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Coronavirus Australia live update: Queensland school closed after staff member tests positive – latest news Coronavirus Australia live update: Queensland school closed after staff member tests positive – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Almost 20% of aged care facilities in Victoria affected as crisis deepens. In NSW, authorities scramble to contain localised outbreaks in Sydney. Follow liveAlmost 20% of aged care facilities in Victoria affected as crisis deepens. In NSW, authorities scramble to contain localised outbreaks in Sydney. Follow live
The Queensland chief health officer, Dr Jeanette Young, is angry.
Queensland has recorded two new cases of Covid-19, the first new cases detected in the community in that state for many weeks.
The new cases are in women who returned to Queensland from Melbourne eight days ago, via Sydney. They did not self-isolate, despite requirements in place for everyone who was in Victoria in the past 14 days to self-isolate upon return to Queensland.
Health minister Steven Miles said:
Miles said the most important message was for anyone with symptoms in the southern suburbs of Brisbane to get tested.
He said Queensland had responded to situations like this before, and would do everything needed to stop the spread of community transmission.
The bushfire royal commission will hold another four days of hearings from Monday, looking at “situational awareness, decision making and resource sharing at a national level”.
The royal commission was supposed to hand down its final report next month, in time for the start of the bushfire season which is rapidly approaching, but it has been extended for another two months and will now deliver the report in October.
We had fires from late August in Queensland last year, and quite serious fires in Queensland and northern NSW by October.
Yes, that’s right: we could have bushfires and a Covid-19 second wave lockdown at the same time. Get ready.
The president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Tony Bartone, says “several hundred nurses” have been brought in to Victoria from interstate to bolster the staff numbers in residential aged care homes.The president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Tony Bartone, says “several hundred nurses” have been brought in to Victoria from interstate to bolster the staff numbers in residential aged care homes.
Bartone told the ABC that the AMA had been calling for a coordinated response to the outbreak, and was glad to see that all available resources were now being put into the aged care homes, three weeks after the outbreak began to gather steam.Bartone told the ABC that the AMA had been calling for a coordinated response to the outbreak, and was glad to see that all available resources were now being put into the aged care homes, three weeks after the outbreak began to gather steam.
There are now 763 active cases of Covid-19 in staff and residents across 80 aged care services in Melbourne. As we’ve mentioned before, that has caused a staffing crisis because hundreds of aged care workers are self-isolating as close contacts, and Victoria has paused all non-essential elective surgery to free up nursing staff to work in aged care.There are now 763 active cases of Covid-19 in staff and residents across 80 aged care services in Melbourne. As we’ve mentioned before, that has caused a staffing crisis because hundreds of aged care workers are self-isolating as close contacts, and Victoria has paused all non-essential elective surgery to free up nursing staff to work in aged care.
Bartone said:Bartone said:
He added:He added:
But he said he had some concerns about how well the response was being coordinated, saying it is an “enormous implementation when you’re actually replacing at very short notice, even less than an hour an entire cohort of a facility staff with another outside set of staff”.But he said he had some concerns about how well the response was being coordinated, saying it is an “enormous implementation when you’re actually replacing at very short notice, even less than an hour an entire cohort of a facility staff with another outside set of staff”.
The facility he’s talking about here is St Basil’s, where, as I mentioned earlier, the whole staff, including senior managers, had to self-isolate.The facility he’s talking about here is St Basil’s, where, as I mentioned earlier, the whole staff, including senior managers, had to self-isolate.
A bit of planning around the morning’s press conferences.A bit of planning around the morning’s press conferences.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, is expected to step up at 10.30am.The prime minister, Scott Morrison, is expected to step up at 10.30am.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian will stand up with the director of health protection at NSW Health, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, at 11am.NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian will stand up with the director of health protection at NSW Health, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, at 11am.
We’re standing by to hear from the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, about the new case recorded in that state overnight.We’re standing by to hear from the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, about the new case recorded in that state overnight.
