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Australia Covid updates live: Victoria records 423 cases, two deaths; NSW due to hit single dose target; Singapore Airlines cancelling dozens of flights Australia Covid updates live: Victoria records 423 cases, two deaths; NSW due to hit single dose target; Singapore Airlines cancelling dozens of flights
(32 minutes later)
Follow today’s newsFollow today’s news
So the big question with NSW now is “will the hospital system cope” as the state continues to records more than 1000 cases a day.
President of the Australian medical association, Omar Khorshid is chatting with ABC now, trying to answer that question.
The number of babies born in New South Wales hospitals has reached the highest level since the state began keeping records a decade ago, despite expert predictions the Covid pandemic was unlikely to spark a baby boom.
The latest report from the state’s Bureau of Health Information, released on Wednesday, reveals that 19,113 babies were born in public hospitals across NSW in the April to June quarter of 2021.
That was a 9% year-on-year increase and the highest quarterly figure since the bureau began recording the data in 2010. The health department said it marked the continuance of a “significant upswing” in births during the pandemic compared to the declining birth rate over the past decade.
Experts have argued a Covid baby boom is unlikely in Australia but those on the maternity frontline told Guardian Australia in June that hospitals were under strain because of a spike in births.
You can read the full report below:
Here is that full video announcement from the Queensland premier, on over 60’s being eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Speaking of Queensland politics, the Greens intend to introduce a bill today to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14.
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has announced that, due to an increase of supply, from this weekend over 60’s in Queensland will now have the option to access the Pfizer vaccine, rather than just AstraZeneca.
This comes as the state ramps up for a “super weekend” of vaccinations.
Currently, 57.12% of over 16-year-old Queenslanders have had one vaccine dose and 38.78% are fully vaccinated.
Queensland has had a doughnut day, with no local Covid-19 cases recorded overnight.
This again supports the chief health officers declaration yesterday that the Sunnybank outbreak had been successfully contained.
And here is what those Victorian numbers look like on the big graph.And here is what those Victorian numbers look like on the big graph.
Many thanks to Josh Nicholas for this!Many thanks to Josh Nicholas for this!
Looks like we will be hearing from the NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian at the Covid-19 press conference today.Looks like we will be hearing from the NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian at the Covid-19 press conference today.
I’m not sure if that suggests good news or bad news. Only time will tell.I’m not sure if that suggests good news or bad news. Only time will tell.
The Victorian ombudsman is today launching an investigation into Covid-19 related state travel exemptions, specifically looking into who has or hasn’t been allowed to enter Victoria either as visitors or residents returning home.The Victorian ombudsman is today launching an investigation into Covid-19 related state travel exemptions, specifically looking into who has or hasn’t been allowed to enter Victoria either as visitors or residents returning home.
Ombudsman Deborah Glass said in her statement this morning that complaints about the system were continuing, “raising potentially systemic issues about departmental decision-making”.Ombudsman Deborah Glass said in her statement this morning that complaints about the system were continuing, “raising potentially systemic issues about departmental decision-making”.
Glass will present the results of her investigation to the state parliament at the end of the year.Glass will present the results of her investigation to the state parliament at the end of the year.
Victoria has recorded another 423 new local Covid-19 cases overnight. Only 149 of these are currently linked.Victoria has recorded another 423 new local Covid-19 cases overnight. Only 149 of these are currently linked.
Sadly two people infected with Covid-19 have also died.Sadly two people infected with Covid-19 have also died.
Hmmmmm it’s 8.56am and no Victorian Covid-19 numbers yet. Not happy Jan.Hmmmmm it’s 8.56am and no Victorian Covid-19 numbers yet. Not happy Jan.
Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg says businesses should be free to deny entry to people based on vaccination status.Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg says businesses should be free to deny entry to people based on vaccination status.
He spoke with Nine Network a short time ago:He spoke with Nine Network a short time ago:
Australia’s agricultural sector can reach net zero emissions by 2040, achieving emissions reductions of 40% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 by scaling up existing Morrison government programs, according to new work from Ernst & Young.Australia’s agricultural sector can reach net zero emissions by 2040, achieving emissions reductions of 40% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 by scaling up existing Morrison government programs, according to new work from Ernst & Young.
The core of the abatement strategy modelled for the group Farmers for Climate Action involves reducing methane, electrifying transport, overhauling some land use, including more reforestation of marginal farmland, and improving land management through practices like increasing carbon sequestered in cropland.The core of the abatement strategy modelled for the group Farmers for Climate Action involves reducing methane, electrifying transport, overhauling some land use, including more reforestation of marginal farmland, and improving land management through practices like increasing carbon sequestered in cropland.
The Ernst & Young analysis also includes a case study of the electorate of Maranoa now held by the federal agriculture minister and Queensland National, David Littleproud. It notes climate-related risks are likely to affect the main industry sectors in Maranoa which include agriculture, mining, electricity, gas and water, and construction.The Ernst & Young analysis also includes a case study of the electorate of Maranoa now held by the federal agriculture minister and Queensland National, David Littleproud. It notes climate-related risks are likely to affect the main industry sectors in Maranoa which include agriculture, mining, electricity, gas and water, and construction.
