid world that was poorer, Costello said this should spur the government to increase foreign aid and development funding.
The executive director of Micah Australia said:
Costello said Australian government’s rhetoric about being a partner of choice in the Pacific was not yet matched with the dollars because even with the Pacific “step up” program, “we’re only back to Pacific aid levels of 2011-2012 – $1.3bn”.
People who fly into Western Australia from Victoria will now be automatically tested for Covid-19 when they land at Perth airport.
It follows the WA government last week making it compulsory for people travelling from Victoria to get a test on day 11 of their 14-day quarantine.
Health minister Roger Cook told reporters they were “adding another layer of caution and safety”.
Western Australia recorded one new case of coronavirus overnight, in an overseas traveller who arrived in Perth from the UK via Dubai on 1 July. He is the 11th person to test positive from coronavirus from that flight, AAP reported.
All 21 active cases in WA are in hotel quarantine.
Prime minister Scott Morrison and Victorian premier Daniel Andrews have released a joint statement about the role of ADF members deployed to Victoria.
Andrews mentioned this in his press conference earlier today.
It explains that the state will have an “open request for assist model” in place, which means their role can be changed and adapted by Victorian authorities without having to go back to the commonwealth and re-deploy them. Apparently they must otherwise be tasked to perform a specific function.
In terms of numbers, Victoria currently has 335 ADF members working in the state. That group, built up to about 400, will remain in Victoria until the end of stage 3 restrictions on 19 August. The other 1,000 will start arriving soon and remain in place for four weeks.
The statement says the additional 1,000 ADF members headed to Victoria will be deployed, based on need, in:
State Control Centre planning, logistics and intelligence reporting.
Public health response focusing on contact tracing data management and analysis, information flow as well as the allocation and tracking of tasks and the onboarding staff to undertake interviews.
Support for supply and logistics to ensure physical care packages such as food and toys and other essential supplies are provided to public housing residents.
Support focusing on testing in metro, regional/rural and tourist locations.
Assisting relevant agencies with community engagement focusing on community awareness and outreach, particularly in high risk areas as well as critical infrastructure and regional workplaces.
Partnering with Ambulance Victoria paramedic response crews to expand Ambulance Victoria’s response capabilities by providing personnel to act as a second crew member that can support paramedics at scenes and drive back to hospital.
Compliance checking to support Victoria Police’s enforcement of the Chief Health Officer’s stay at home orders.
Surge capacity as required in relation to vehicle check points.
An important correction: apparently the bird that bit Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was a rhea, not an emu.
That makes sense, because rheas are native to South America and emus are not, and also because the animal in the photo was clearly not an emu. This was our Australian bias showing and we can only apologise.
Here is Bolsonaro with a rhea:
Here is an emu:
People of Victoria: now is not the best time to try to move drugs into NSW. It’s really not. There are police on all the bridges.
Just ask the 39-year-old man who was charged with supplying a prohibited drug after he was stopped by police on the border at 10.45pm on Monday.
This statement from NSW Police:
The man appeared in court today, police said, and was bailed to 1 September and given a public health order to self-isolate for 14 days.
This is Menarock Life aged care facility in Essendon, the site of the biggest aged care cluster reported this week. Staff are now wearing face masks and face shields.
Twenty-eight people, a mixture of staff and residents, have tested positive to coronavirus, and some residents have been moved out of the centre to allow them to isolate.