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Coronavirus Australia live update: Sydney Black Lives Matter protest appeal dismissed as Victoria reports six deaths and 532 Covid-19 cases Coronavirus Australia live update: Sydney Black Lives Matter protest appeal dismissed as Victoria reports six deaths and 532 Covid-19 cases
(32 minutes later)
Australia records highest daily one-day total of cases since start of pandemic, as Andrews announces 683 active cases linked to aged care in Victoria, and in Sydney the Thai Rock Wetherill Park cluster rises to 70. Follow latest updates Australia records highest daily one-day total of cases since start of pandemic, as premier announces 683 active cases linked to aged care in Victoria, and in Sydney the Thai Rock Wetherill Park cluster rises to 70. Follow latest updates
Staying in Melbourne, this Melbourne private school has been criticised after students were told they had to wear masks that also matched the school’s uniform.
VicHealth chief executive Dr Sandro Demaio made some interesting comments earlier on the ABC:
Channel Seven is reporting that 20 to 30 people have been evacuated from St Basil’s aged care home in Fawkner.
There are 84 cases linked to the home in Melbourne’s north.
You might remember this stoush over toilet paper in a Woolworths store in March.You might remember this stoush over toilet paper in a Woolworths store in March.
The cash-strapped Northern Territory government will spend $20m on extra police officers to protect its borders as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.The cash-strapped Northern Territory government will spend $20m on extra police officers to protect its borders as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The chief minister, Michael Gunner, said 66 frontline officers would join the force along with 30 Aboriginal liaison officers and 10 Aboriginal community officers.The chief minister, Michael Gunner, said 66 frontline officers would join the force along with 30 Aboriginal liaison officers and 10 Aboriginal community officers.
An extra 25 support staff would also be employed to provide administrative and welfare assistance to officers, AAP reported.An extra 25 support staff would also be employed to provide administrative and welfare assistance to officers, AAP reported.
The Northern Territory had planned to open its borders to the entire nation on 17 July, removing the need for travellers to go into quarantineThe Northern Territory had planned to open its borders to the entire nation on 17 July, removing the need for travellers to go into quarantine
However, Melbourne’s second wave and coronavirus outbreaks in Sydney have led to all of Victoria being declared a hotspot indefinitely and greater Sydney for at least another month, meaning travellers from there must go into supervised quarantine, costing them $2,500 if they show up.However, Melbourne’s second wave and coronavirus outbreaks in Sydney have led to all of Victoria being declared a hotspot indefinitely and greater Sydney for at least another month, meaning travellers from there must go into supervised quarantine, costing them $2,500 if they show up.
Having to protect the NT’s borders through quarantine supervision and compliance checks as well as fulfil normal policing duties is stretching the force’s resources.Having to protect the NT’s borders through quarantine supervision and compliance checks as well as fulfil normal policing duties is stretching the force’s resources.
The Australian federal police have been helping but 70 of 102 officers deployed to the territory are due to leave this week.The Australian federal police have been helping but 70 of 102 officers deployed to the territory are due to leave this week.
The NSW police minister, David Elliott, is pleased by the court of appeal’s decision on the Black Lives Matter protest planned for tomorrow.The NSW police minister, David Elliott, is pleased by the court of appeal’s decision on the Black Lives Matter protest planned for tomorrow.
In a statement, he said:In a statement, he said:
Dozens of people with disability have raised concerns with a royal commission about their experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.Dozens of people with disability have raised concerns with a royal commission about their experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability will hold a public hearing next month focused on the pandemic’s impact.The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability will hold a public hearing next month focused on the pandemic’s impact.
It has received 73 submissions specifically about Covid-19 and its associated restrictions, AAP reports.It has received 73 submissions specifically about Covid-19 and its associated restrictions, AAP reports.
They are among 1,141 submissions the royal commission has received so far from people with disability and their family members, as well as advocates and support workers.They are among 1,141 submissions the royal commission has received so far from people with disability and their family members, as well as advocates and support workers.
