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Australia Covid live update: NSW records 239 new cases as Queensland reports nine; 4.5m vaccine doses administered nationwide in July Australia Covid live update: NSW records 239 new cases as Queensland reports nine; 4.5m vaccine doses administered nationwide in July
(32 minutes later)
Follow all the day’s newsFollow all the day’s news
Ahh, Victoria - we’ve come so far since the days of 600+ cases! Today, we have relatively good news coming from the little state that could:
Victoria recorded just four new Covid-19 cases, all of whom were linked back to current outbreaks and were in isolation for the duration of their infectious period.
In saying that, about 20 residents of a Richmond apartment building in Melbourne have been told to isolate for 14 days after they were potentially exposed to a Covid-19 case.
The state has passed a milestone with one million residents fully vaccinated. Woo!
Speaking of vaccines, health authorities announced that, from Monday, they will be pushing back the wait time for a second Pfizer dose from three weeks to six weeks to enable more people to go and get their first jab.
OK, back to summarising today’s headlines.
Let’s turn to Queensland. Here’s what happened today:
The state recorded nine new cases of community transmission.
Parts of south-east Queensland are currently in day one of a snap three-day lockdown, in an attempt to curb an outbreak of the Delta strain in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
A Brisbane high school student with Covid-19 has been found to have the same strain as two hotel quarantine cases on the Sunshine Coast but authorities are still trying to find out how the student got infected.
Queensland authorities are appealing to the public to go and get tested, after the state recorded just 12,000 tests yesterday. Authorities want to see more than 40,000 tests per day.
Tasmania closed its border with south-east Queensland late on Saturday and forced some 11,000 recent arrivals from the mainland state into isolation.
Before we continue our recap of today’s headlines, we have some breaking news in Queensland.
Queensland Health is tracing the contacts of a Brisbane woman who made a return trip to Rockhampton while infectious with Covid-19, according to ABC News.
Apparently she has been infectious since 28 July. On 28 July, she flew from Brisbane to Rockhampton at 8.30am on Qantas flight QF2362.
She returned to Brisbane on July 30 at 6:40pm on Qantas flight QF2365.
ABC News is reporting that the woman is an external contractor on the Rookwood Weir project west of Rockhampton, and that Queensland Health is working to test all other employees and contact the passengers on her flights.
The day is drawing to a close and there have been a lot of announcements from across the country. So rather than do one big post summarising it all, I’m going to go state-by-state.
First up: NSW.
NSW recorded 239 new cases overnight, the equal-highest daily figure in the current Delta outbreak. Only 80 were known to have been in isolation during their infectious period.
Thirty-five were isolated for part of their infectious period, 26 were infectious in the community and the remaining 98 are under investigation.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian said higher vaccination rates were the “only way to live with Delta or any other horrific strain that comes along” and urged people in NSW to make August their month to come out and get vaccinated.
There are currently 222 people with Covid-19 in hospital in NSW, including 54 in intensive care and 25 on ventilators. Of those in ICU, seven are aged in their 20s.
Nine residents at a Summer Hill nursing home have been diagnosed with Covid-19. Most were vaccinated and they have all been transferred to hospital.
More than 250 people have been fined for travelling beyond their local government area and five were charged with resisting arrest during a massive COVID compliance operation on Saturday.
NSW police also reported that the occupants of five vehicles have been issued infringement notices for breaching public health orders today, while attempting to enter the Sydney CBD to participate in an unauthorised convoy protest.
NSW Health have also released a list of new and updated exposure sites spanning Campsie to Bondi.
Another recently announced NSW exposure site that I wanted to mention is Myhealth Medical Centre at Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre.Another recently announced NSW exposure site that I wanted to mention is Myhealth Medical Centre at Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre.
If you were on Tuesday 27 July between 9am to 11am, or Friday 30 July between 10am to 11.30am, you are considered a close contact and must get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days. If you were there on Tuesday 27 July between 9am and 11am, or Friday 30 July between 10am and 11.30am, you are considered a close contact and must get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days.
Speaking of new exposure sites (wow, I hate that that is a segue these days), NSW Health have also released a list of new and updated exposure sites.Speaking of new exposure sites (wow, I hate that that is a segue these days), NSW Health have also released a list of new and updated exposure sites.