And we still have not got a time for the Victorian coronavirus press conference today.And we still have not got a time for the Victorian coronavirus press conference today.
Dreamworld’s parent company, Ardent Leisure, will plead guilty to workplace safety charges over the fatal 2016 Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy, which killed four people.Dreamworld’s parent company, Ardent Leisure, will plead guilty to workplace safety charges over the fatal 2016 Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy, which killed four people.
More from AAP:More from AAP:
As always you can follow our rolling global coverage on the coronavirus crisis here.As always you can follow our rolling global coverage on the coronavirus crisis here.
The Committee for Sydney says Sydneysiders should be required to wear a face mask to prevent a second wave infection taking hold, which would return the city to lockdown.The Committee for Sydney says Sydneysiders should be required to wear a face mask to prevent a second wave infection taking hold, which would return the city to lockdown.
CEO Gabriel Metcalf said mandatory rules around wearing masks in certain high-risk areas in Sydney is the best hope to avoid more “draconian options”.CEO Gabriel Metcalf said mandatory rules around wearing masks in certain high-risk areas in Sydney is the best hope to avoid more “draconian options”.
It should be noted that the Committee for Sydney is basically a development, planning and events advocacy group, without any medical expertise.It should be noted that the Committee for Sydney is basically a development, planning and events advocacy group, without any medical expertise.
Metcalf said without making the wearing of masks mandatory, it’s unlikely Sydney would get to the threshold of 80% of people wearing masks, which he says is the level of compliance necessary to make face masks effective against general community transmission.Metcalf said without making the wearing of masks mandatory, it’s unlikely Sydney would get to the threshold of 80% of people wearing masks, which he says is the level of compliance necessary to make face masks effective against general community transmission.
A number of residents in Melbourne’s Epping Gardens aged care facility, which is linked to 82 active coronavirus cases among residents and staff, were transferred to hospital yesterday, and army medics came in to cover staff who are self-isolating.A number of residents in Melbourne’s Epping Gardens aged care facility, which is linked to 82 active coronavirus cases among residents and staff, were transferred to hospital yesterday, and army medics came in to cover staff who are self-isolating.
Finally, Coatsworth was asked if he though it likely that Queensland would close its borders again, after it recorded its first case of Covid-19 in the community for several weeks.Finally, Coatsworth was asked if he though it likely that Queensland would close its borders again, after it recorded its first case of Covid-19 in the community for several weeks.
Coatsworth said that “as of today, everything possible is being done” to support residents and workers in aged care in Victoria.Coatsworth said that “as of today, everything possible is being done” to support residents and workers in aged care in Victoria.
He said some workers that have been in self-isolation, including those at St Basil’s, will come out of isolation shortly and be able to get back to work.He said some workers that have been in self-isolation, including those at St Basil’s, will come out of isolation shortly and be able to get back to work.
Host Lisa Millar asked Coatsworth if Australia should expect to see similar rates of death from Covid-19 in aged care facilities as has been recorded overseas, which is as high as one-in-five.Host Lisa Millar asked Coatsworth if Australia should expect to see similar rates of death from Covid-19 in aged care facilities as has been recorded overseas, which is as high as one-in-five.
The deputy national chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is speaking to ABC News Breakfast about the management of the Covid-19 outbreak in residential aged care in Victoria.The deputy national chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is speaking to ABC News Breakfast about the management of the Covid-19 outbreak in residential aged care in Victoria.
He said:He said:
Coatsworth said some of the senior managers of the affected aged care facilities have also been put into quarantine, which made the initial response a bit slower, but he said that “when we get some senior leadership to support those people on the ground, then we can actually get people cared for to the standard that those families and those residents deserve”.Coatsworth said some of the senior managers of the affected aged care facilities have also been put into quarantine, which made the initial response a bit slower, but he said that “when we get some senior leadership to support those people on the ground, then we can actually get people cared for to the standard that those families and those residents deserve”.
