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Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria records nine deaths and 295 new cases as Queensland closes border to Sydney Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria records nine deaths and 295 new cases as Queensland closes border to Sydney
(32 minutes later)
Schools and aged care homes closed after two women who returned to Brisbane from Melbourne test positive. Almost 20% of aged care facilities in Victoria affected as crisis deepens. Follow liveSchools and aged care homes closed after two women who returned to Brisbane from Melbourne test positive. Almost 20% of aged care facilities in Victoria affected as crisis deepens. Follow live
The Bureau of Meteorology provided “more than 100” briefings to government about the increased risk of bushfires ahead of Australia’s horror summer, a Senate inquiry has heard.
The chief executive officer of the bureau, Dr Andrew Johnson, said this included briefing the federal environment minister, Sussan Ley, in August and December 2019 about the “increased bushfire risk”.
He told the Senate inquiry into the bushfires:
The inquiry heard from a range of climate scientists earlier on Wednesday, and Johnson was also asked by Labor MP Murray Watt about the link between bushfires and global heating.
He said that long-term warming and drying, in bushfire areas, is “strongly linked to climate change”.
He added that this advice was “nothing new” and was “openly available” to the general public as well as parliamentarians.
He really does look exhausted.
For those keeping count: this is the 27th straight day in which Daniel Andrews has given the Covid-19 update. Time to tag someone else in and have a nap.
You might have read the post earlier in which my colleague Paul Karp asked Scott Morrison what he was doing on the issue of paid pandemic leave, and Morrison said he was discussing it with industrial relations minister Christian Porter.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) also heard that question, and provided us with this comment from secretary Sally McManus:
Closing the Queensland border to greater Sydney does, of course, have an impact on professional sport.Closing the Queensland border to greater Sydney does, of course, have an impact on professional sport.
More details on that, and what it will mean for the ever-changing AFL and NRL hubs, here: More details on that and what it will mean for the ever-changing AFL and NRL hubs, here:
Gladys Berejiklian has taken a swipe at Annastacia Palaszczuk’s decision to close Queensland’s border Sydney, telling reporters it “hurts the smaller states” to shut themselves off from New South Wales and saying “it would have been nice if she told me” about the decision.Gladys Berejiklian has taken a swipe at Annastacia Palaszczuk’s decision to close Queensland’s border Sydney, telling reporters it “hurts the smaller states” to shut themselves off from New South Wales and saying “it would have been nice if she told me” about the decision.
In her press conference earlier today, Palaszczuk announced Queensland would declare all of greater Sydney a Covid hotspot and close its border to anyone from the city from 1pm on Saturday, saying “we must protect Queensland”.In her press conference earlier today, Palaszczuk announced Queensland would declare all of greater Sydney a Covid hotspot and close its border to anyone from the city from 1pm on Saturday, saying “we must protect Queensland”.
Speaking at the same time in Sydney, Berejiklian confirmed she had not been given prior warning of the decision but said it was a matter for Queensland.Speaking at the same time in Sydney, Berejiklian confirmed she had not been given prior warning of the decision but said it was a matter for Queensland.
Asked if she was informed of Queensland’s decision prior to the announcement Berejiklian said:Asked if she was informed of Queensland’s decision prior to the announcement Berejiklian said:
Finally, Andrews was asked about prime minister Scott Morrison calling the outbreak the “Victorian wave,” not a second wave.Finally, Andrews was asked about prime minister Scott Morrison calling the outbreak the “Victorian wave,” not a second wave.
This is a comment that came in the context of both Morrison and Andrews saying they had boundless respect for each other.This is a comment that came in the context of both Morrison and Andrews saying they had boundless respect for each other.
Said Andrews:Said Andrews:
He ended the press conference by thanking all Victorians, “whether you are in Melbourne, Mitchell shire, the smallest country town at the farthest point from Melbourne, thank you so much for doing the right thing, thank you so much for the contribution you are making”.He ended the press conference by thanking all Victorians, “whether you are in Melbourne, Mitchell shire, the smallest country town at the farthest point from Melbourne, thank you so much for doing the right thing, thank you so much for the contribution you are making”.