Among the biggest exposures sites is Katsuya Japanese Restaurant in Clemton Park Shopping Village in Campsie. It appears as though an infected staff member worked there for 10 days straight. So if you visited the restaurant between 6am and 10pm between 19 July and 28 July, you are considered a close contact of a positive case. That means you have to immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, even if you get a negative result.Among the biggest exposures sites is Katsuya Japanese Restaurant in Clemton Park Shopping Village in Campsie. It appears as though an infected staff member worked there for 10 days straight. So if you visited the restaurant between 6am and 10pm between 19 July and 28 July, you are considered a close contact of a positive case. That means you have to immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, even if you get a negative result.
Another exposure site includes Ali Group Supermarket in Campsie. Similarly, it seems as though a staff member was infectious with Covid-19. If you were there between 8.30am and 3.30pm from 25 July to 27 July, you need to get tested and isolate for 14 days.Another exposure site includes Ali Group Supermarket in Campsie. Similarly, it seems as though a staff member was infectious with Covid-19. If you were there between 8.30am and 3.30pm from 25 July to 27 July, you need to get tested and isolate for 14 days.
NSW Health has also advised of additional dates and times for a previously announced exposure site: Bondi Junction Post Shop. If you were there from 9.10am to 9.20am on Friday 16 July, you have to go and get tested and isolate until you get a negative result.NSW Health has also advised of additional dates and times for a previously announced exposure site: Bondi Junction Post Shop. If you were there from 9.10am to 9.20am on Friday 16 July, you have to go and get tested and isolate until you get a negative result.
Click here for the full list of updated exposure sites.Click here for the full list of updated exposure sites.
Queensland Health has announced a number of new exposure sites this afternoon, as the state tries to curb the Delta-variant outbreak in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.Queensland Health has announced a number of new exposure sites this afternoon, as the state tries to curb the Delta-variant outbreak in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
The new locations include places and public transport routes in Spring Hill, Moggill and South Brisbane.The new locations include places and public transport routes in Spring Hill, Moggill and South Brisbane.
Click here for the full list of sites.Click here for the full list of sites.
NSW police has reported that the occupants of five vehicles have been issued infringement notices for breaching public health orders today, while attempting to enter the Sydney CBD to participate in an unauthorised convoy protest.NSW police has reported that the occupants of five vehicles have been issued infringement notices for breaching public health orders today, while attempting to enter the Sydney CBD to participate in an unauthorised convoy protest.
Police launched a high-visibility policing operation earlier today to ensure compliance with public health orders.Police launched a high-visibility policing operation earlier today to ensure compliance with public health orders.
The move came after last weekend, when thousands of people breached public health orders in Sydney to attend an anti-lockdown protest.The move came after last weekend, when thousands of people breached public health orders in Sydney to attend an anti-lockdown protest.
Police have been pretty effective in quashing further protests planned for this weekend.Police have been pretty effective in quashing further protests planned for this weekend.
Taxi and rideshare companies were banned from taking passengers into Sydney’s central business district between 9am and 3pm yesterday, with fines of up to $500,000 for businesses and $100,000 for individuals who failed to comply.Taxi and rideshare companies were banned from taking passengers into Sydney’s central business district between 9am and 3pm yesterday, with fines of up to $500,000 for businesses and $100,000 for individuals who failed to comply.
Police and defence force personnel also set up roadblocks on key roads yesterday and stopped cars at the Princes Highway and Sydney Park Road trying to enter the city via Newtown.Police and defence force personnel also set up roadblocks on key roads yesterday and stopped cars at the Princes Highway and Sydney Park Road trying to enter the city via Newtown.
Authorities are working hard to “absolutely minimise the risk of any transmission” of Covid-19 when parliament sits in Canberra from Tuesday this week, Australia’s acting health chief officer, Prof Michael Kidd, has said.Authorities are working hard to “absolutely minimise the risk of any transmission” of Covid-19 when parliament sits in Canberra from Tuesday this week, Australia’s acting health chief officer, Prof Michael Kidd, has said.
Federal parliament is scheduled to sit for four of the next five weeks, prompting concern among residents of the Australian Capital Territory which has so far managed to avoid any local transmission events from the recent Covid-19 outbreaks in Australia.Federal parliament is scheduled to sit for four of the next five weeks, prompting concern among residents of the Australian Capital Territory which has so far managed to avoid any local transmission events from the recent Covid-19 outbreaks in Australia.