You can read the full report by Katharine Murphy and Sarah Martin below:You can read the full report by Katharine Murphy and Sarah Martin below:
Marshall has been asked about SA’s approach to borders compared to the hardline approach from WA premier Mark McGowan.Marshall has been asked about SA’s approach to borders compared to the hardline approach from WA premier Mark McGowan.
Unlike the other Covid-19 free states, the SA premier, Steven Marshall, has so far seemed pretty content to open the borders when his state reaches the 80% double vaccination rate.
On one hand that might not be that surprising given SA has a Liberal government in power, but then again Tasmania is blue and get they are steadfast about keeping Covid-19 out of the Island state.
Marshall has just been asked about his opinion on when is the best time to open up.
Speaking of South Australia’s expanded home quarantine trial, the premier, Steven Marshall, has just appeared on ABC News Breakfast to chat through all the details of the app that’s making it all possible.
A 60-year-old worker has died and another has been seriously injured after a coalmine shaft collapsed in central Queensland, reports Marty Silk from AAP.
The man and another man were trapped when a section of wall and ceiling the shaft they were working in collapsed at the Gregory Crinum coalmine, north of Emerald, about 11pm on Tuesday.
The 60-year-old suffered critical injuries with police confirming he died at the scene.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said the other man had initially been “encapsulated” with leg and pelvic injuries.
He was eventually was then freed before being airlifted to Rockhampton hospital in a serious condition.
A third person suffered a “medical event” and was taken to Emerald hospital for treatment.
The Gregory Crinum coalmine is operated by Sojitz Blue, the Australian subsidiary of Japan’s Sojitz Corporation.
The Queensland mines inspectorate is investigating the accident with resources minister Scott Stewart expected to make a statement to parliament later on Wednesday.
Lifting lockdown restrictions in two stages in New South Wales could overwhelm intensive care units for up to five weeks over the Christmas period, according to modelling from a new expert advisory group.
Easing restrictions when 70% of NSW adults are fully vaccinated and further relaxing rules at 80% would lead to a “worst-case scenario”, suggests OzSage, a newly formed advisory group of experts in epidemiology, health and economics.
The modelling also suggests that waiting for an 80% vaccination rate – estimated to occur in November – to ease any restrictions would result in greater infections, deaths and peak daily ICU beds needed than if restrictions were eased at 70%. It predicts 689 deaths in NSW by 1 February if restrictions are eased at 70%, compared with 1,004 deaths at 80%.
The finding is at odds with separate modelling from researchers at three universities, which last month suggested that reopening at an 80% vaccination rate for adults would result in 4,000 fewer deaths across Australia than reopening at 70%.
You can read the full report below:
Karl Schubert is asked what it would take for some of those Singapore Airlines flights to come back online before December:
Singapore Airlines spokesperson Karl Schubert is outlining the challenges of working with Australia’s strict international arrival caps.
He is asked how many passengers on average are allowed on each flight:
OK, we are getting a bit more information on Singapore airlines cancelling dozens of flights into Australia through to the end of the year.
Company representative Karl Schubert tells ABC radio that despite the Australian government promising to open up international travel soon, there still isn’t enough “clarity” and the returned traveller caps are still too restrictive:
South Australia is expanding its home quarantine trial to include returning overseas travellers for the first time.
The first round will involve 90 ADF personnel returning from “low-risk countries”.
Foreign airlines won’t be able to ramp up operations to meet the mass reopening of international travel into Sydney when 80% vaccination is reached because they will need several months to recall laid-off staff and retrieve planes that have been parked in deserts.
Barry Abrams, the executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia, told Guardian Australia that airlines continued to be left in the dark about what the new rules and passenger limits would be, leaving them stuck “in a holding pattern”, unable to commence planning for resuming routes.
Passenger allowances are a key factor for airlines in determining the financial viability of their routes, and Abrams warned that carriers that had not flown to the country in more than a year had not yet begun allocating aircraft or staff to Australian routes, nor had they begun renegotiating contracts with ground handling crews and local supply businesses.
You can read the full report below:
Good morning everyone, it’s hump day so go make yourself a double shot long black and settle in, because we have a big morning of news ahead of us.
It’s Matilda Boseley here, and let’s jump right in.
NSW and Victoria are both on the edge of hitting vaccination milestones. (Not the all-important double dose vaccine targets, but the less significant, but still exciting, single-dose goals.)
Four out of five NSW residents aged over 16 are likely to have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the day – which for the non-mathematically minded means 80%.
This is important because it all but guarantees NSW will meet the reopening target of 80% double-dose coverage in the coming months.
Some 79.5% of the over-16 population in NSW had come forward to get at least one jab by Tuesday, and 47.5% were fully vaccinated.
Melburnians are also on the edge of a (slight) increase in freedoms with Victoria expected to hit its 70% single-dose vaccination target on Friday.
When this occurs they will get an extra hour of outdoor activity and the 5km travel radius will be expanded to 10km. Look it isn’t much, but I’ll take what I can get.
In other news, Singapore Airlines seem to have cancelled dozens of flights in recent days, potentially trapping thousands of Australians overseas. We don’t have that many details get but someone from the airline is expected to speak to the media soon and I’ll bring you all the updates when I can.
With that, why don’t we jump into the day?