“People have shared their experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation across a range of settings including the health and medical system, in schools, in group homes and other accommodation,” the commission said on Monday.“People have shared their experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation across a range of settings including the health and medical system, in schools, in group homes and other accommodation,” the commission said on Monday.
The commission has also had almost 400 requests for a private session, conducted in a confidential setting with a commissioner.The commission has also had almost 400 requests for a private session, conducted in a confidential setting with a commissioner.
The Australian Meat Industry Council’s chief executive, Patrick Hutchison, has issued a statement claiming there is an “over-emphasis of cases being linked to the Australian meat industry”.The Australian Meat Industry Council’s chief executive, Patrick Hutchison, has issued a statement claiming there is an “over-emphasis of cases being linked to the Australian meat industry”.
He said:He said:
Meat industry-related outbreaks in Victoria include:Meat industry-related outbreaks in Victoria include:
95 cases linked to Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham.95 cases linked to Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham.
71 cases linked to JBS in Brooklyn.71 cases linked to JBS in Brooklyn.
69 cases linked to Bertocchi Smallgoods in Thomastown.69 cases linked to Bertocchi Smallgoods in Thomastown.
47 cases linked to Australian Lamb Company in Colac.47 cases linked to Australian Lamb Company in Colac.
8 cases linked to Diamond Valley Pork in Laverton North.8 cases linked to Diamond Valley Pork in Laverton North.
6 cases linked to Don KR Castlemaine.6 cases linked to Don KR Castlemaine.
The statement from Hutchinson is in response to comments from Daniel Andrews suggesting specific industries may need to be shut down.The statement from Hutchinson is in response to comments from Daniel Andrews suggesting specific industries may need to be shut down.
The health minister, Greg Hunt, has issued a statement on the death of the RACGP president, Harry Nespolon:The health minister, Greg Hunt, has issued a statement on the death of the RACGP president, Harry Nespolon:
Some more information about the baby, two parents and health worker associated with the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital [RCH] infected with the virus.Some more information about the baby, two parents and health worker associated with the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital [RCH] infected with the virus.
The hospital tells me that the hospital has not allowed any visitors on site since March apart from the family and carers of children. Any parent, guardian or staff member entering the hospital undergoes health screening and temperature checking before being allowed access. In a statement a hospital spokeswoman said:The hospital tells me that the hospital has not allowed any visitors on site since March apart from the family and carers of children. Any parent, guardian or staff member entering the hospital undergoes health screening and temperature checking before being allowed access. In a statement a hospital spokeswoman said:
The Australian share market has edged higher as investors await direction from Wall Street ahead of a busy week of economic data, although surging gold prices have boosted miners of the precious metal.The Australian share market has edged higher as investors await direction from Wall Street ahead of a busy week of economic data, although surging gold prices have boosted miners of the precious metal.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 20.2 points, or 0.34%, at 6,044.2 points, while the All Ordinaries index was up 21.6 points, or 0.35%, at 6,169.6.The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 20.2 points, or 0.34%, at 6,044.2 points, while the All Ordinaries index was up 21.6 points, or 0.35%, at 6,169.6.
AAP reports that the Australian dollar was trading higher after weakness in the US greenback against major currencies, buying 71.32 US cents, up from 70.94 US cents at Friday’s close.AAP reports that the Australian dollar was trading higher after weakness in the US greenback against major currencies, buying 71.32 US cents, up from 70.94 US cents at Friday’s close.
These Melburnians are offering their neighbours free masks from their front lawn.These Melburnians are offering their neighbours free masks from their front lawn.
The NSW court of appeal has effectively upheld an earlier ruling that the protest is a prohibited public assembly under current public health regulations.
Demonstrators will now risk arrest and fines if they breach coronavirus restrictions on mass gatherings when attending tomorrow.
Chief Justice Tom Bathurst said he would provide his reasons at a later date, but that the appeal had to be dismissed.