Kidd was asked to characterise the risk associated with the forthcoming parliamentary sittings, and his view on the likelihood of a super-spreader event.Kidd was asked to characterise the risk associated with the forthcoming parliamentary sittings, and his view on the likelihood of a super-spreader event.
He replied:He replied:
Asked if he knew how many people had been granted exemptions, Kidd said:Asked if he knew how many people had been granted exemptions, Kidd said:
Hello everyone, Justine Landis-Hanley here bringing you the late-afternoon/ evening news.Hello everyone, Justine Landis-Hanley here bringing you the late-afternoon/ evening news.
First things first, let’s catch up with what’s happened today so far:First things first, let’s catch up with what’s happened today so far:
NSW recorded 239 new cases of community transmission, only 80 of which are confirmed to have been in isolation for their entire infectious period.NSW recorded 239 new cases of community transmission, only 80 of which are confirmed to have been in isolation for their entire infectious period.
Acting chief medical officer Prof Michael Kidd says less than 1% of people who tested positive to Covid-19 in the NSW outbreak so far were vaccinated.Acting chief medical officer Prof Michael Kidd says less than 1% of people who tested positive to Covid-19 in the NSW outbreak so far were vaccinated.
NSW is also dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak at a nursing home in Summer Hill. Nine residents have been diagnosed with the virus – most of whom have been vaccinated – and have been transferred to hospital.NSW is also dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak at a nursing home in Summer Hill. Nine residents have been diagnosed with the virus – most of whom have been vaccinated – and have been transferred to hospital.
Queensland has recorded nine new cases. The news comes as the state’s south-east regions complete the first day of a snap three-day lockdown in response to an outbreak of the Delta variant in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.Queensland has recorded nine new cases. The news comes as the state’s south-east regions complete the first day of a snap three-day lockdown in response to an outbreak of the Delta variant in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Victoria has recorded just four new cases of community transmission in the last 24 hours. All of the cases are linked to known outbreaks and were all in isolation during their entire infectious period.Victoria has recorded just four new cases of community transmission in the last 24 hours. All of the cases are linked to known outbreaks and were all in isolation during their entire infectious period.
Victoria is also delaying people’s second doses of Pfizer from three weeks to six weeks to ensure that more people can get their first shot. Chief health officer Brett Sutton said Victoria was well placed to hit 70% and 80% Covid-19 vaccination coverage, which would trigger escalating levels of freedom from restrictions nationwide.Victoria is also delaying people’s second doses of Pfizer from three weeks to six weeks to ensure that more people can get their first shot. Chief health officer Brett Sutton said Victoria was well placed to hit 70% and 80% Covid-19 vaccination coverage, which would trigger escalating levels of freedom from restrictions nationwide.
Speaking of vaccinations, Australia administered 4.5m vaccine doses in July, up from 3.4m in June and 2.1m in MaySpeaking of vaccinations, Australia administered 4.5m vaccine doses in July, up from 3.4m in June and 2.1m in May
Meanwhile, over in Western Australia, health authorities are still monitoring nine active cases of Covid-19 on the cargo ship MV Darya Krishna, which docked in Fremantle this week.Meanwhile, over in Western Australia, health authorities are still monitoring nine active cases of Covid-19 on the cargo ship MV Darya Krishna, which docked in Fremantle this week.
As always, if you have any yarns, tweets, or opinions you want to send my way, you can message me on twitter @justinel_hAs always, if you have any yarns, tweets, or opinions you want to send my way, you can message me on twitter @justinel_h
With that I’ll hand over to the wonderful Justine Landis-Hanley, who will take you through the evening.With that I’ll hand over to the wonderful Justine Landis-Hanley, who will take you through the evening.
Thank you for your company. If you’re in Sydney or south-east Queensland – stay home, stay indoors, you’ve got this.Thank you for your company. If you’re in Sydney or south-east Queensland – stay home, stay indoors, you’ve got this.
Guardian Australia’s Daniel Hurst asked what the role of those anti-viral drugs could be alongside the vaccine rollout and other measures.Guardian Australia’s Daniel Hurst asked what the role of those anti-viral drugs could be alongside the vaccine rollout and other measures.
