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| Australia live news: Queensland orders hundreds to restart quarantine over fears of UK Covid variant | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Annastacia Palaszczuk calls for hotel quarantine rethink after cluster discovered; NSW records one new community case. Follow all the latest news and information, live | |
| Chat has given a bit of an update on the Mount Druitt hospital cases, which have now been genomically linked to the Berala cluster. | |
| NSW also recorded six cases from returned overseas travellers chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant says. | |
| Testing has also ramped up again in NSW after the number of testes dropped below 15 thousand yesterday. Over the last 24 hours, 20,664 tests were conducted. | |
| NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is giving update now: | |
| Palaszczuk said she will be discussing the new strain with other state leaders. | |
| Okay so here is the list of new Covid-19 expose sites that Young just listed | |
| Woolworths Calum Vale North between 11:00am and midday on 3 January | |
| Coles Sunnybank Hills shopping town between 7:30 and 8:00am on 5 January | |
| Nextra Sunnybank Hills newsagent between 8:00 and 8:15am on 5 January | |
| Bunnings Warehouse Acacia Ridge between 2:00 and 2:40pm on 5 January | |
| Sunnybank Cellars, Sunnybank Hills between 2:05 and 2:15pm on 6 January | |
| Anyone who visited the Grand Chancellor from 30 January onwards. | |
| Young says people who have visited these locations must come forward for testing (and possibly isolate). | |
| Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young is speaking now: | |
| So here is Queensland Health’s break down of those six cases at the Grand Chancellor Hotel. | |
| A man in his thirties who arrived from the UK on December 30. | |
| His partner – a woman in her thirties who arrived from the UK on December 30.(They shared a room) | |
| A hotel cleaner in her twenties. | |
| Her partner – a man in his twenties. | |
| A man in his forties who arrived from Lebanon on January 1. | |
| His daughter – a woman in her twenties, who arrived on January 1. | |
| After a cluster of the highly contagious UK variant of the coronavirus was discovered at the Grand Chancellor quarantine hotel, Palaszczuk says all those in the hotel will have to restart their quarantine period. | |
| She says Australia needs to reassess its hotel quarantine system. | |
| Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is speaking now: | |
| But, Palaszczuk says there are now six cases of the highly contagious UK variant in the state. | |
| Professor Lyn Gilbert is an infectious disease physician and clinical microbiologist who also has a master’s degree in bioethics. She is also the chair of the Infection Control Expert Group, which provides independent and evidence-based advice to the federal government.I spoke to Prof Gilbert this morning about the comments in media reports today that the Astra Zeneca vaccine roll-out should be halted in Australia, due to concerns about its ability to help the population achieve herd immunity. She told me: | Professor Lyn Gilbert is an infectious disease physician and clinical microbiologist who also has a master’s degree in bioethics. She is also the chair of the Infection Control Expert Group, which provides independent and evidence-based advice to the federal government.I spoke to Prof Gilbert this morning about the comments in media reports today that the Astra Zeneca vaccine roll-out should be halted in Australia, due to concerns about its ability to help the population achieve herd immunity. She told me: |
| “I am concerned about this new controversy because of the potential effects on public confidence in Covid-19 vaccination and vaccination in general, and also because I think it is misguided because it is based on: | “I am concerned about this new controversy because of the potential effects on public confidence in Covid-19 vaccination and vaccination in general, and also because I think it is misguided because it is based on: |
| a) Too little information about efficacy and duration of protection or the ability of any of the vaccines to prevent transmission. | a) Too little information about efficacy and duration of protection or the ability of any of the vaccines to prevent transmission. |
| b) An assumption that there will be unlimited availability of what are seen to be the most efficacious vaccines (currently mRNA vaccines such as the Pfizer vaccine) for everyone and; | b) An assumption that there will be unlimited availability of what are seen to be the most efficacious vaccines (currently mRNA vaccines such as the Pfizer vaccine) for everyone and; |
| c) An unrealistic expectation that elimination/eradication of SARS-CoV-2 is possible. | c) An unrealistic expectation that elimination/eradication of SARS-CoV-2 is possible. |
| “To address each of these points:a) Natural Covid-19 infection apparently does not always provide solid immunity and it’s unlikely that even a two-dose course of the most efficacious vaccines will do so either, and we simply do not know how long immunity will last. We also still do not know how effective a full course of vaccines, such as Astra Zeneca, will be. We also have little information about the effect of vaccination on transmission – it will almost certainly reduce it, by reducing viral load, but may also allow it to continue and produce mild or asymptomatic infection which will be more difficult to detect. | “To address each of these points:a) Natural Covid-19 infection apparently does not always provide solid immunity and it’s unlikely that even a two-dose course of the most efficacious vaccines will do so either, and we simply do not know how long immunity will last. We also still do not know how effective a full course of vaccines, such as Astra Zeneca, will be. We also have little information about the effect of vaccination on transmission – it will almost certainly reduce it, by reducing viral load, but may also allow it to continue and produce mild or asymptomatic infection which will be more difficult to detect. |