Organisers say they have a Covid-19 safety plan. Attendees are being asked to avoid public transport, wear a mask and “practice thorough hand hygiene”. Protesters will be expected to stand at least 1.5 metre apart at all times, and anyone who feels at all unwell or has any cold or flu-like symptoms is being asked to stay at home.
All attendees will be asked to provide contact details for tracing purposes and anyone who develops symptoms in the two weeks following the rally must be tested and let the organisers know.
Earlier, the NSW Police Minister, David Elliott, described the protest going ahead as “the most dangerous act during a pandemic”.
Black Lives Matter rally organisers said earlier they would consider calling off Tuesday’s protest if the New South Wales premier commits to asking SafeWork NSW and the director of public prosecutions to investigate whether charges should be laid against the guards involved in the death in custody of David Dungay Jr in 2015.
The 26-year-old Dunghutti man died after five guards rushed his cell to stop him eating biscuits, dragged him to another cell, then held him face down and injected him with a sedative. In harrowing footage shown to the court and partly released to the public, Dungay said 12 times that he couldn’t breathe, before losing consciousness and dying.
Just coming back to the update from Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services.
The four cases at the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Children’s hospital includes a patient. Tom Connell, the chief of medicine at the Royal Children’s hospital, said earlier today the baby was less than three weeks old.
The other cases are: two parents and a staff member. The department says any Royal Children’s hospital staff who have spent more than two hours on the butterfly ward since 12 July will be tested.
The NSW court of appeal has dismissed an appeal from the organisers of a Black Lives Matter protest planned for Sydney.
It means that the rally tomorrow will be an “unauthorised event”.
Organisers have previously said the protest would go ahead regardless of the court’s decision.
Here are some key statistics and points from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services daily update.
Four cases have been linked to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
According to the department:
Here are the current aged care outbreaks: 84 cases have been linked to St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner.
82 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer.
77 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping.
62 cases have been linked to Menarock Life Aged Care Facility in Essendon.
53 cases have been linked to Glendale Aged Care Facility in Werribee.
57 cases have been linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth.
50 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Heidelberg.
Other current outbreaks include:
95 cases have been linked to Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham.
71 cases have been linked to JBS in Brooklyn.
69 cases have been linked to Bertocchi Smallgoods in Thomastown.
47 cases have been linked to Australian Lamb Company in Colac.
13 cases have been linked to the Linfox Warehouse in Truganina.
8 cases have been linked to Diamond Valley Pork in Laverton North.
6 cases have been linked to Don KR Castlemaine.
26 cases have been linked to LaManna Supermarket in Essendon Fields.
22 cases have been linked to Brunswick Private Hospital.
6 cases have been linked to Parkville Youth Justice.
12 cases have been linked to Respite Services Australia in Moonee Ponds.
Across Victoria, there are 683 active cases relating to outbreaks across 61 aged care facilities, and 400 active health care worker cases.
Does Victoria need to do more testing?
Kidd says testing is already at record levels and authorities need to ensure they do not overwhelm the system.
Asked why masks were only mandated for aged care workers a few weeks ago, Kidd says authorities have taken an incremental approach in their response to the pandemic.
Kidd explains how the aged care surge workforce has been pulled together.
Kidd is asked what authorities can do to stop the spread of conspiracy theories, which you might have seen in various videos and other content posted to social media.
He says:
A reporter notes Scott Morrison’s comments earlier today saying NSW is doing better than Victoria. What are they doing better?
Kidd says:
Kidd pays tribute to Dr Harry Nespolon, the president of the Australian Royal College of General Practitioners, who lost a battle with cancer overnight.
That included strong support for telehealth during the pandemic.
Kidd is focusing on the situation in aged care. He notes, as Daniel Andrews did early, that there are now 600 cases in aged care facilities.
He says 5% of all cases of Covid-19 in Victoria since April have been among the residents of aged care facilities, while 4% have been among the staff working in aged care.
Kidd says an aged care response centre has been established over the weekend and commenced operations today.