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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 NSW records 239 new cases as Queensland reports nine – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
Follow all the day’s news This blog is now closed
OK, last but not least, what has been happening on a national level today?OK, last but not least, what has been happening on a national level today?
The main thing is that we heard from Australia’s acting chief medical officer, Prof Michael Kidd about the way our vaccine rollout is going.The main thing is that we heard from Australia’s acting chief medical officer, Prof Michael Kidd about the way our vaccine rollout is going.
Kidd said that yesterday Australia broke a record and saw 110,000 vaccine doses administered in just one day. That takes us to over 12.3 million doses administered.Kidd said that yesterday Australia broke a record and saw 110,000 vaccine doses administered in just one day. That takes us to over 12.3 million doses administered.
According to Kidd, 40.8% of people aged 16 and above have now received a first dose of a vaccine and 19% of people have received both doses. Just under 80% of people in Australia aged over 70 have received a first doze and 41.8% are fully protected with two dozes.According to Kidd, 40.8% of people aged 16 and above have now received a first dose of a vaccine and 19% of people have received both doses. Just under 80% of people in Australia aged over 70 have received a first doze and 41.8% are fully protected with two dozes.
And, to illustrate how important and effective the vaccine is at keeping us all safe and healthy, Kidd said that less than 1% of people who have tested positive to Covid-19 in the Sydney outbreak were fully vaccinated.And, to illustrate how important and effective the vaccine is at keeping us all safe and healthy, Kidd said that less than 1% of people who have tested positive to Covid-19 in the Sydney outbreak were fully vaccinated.
That’s all from me today, folks. Thank you for joining us on the Guardian live blog today. This is Justine Landis-Hanley signing off.That’s all from me today, folks. Thank you for joining us on the Guardian live blog today. This is Justine Landis-Hanley signing off.
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: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.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.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!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.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.OK, back to summarising today’s headlines.
Let’s turn to Queensland. Here’s what happened today:Let’s turn to Queensland. Here’s what happened today:
The state recorded nine new cases of community transmission.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.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.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.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.Tasmania closed its border with south-east Queensland late on Saturday and forced some 11,000 recent arrivals from the mainland state into isolation.
A contractor working on the Rookwood Weir west of Rockhampton has tested positive for Covid-19.A contractor working on the Rookwood Weir west of Rockhampton has tested positive for Covid-19.
The case means the Queensland outbreak has spread well beyond the state’s south-east, where a three-day lockdown is under way.The case means the Queensland outbreak has spread well beyond the state’s south-east, where a three-day lockdown is under way.
The woman is believed to have been infectious when she took a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton on 28 July and a return flight on 30 July.The woman is believed to have been infectious when she took a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton on 28 July and a return flight on 30 July.
Health authorities are urgently testing workers at the weir work camp, who are in their rooms for 14 days’ quarantine.Health authorities are urgently testing workers at the weir work camp, who are in their rooms for 14 days’ quarantine.
Other workers who have been at the site have been contacted and told to isolate.Other workers who have been at the site have been contacted and told to isolate.
The woman was an external contractor at the site and tested positive on 31 July.The woman was an external contractor at the site and tested positive on 31 July.
Authorities are also contacting people who were on QF2362 at 8.30am on 28 July and QF2365 at 6.40pm on 30 July.Authorities are also contacting people who were on QF2362 at 8.30am on 28 July and QF2365 at 6.40pm on 30 July.
Queensland reported nine new local COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the highest number in almost a year.Queensland reported nine new local COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the highest number in almost a year.
There are more than 80 exposure sites linked to the outbreak, with about 20 new sites of concern listed on Sunday.There are more than 80 exposure sites linked to the outbreak, with about 20 new sites of concern listed on Sunday.
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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 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.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 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.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”.