| b) Meanwhile there is a raging pandemic that is claiming thousands of lives worldwide but very few in Australia, and there is unlikely to be enough vaccine to go around, even in the worst affected countries, for many months; there are logistical problems of distribution that vary in different parts of the world but cannot be solved by arguments about relative efficacy or elimination of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) – the immediate aim must be to prevent severe disease and death and reduce transmission. Undermining public confidence in vaccination is likely to mean that the most vulnerable people will continue to be exposed and die from severe disease.c) Covid-19 does not fulfil the criteria for an infectious disease that can be eradicated, unlike smallpox and measles, for example which have no animal reservoir; a single immunological type; are easily diagnosed/typical disease with minimal or no asymptomatic infection. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 infection has a reservoir in (or potential spread to) animals, a high rate of mild and asymptomatic infection and nonspecific symptoms and the potential for genetic variation that may, at some stage escape vaccine protection (this is another unknown – there is little or no evidence that current SARS Cov-2 variants can evade current vaccines, but we do not know what will happen under pressure from widespread vaccination or future spontaneous genetic variation).” | b) Meanwhile there is a raging pandemic that is claiming thousands of lives worldwide but very few in Australia, and there is unlikely to be enough vaccine to go around, even in the worst affected countries, for many months; there are logistical problems of distribution that vary in different parts of the world but cannot be solved by arguments about relative efficacy or elimination of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) – the immediate aim must be to prevent severe disease and death and reduce transmission. Undermining public confidence in vaccination is likely to mean that the most vulnerable people will continue to be exposed and die from severe disease.c) Covid-19 does not fulfil the criteria for an infectious disease that can be eradicated, unlike smallpox and measles, for example which have no animal reservoir; a single immunological type; are easily diagnosed/typical disease with minimal or no asymptomatic infection. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 infection has a reservoir in (or potential spread to) animals, a high rate of mild and asymptomatic infection and nonspecific symptoms and the potential for genetic variation that may, at some stage escape vaccine protection (this is another unknown – there is little or no evidence that current SARS Cov-2 variants can evade current vaccines, but we do not know what will happen under pressure from widespread vaccination or future spontaneous genetic variation).” |
| So things to look out for – we are still waiting to hear from Queensland and NSW on case numbers. | |
| Queensland yesterday diagnosed a close contact of a cleaner carrying the highly contagious UK strain of coronavirus and with genomic testing we likely to get confirmation today or tomorrow that this second case carries the variant as well. The man also visited several locations while potentially contagious so it will be interesting to see if the additional testing and isolating has uncovered any new infections. | Queensland yesterday diagnosed a close contact of a cleaner carrying the highly contagious UK strain of coronavirus and with genomic testing we likely to get confirmation today or tomorrow that this second case carries the variant as well. The man also visited several locations while potentially contagious so it will be interesting to see if the additional testing and isolating has uncovered any new infections. |
| NSW is still “mopping up” community transmission of Covid-19 so the case numbers from the state in the next few days will be crucial in seeing if Sydney’s clusters are truly ending. | |
| I’ve been seeing some people question what the total number of Covid-19 cases is in NSW, including the number of unlinked cases. I spoke to the NSW Department of Health yesterday, who told me that since 16 December until 8pm on 11 January, there have been: | I’ve been seeing some people question what the total number of Covid-19 cases is in NSW, including the number of unlinked cases. I spoke to the NSW Department of Health yesterday, who told me that since 16 December until 8pm on 11 January, there have been: |
| 151 cases linked with the Avalon cluster | 151 cases linked with the Avalon cluster |
| 4 cases linked with the patient transport worker | 4 cases linked with the patient transport worker |
| 27 cases linked to the Berala cluster | 27 cases linked to the Berala cluster |
| 11 cases linked to the Croydon cluster | 11 cases linked to the Croydon cluster |
| And 19 cases still under investigation. However, most of the 19 have been genomically linked to the Berala or Avalon clusters. | And 19 cases still under investigation. However, most of the 19 have been genomically linked to the Berala or Avalon clusters. |
| That is a total of 212 cases. Not all of those cases would still be “active”. | That is a total of 212 cases. Not all of those cases would still be “active”. |
| However, the Avalon cluster is genomically linked to the Croydon cluster. The patient transport worker, who infected a colleague and two close family contacts is genomically linked to the Berala cluster. | However, the Avalon cluster is genomically linked to the Croydon cluster. The patient transport worker, who infected a colleague and two close family contacts is genomically linked to the Berala cluster. |