Coatsworth said the chief nursing and midwifery officer, Alison McMillan, had taken “personal charge” of the situation at St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner.Coatsworth said the chief nursing and midwifery officer, Alison McMillan, had taken “personal charge” of the situation at St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner.
A school in Queensland has been closed for cleaning after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.A school in Queensland has been closed for cleaning after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
The woman who works at Parklands Christian College at Logan, south of Brisbane, tested positive late yesterday and returned to Queensland from interstate last week, the ABC reports.The woman who works at Parklands Christian College at Logan, south of Brisbane, tested positive late yesterday and returned to Queensland from interstate last week, the ABC reports.
Queensland Health told ABC:Queensland Health told ABC:
It’s the first positive case in the community in Queensland for some weeks.It’s the first positive case in the community in Queensland for some weeks.
NSW Liberal senator Hollie Hughes says she has been told to monitor herself for symptoms of Covid-19 after dining at the Thai Rock restaurant in Potts Point last week.NSW Liberal senator Hollie Hughes says she has been told to monitor herself for symptoms of Covid-19 after dining at the Thai Rock restaurant in Potts Point last week.
Hughes shared a letter she received from NSW Health, which said she was classified as a casual contact because she had been at the restaurant for less than two hours. If she had been there for more than two hours, she would have been considered a close contact and told to self-isolate and get tested, regardless of symptoms.Hughes shared a letter she received from NSW Health, which said she was classified as a casual contact because she had been at the restaurant for less than two hours. If she had been there for more than two hours, she would have been considered a close contact and told to self-isolate and get tested, regardless of symptoms.
Australia signed a 10-year agreement with the United States on defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and agreed to the potential expansion of the US Marine program in Darwin, at the Ausmin meeting in Washington DC overnight.Australia signed a 10-year agreement with the United States on defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and agreed to the potential expansion of the US Marine program in Darwin, at the Ausmin meeting in Washington DC overnight.
More on this from AAP:More on this from AAP:
The Australian chief nursing and midwifery officer, Alison McMillan, is leading the aged care response in Victoria. She spent some time in St Basil’s home for the aged in Fawkner managing the response there last week, and acknowledged there were “some occasions where care wasn’t as good as we would want to see”.The Australian chief nursing and midwifery officer, Alison McMillan, is leading the aged care response in Victoria. She spent some time in St Basil’s home for the aged in Fawkner managing the response there last week, and acknowledged there were “some occasions where care wasn’t as good as we would want to see”.
McMillian told Radio National she had put a “very, very senior nurse into there to guide the staff there and care for the remaining patients” who are still in St Basil’s and have not been moved to hospital.McMillian told Radio National she had put a “very, very senior nurse into there to guide the staff there and care for the remaining patients” who are still in St Basil’s and have not been moved to hospital.
She said that aged care home underwent a particular crisis last week because all of its staff had to self-quarantine as close contacts, meaning a whole new team had to be brought in.She said that aged care home underwent a particular crisis last week because all of its staff had to self-quarantine as close contacts, meaning a whole new team had to be brought in.
McMillan said she had “some considerable concerns” about the conditions in St Basil’s, which have been criticised by the family members of residents, who say their loved ones were not being fed or changed last week and that staff were leaving PPE in the rooms of Covid-19 positive patients. She said:McMillan said she had “some considerable concerns” about the conditions in St Basil’s, which have been criticised by the family members of residents, who say their loved ones were not being fed or changed last week and that staff were leaving PPE in the rooms of Covid-19 positive patients. She said:
She said they had set up a “buddy system” so aged care workers monitored each other’s compliance to wearing PPE. But she added that wearing full PPE all day was complicated and uncomfortable, and not something aged care staff – or even most medical staff – were used to.She said they had set up a “buddy system” so aged care workers monitored each other’s compliance to wearing PPE. But she added that wearing full PPE all day was complicated and uncomfortable, and not something aged care staff – or even most medical staff – were used to.