Kidd said:Kidd said:
And on vaccinations - how many doses would have to be administered each week to reach the target of having 70% of Australians fully vaccinated by the end of the year?And on vaccinations - how many doses would have to be administered each week to reach the target of having 70% of Australians fully vaccinated by the end of the year?
Kidd said he’d let reporters do the maths, but said:Kidd said he’d let reporters do the maths, but said:
Kidd was asked if the Therapeutic Goods Administration was close to approving anti-viral pills which would be able to be used to treat Covid-19 at home.Kidd was asked if the Therapeutic Goods Administration was close to approving anti-viral pills which would be able to be used to treat Covid-19 at home.
He said to date the only approved anti-viral for Covid-19 was Remdesivir, which is an injection and only used in hospitals on people who are “seriously unwell”.He said to date the only approved anti-viral for Covid-19 was Remdesivir, which is an injection and only used in hospitals on people who are “seriously unwell”.
Kidd says that of the 2,700 locally-acquired cases of Covid-19 associated with the NSW outbreak and reported to the national notifiable disease surveillance system between 16 June and 28 July, “there have only been 15 people who were fully vaccinated who have become infected”.
That’s just 0.55% of all cases.
Kidd says:
Kidd said 4.5 million doses of Covid vaccines were administered in Australia in July, up from 3.4m in June and 2.1m in May.
Australia’s acting chief medical officer, Prof Michael Kidd, says all of the residents of a Summer Hill nursing home in Sydney who have tested positive to Covid-19 have been transferred to hospital.
As reported earlier, nine residents at the nursing home have been diagnosed with Covid-19. “Fortunately many have been vaccinated,” says Kidd.
Kidd is in Canberra and giving an update now on the national situation. Australia recorded 252 new locally-acquired cases overnight — 239 in NSW, nine in Queensland and four in Victoria.
In more depressing news, more than 80% of young turtles found off the coast of Queensland have ingested plastics.
From AAP:
Let’s go to Melbourne for a second, where Labor have announced their new candidate for the inner-city seat of Higgins, Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah.
Ananda-Rajah is an infectious diseases doctor at Alfred Health, who has been branded an AstraZeneca critic after she described the vaccine on Q+A in February as a “population-level experiment” and cautioned young people seeking access to the vaccine. She has also written opinion pieces in favour of the vaccine and addressing issues of vaccine hesitancy.
On Friday she released a statement via twitter saying all her comments have been in line with the Australian health advice, and that people should follow the health advice and get vaccinated.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles used the press conference confirming her nomination — which was held at Prahran town hall, the site of a vaccine clinic, which feels a bit on the nose — to criticise the Morrison government’s handling of the vaccine rollout.
He said:
For her part, Ananda-Rajah said that in areas with high community transmission — like Greater Sydney — people should take the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Sky News Australia has been banned from uploading content to YouTube for seven days after violating its medical misinformation policies by posting numerous videos which denied the existence of Covid-19 or encouraged people to use hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin.
The ban was imposed by the digital giant on Thursday afternoon, the day after the Daily Telegraph ended Alan Jones’s regular column amid controversy about his Covid-19 commentary which included calling the New South Wales chief health officer Kerry Chant a village idiot on his Sky News program.
YouTube has not disclosed which Sky News program the videos were from but said there were “numerous” offending videos which have now been removed.
The Sky News Australia YouTube channel, which has 1.85m subscribers, has been issued a strike and is temporarily suspended from uploading new videos or livestreams for one week.
Read more:
The NSW opposition leader, Chris Minns, told reporters in Sydney earlier that Labor will support “any measure the government needs to take” in order to meet the target of ending the Sydney lockdown on 28 August.
Minns said:
He also called on the NSW government to release the health advice.
It’s a very supportive, very conciliatory message — quite different to the course taken by the Liberal state opposition in Victoria.
Guardian Australia’s data editor, Nick Evershed, has been crunching the numbers on the Sydney outbreak and says things are “well and truly worse than the first wave”.
And here’s a state by state comparison.
Firstly, NSW cases by isolation status.
And then Victoria by isolation status.
Revenue from speed cameras in regional NSW and Sydney’s western suburbs has jumped since the NSW government decided to remove warning signs from mobile speed cameras last year, figures from Revenue NSW show.
More from AAP:
An important correction to an earlier post: this is Andrew Hoy’s eighth olympic games. He is has competed in more Olympic games than any other Australian athlete.