| As a reminder, the Berala cluster emerged after a family who returned from overseas with Covid infected a NSW patient transport worker, who then passed the virus on to a colleague who went to the BWS store in Berala while infectious. From there, 27 Berala cases emerged. So there are two chains of transmission in NSW, the Department of Health said. | As a reminder, the Berala cluster emerged after a family who returned from overseas with Covid infected a NSW patient transport worker, who then passed the virus on to a colleague who went to the BWS store in Berala while infectious. From there, 27 Berala cases emerged. So there are two chains of transmission in NSW, the Department of Health said. |
| As for the 19 cases under investigation, it would be wrong to refer to them all as “mystery cases”. The 19 includes three people in Wollongong with the virus, but they’re genomically linked to the Avalon cluster. | As for the 19 cases under investigation, it would be wrong to refer to them all as “mystery cases”. The 19 includes three people in Wollongong with the virus, but they’re genomically linked to the Avalon cluster. |
| It also includes a Palm Beach resident and two of that person’s close contacts. Even though it is clear the two close contacts were infected by the Palm Beach resident, until health authorities know exactly who the resident got the infection from, they consider all three cases under investigation. | It also includes a Palm Beach resident and two of that person’s close contacts. Even though it is clear the two close contacts were infected by the Palm Beach resident, until health authorities know exactly who the resident got the infection from, they consider all three cases under investigation. |
| Even if NSW Health know the venue where the virus was likely acquired, until they know exactly who in that venue passed it on to a case, they consider it under investigation. | Even if NSW Health know the venue where the virus was likely acquired, until they know exactly who in that venue passed it on to a case, they consider it under investigation. |
| It would be more concerning if some of the 19 cases under investigation were not genomically linked to the two existing transmission chains. The case of the man who was diagnosed at Mount Druitt hospital is also under investigation, and we will likely get the results of the genomic sequencing from that case today. | It would be more concerning if some of the 19 cases under investigation were not genomically linked to the two existing transmission chains. The case of the man who was diagnosed at Mount Druitt hospital is also under investigation, and we will likely get the results of the genomic sequencing from that case today. |
| That’s not to say having cases under investigation is not concerning, along with the fact that it is still unknown how the Avalon cluster started. On Tuesday, the NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was important to keep investigating the source of all cases: | That’s not to say having cases under investigation is not concerning, along with the fact that it is still unknown how the Avalon cluster started. On Tuesday, the NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was important to keep investigating the source of all cases: |
| But the term “mystery case” is usually reserved for cases where there’s at least one other person with the virus that authorities have yet to locate. The 19 cases in NSW can be more accurately described as cases “under investigation” or with an “unknown source”. | But the term “mystery case” is usually reserved for cases where there’s at least one other person with the virus that authorities have yet to locate. The 19 cases in NSW can be more accurately described as cases “under investigation” or with an “unknown source”. |
| Here is a bit of an update on the goings-on across the Tasman: | Here is a bit of an update on the goings-on across the Tasman: |
| A lone man wielding an axe has attacked New Zealand’s parliament, currently empty of politicians over the summer holidays. | A lone man wielding an axe has attacked New Zealand’s parliament, currently empty of politicians over the summer holidays. |
| The parliament building, known locally as the Beehive, was attacked before dawn on Wednesday morning, with the lone axeman causing extensive damage to five exterior glass doors leading into the parliament. | The parliament building, known locally as the Beehive, was attacked before dawn on Wednesday morning, with the lone axeman causing extensive damage to five exterior glass doors leading into the parliament. |
| Police were called to the scene at 5.25am and the man was arrested without incident at 5.35am, a police spokesperson said. | Police were called to the scene at 5.25am and the man was arrested without incident at 5.35am, a police spokesperson said. |
| The 31-year-old is due to appear in Wellington district court on Wednesday and has been charged with intentional damage and possession of an offensive weapon. | The 31-year-old is due to appear in Wellington district court on Wednesday and has been charged with intentional damage and possession of an offensive weapon. |
| You can read the full story below: | You can read the full story below: |
| So that Victorian press conference I mentioned early on turned out to mostly be about the state’s community relief grant program. | So that Victorian press conference I mentioned early on turned out to mostly be about the state’s community relief grant program. |
| Minister for disability, ageing and carers Luke Donnellan spoke to media a few minutes ago: | Minister for disability, ageing and carers Luke Donnellan spoke to media a few minutes ago: |
| The Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAG) on Immunisation is an independent group that advises the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, on the national immunisation program and other immunisation issues.I asked ATAG co-chair, epidemiologist and infectious diseases physician Professor Allen Cheng, about the calls from some doctors and immunologists to halt the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia due to it being less effective than other vaccine candidates. | The Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAG) on Immunisation is an independent group that advises the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, on the national immunisation program and other immunisation issues.I asked ATAG co-chair, epidemiologist and infectious diseases physician Professor Allen Cheng, about the calls from some doctors and immunologists to halt the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia due to it being less effective than other vaccine candidates. |