McMillan said she did not agree that St Basil’s or other homes were not fit places for older people to be.McMillan said she did not agree that St Basil’s or other homes were not fit places for older people to be.
McMillan said she would not comment on the comment by the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, to say he would not want his mother in some of these places.McMillan said she would not comment on the comment by the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, to say he would not want his mother in some of these places.
She said she was “eternally grateful for what I have seen so far” in hospital nurses and doctors offering to help work in aged care facilities.She said she was “eternally grateful for what I have seen so far” in hospital nurses and doctors offering to help work in aged care facilities.
Among those who are self-isolating in connection to the Potts Point coronavirus cluster in Sydney is one of prime minister Scott Morrison’s senior advisors, Nico Louw.Among those who are self-isolating in connection to the Potts Point coronavirus cluster in Sydney is one of prime minister Scott Morrison’s senior advisors, Nico Louw.
In a deleted instagram post, he said he attended the Apollo Greek restaurant on 25 July.In a deleted instagram post, he said he attended the Apollo Greek restaurant on 25 July.
The PMO confirmed:The PMO confirmed:
More details here:More details here:
For more information on the aged care crisis in Victoria, you can read this explainer by Melbourne bureau chief Melissa Davey.For more information on the aged care crisis in Victoria, you can read this explainer by Melbourne bureau chief Melissa Davey.
Good morning,Good morning,
Nurses from public and private hospitals and medics from the Australian defence force are moving in to private aged care homes across Melbourne to cover for staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 or are isolating as close contacts, with 769 active cases in the aged care sector and four more aged care residents dying yesterday.Nurses from public and private hospitals and medics from the Australian defence force are moving in to private aged care homes across Melbourne to cover for staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 or are isolating as close contacts, with 769 active cases in the aged care sector and four more aged care residents dying yesterday.
The worst-hit homes, like St Basil’s home for the aged in Fawkner, have had all residents moved to hospital, and Victoria has cancelled all non-scheduled, non-urgent elective surgery to free up hospital capacity. The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said yesterday:The worst-hit homes, like St Basil’s home for the aged in Fawkner, have had all residents moved to hospital, and Victoria has cancelled all non-scheduled, non-urgent elective surgery to free up hospital capacity. The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said yesterday:
He also said he “would not let my mum be in some of these places,” causing a rift with the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, who said his own father had received excellent care at a private aged care home.He also said he “would not let my mum be in some of these places,” causing a rift with the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, who said his own father had received excellent care at a private aged care home.
The federal government is sending in an Ausmat team – specialist medics that usually manage Australia’s humanitarian response to overseas disasters – and has also put out a call for other states to supply nurses.The federal government is sending in an Ausmat team – specialist medics that usually manage Australia’s humanitarian response to overseas disasters – and has also put out a call for other states to supply nurses.
The Fair Work decision requiring aged care providers to provide paid pandemic leave to casual aged care workers comes into effect from today.The Fair Work decision requiring aged care providers to provide paid pandemic leave to casual aged care workers comes into effect from today.
Meanwhile, pop-up testing clinics have been set up in inner-city suburbs of Sydney after three more cases were linked to the Potts Point cluster. Two of the new cases dined at both the Thai Rock restaurant and the Apollo in Potts Point, and the third case is a staff member of the Apollo.Meanwhile, pop-up testing clinics have been set up in inner-city suburbs of Sydney after three more cases were linked to the Potts Point cluster. Two of the new cases dined at both the Thai Rock restaurant and the Apollo in Potts Point, and the third case is a staff member of the Apollo.
Pop-up clinics have been set up in Surry Hills and Rushcutters Bay Park.Pop-up clinics have been set up in Surry Hills and Rushcutters Bay Park.
Let’s crack on. You can follow me on twitter @callapilla and email me at calla.wahlquist@theguardian.com.Let’s crack on. You can follow me on twitter @callapilla and email me at calla.wahlquist@theguardian.com.