Andrews was asked if parliament was returning next week and in what form, and laughed at something said in the room before apologising for laughing.Andrews was asked if parliament was returning next week and in what form, and laughed at something said in the room before apologising for laughing.
I think it can be forgiven.I think it can be forgiven.
On the outbreak in Colac, in southwest Victoria, which is the largest regional outbreak, Sutton said the vast majority of cases have been traced back to the abattoir outbreak.On the outbreak in Colac, in southwest Victoria, which is the largest regional outbreak, Sutton said the vast majority of cases have been traced back to the abattoir outbreak.
A very difficult question for chief health officer, Brett Sutton. Can families see a loved one who died after testing positive to Covid-19 when they are laid out? Or is there a risk?A very difficult question for chief health officer, Brett Sutton. Can families see a loved one who died after testing positive to Covid-19 when they are laid out? Or is there a risk?
Sutton:Sutton:
He added that people would not have to wear that level of PPE at a funeral. I’m reasonably certain the face covering rule would still apply, though.He added that people would not have to wear that level of PPE at a funeral. I’m reasonably certain the face covering rule would still apply, though.
Premier Daniel Andrews is back at the podium now, talking about the aged care response.Premier Daniel Andrews is back at the podium now, talking about the aged care response.
On St Basil’s home for the aged in Fawkner, he said the federal and state governments stepped in because a significant number of staff had tested positive and “there was not confidence that they could be contained, they could not infect residents that didn’t have the virus”.On St Basil’s home for the aged in Fawkner, he said the federal and state governments stepped in because a significant number of staff had tested positive and “there was not confidence that they could be contained, they could not infect residents that didn’t have the virus”.
Asked if it would have been more appropriate to bring in additional nursing staff and then transition back to aged care staff, Andrews replied:Asked if it would have been more appropriate to bring in additional nursing staff and then transition back to aged care staff, Andrews replied:
Not if staff were not wearing protective equipment.Not if staff were not wearing protective equipment.
He added:He added:
Sutton said on Monday, when Victoria recorded the record high of 532 Covid-19 cases, that the modelling indicated that could be the peak of the second wave.Sutton said on Monday, when Victoria recorded the record high of 532 Covid-19 cases, that the modelling indicated that could be the peak of the second wave.
He says he will not say outright that Victoria has passed that point, as it reaches the halfway point of the initial six-week lockdown period.He says he will not say outright that Victoria has passed that point, as it reaches the halfway point of the initial six-week lockdown period.
Sutton was asked about the Ausmat teams, which will begin arriving in Victoria tomorrow.Sutton was asked about the Ausmat teams, which will begin arriving in Victoria tomorrow.
Sutton said there were 55 community transmission cases recorded overnight, and that has been the daily average – about 50 new cases from community transmission each day.Sutton said there were 55 community transmission cases recorded overnight, and that has been the daily average – about 50 new cases from community transmission each day.
I misled you earlier – the chief health officer, Prof Brett Sutton, is here.I misled you earlier – the chief health officer, Prof Brett Sutton, is here.
Apologies, Suttonites.Apologies, Suttonites.
He says that community transmission numbers in Victoria “have remained relatively stable” in recent days.He says that community transmission numbers in Victoria “have remained relatively stable” in recent days.
On today’s numbers being considerably lower than the high recorded on Monday – about 240 fewer cases reported – Andrews said he was “not reading into numbers each day”.On today’s numbers being considerably lower than the high recorded on Monday – about 240 fewer cases reported – Andrews said he was “not reading into numbers each day”.
He added:He added:
It is odd that we’re now in a situation the reaction is “only 295!” not “oh no, 295”. Not so long ago, these kind of numbers would have been unthinkable.It is odd that we’re now in a situation the reaction is “only 295!” not “oh no, 295”. Not so long ago, these kind of numbers would have been unthinkable.