| Cheng said it was important to remember that the vaccine has not even been registered by Australia’s drugs regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, yet. Neither has the Pfizer vaccine. | Cheng said it was important to remember that the vaccine has not even been registered by Australia’s drugs regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, yet. Neither has the Pfizer vaccine. |
| Just when you thought the cheese news would be over for the day Anthony Albanese has been asked about the renaming of iconic Australian brand Coon, reports the AAP. | Just when you thought the cheese news would be over for the day Anthony Albanese has been asked about the renaming of iconic Australian brand Coon, reports the AAP. |
| The federal opposition leader was peppered with questions about the rebadged Cheer cheese during a talkback radio interview but refused to entertain any prospect of a reactionary culture war. | The federal opposition leader was peppered with questions about the rebadged Cheer cheese during a talkback radio interview but refused to entertain any prospect of a reactionary culture war. |
| The product was originally named after an American cheesemaker, but the name was also a racial slur. | The product was originally named after an American cheesemaker, but the name was also a racial slur. |
| Albanese said while he did not agree with rewriting history or the controversy surrounding certain statues, he had no objection to the new name. | Albanese said while he did not agree with rewriting history or the controversy surrounding certain statues, he had no objection to the new name. |
| “Frankly, I think it is a commercial decision by the company and fair enough,” he told Sydney radio 2GB on Wednesday. | “Frankly, I think it is a commercial decision by the company and fair enough,” he told Sydney radio 2GB on Wednesday. |
| “Certainly it was named after some American cheesemaker ... it certainly isn’t named after any eulogising of a racist term. | “Certainly it was named after some American cheesemaker ... it certainly isn’t named after any eulogising of a racist term. |
| “But the good news is the cheese will be the same, it’ll taste the same, and I think everyone will know it’s the same product.” | “But the good news is the cheese will be the same, it’ll taste the same, and I think everyone will know it’s the same product.” |
| Albanese said the company was clearly motivated by selling more cheese: “And good luck to them.” | Albanese said the company was clearly motivated by selling more cheese: “And good luck to them.” |
| “This is something that will come and go,” he said. | “This is something that will come and go,” he said. |
| Oh, by the way, we are standing by for the Victorian press conference which will start in the next few minutes. | Oh, by the way, we are standing by for the Victorian press conference which will start in the next few minutes. |
| The state has now recorded a week of no locally acquired Covid-19 cases. | The state has now recorded a week of no locally acquired Covid-19 cases. |
| A professor of infectious diseases and former World Health Organization advisor, Peter Collignon, described calls from some doctors to halt the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia due to questions around its efficacy and ability to achieve herd immunity as “mania”. | A professor of infectious diseases and former World Health Organization advisor, Peter Collignon, described calls from some doctors to halt the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia due to questions around its efficacy and ability to achieve herd immunity as “mania”. |
| Collignon said this was the benefit Australia had by waiting on more data from countries already rolling out the vaccine before rolling it out here. He also reiterated that there are no questions about the overall safety of the vaccine. | Collignon said this was the benefit Australia had by waiting on more data from countries already rolling out the vaccine before rolling it out here. He also reiterated that there are no questions about the overall safety of the vaccine. |
| He added that Australia had three different vaccine candidates, so would not be relying on AstraZeneca to vaccinate the entire population anyway. | He added that Australia had three different vaccine candidates, so would not be relying on AstraZeneca to vaccinate the entire population anyway. |
| Meanwhile the federal Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid appears to have distanced himself from comments to The Australian by the Western Australian AMA president that the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout should be paused. | Meanwhile the federal Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid appears to have distanced himself from comments to The Australian by the Western Australian AMA president that the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout should be paused. |
| Khorshid said on Wednesday morning while the government could invest in other types of vaccines in addition to the three already secured, it was too early to know whether any of the vaccines would stop virus transmission as well as severe disease. | Khorshid said on Wednesday morning while the government could invest in other types of vaccines in addition to the three already secured, it was too early to know whether any of the vaccines would stop virus transmission as well as severe disease. |
| “The government actually hasn’t put its eggs all in one basket,” he told the Today show. | “The government actually hasn’t put its eggs all in one basket,” he told the Today show. |