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Covid news live update: mask mandates in place across most of Australia as Omicron cases soar; Hunt reportedly to announce shorter booster interval Australia Covid news live update: millions more eligible for booster shot with interval reduced to four months; NSW records 5,612 cases, Victoria 2,095
(33 minutes later)
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Another thing to look at is how many tests are coming back positive. We’re still seeing high testing numbers in both states. Kelly is up.
Some 2.57% of today’s tests in Victoria came back positive. In NSW, that figure is 3.42%. So both a little up on the seven day average. He starts will a callout to anyone in Australia eligible for their first two primary doses to get vaccinated as “the most important component of protection”. Why bring forward the booster? To protect people from severe disease, and to prevent transmission of the virus:
Finally, people queuing for something other than a Covid test. It is unclear how this will work - regarding jurisdictions having capacity to bring forward the booster dates before 4 January.
So the good news is we haven’t seen a dramatic rise in case numbers in New South Wales or Victoria overnight. They’ve remained relatively stable in both states, and actually dropped a smidge in NSW. Do state and territory premiers announce if they have capacity to bring forward the dates to roll out boosters? Do individual clinics announce it? If I want to get a booster now, at four months between doses, where do I go?
Turning to hospitalisations, they have jumped by 35 in NSW overnight, including a further eight people requiring intensive care. Either way, it once again comes down to an issue of supply.
In Victoria, hospitalisations are stable, with a small increase of people requiring intensive care up by three to 75. Hunt concludes by wishing Australians a “strong” Christmas:
Numbers are in over in NSW, and it’s another high number, though still slightly down on Thursday - 5,612 Covid cases. Hunt says jurisdictions can bring forward the reduced booster eligibility, flagged at four months on 4 January and three months on 31 January if they believe they have “the capacity” to do so.
There has been one death, and there are 382 people being treated in hospital including 53 in intensive care. This is likely to occur in South Australia based on capacity at state clinics:
Victoria has recorded 2,095 cases and, sadly, eight further deaths. Atagi has been going through a “constant review process” of international evidence, Greg Hunt says. The cohort will more than double to 7.5 million people eligible for boosters from 4 January when the period is reduced:
There are 397 people being treated in hospital. Greg Hunt says 192,000 doses were delivered yesterday and the 2m booster mark will be reached this morning:
This hasn’t been independently verified by Guardian Australia but 10 News is reporting Hunt is poised to announce a reduction of the booster dose interval to four months. Health minister Greg Hunt and chief health officer Paul Kelly are up.
The Sydney fireworks display will still go ahead at this stage, despite record Covid case numbers. NSW MP Stuart Ayres: The interval between Covid shots will be reduced to four months from 4 January. And it will be reduced to three months on 31 January based upon Atagi advice, Hunt says.
Nice weather in Melbourne? It’s a Christmas miracle! Queensland health minister Yvette D’Ath and chief health officer Dr John Gerrard will hold a press conference at 10am AEST.
It may be Christmas Eve but the news stops for no man! While we wait for Greg Hunt to speak and reportedly announce a reduced interval between Covid shots (he’s due at 9.30am), I got three out of six in the Wordle today.
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 187 3/6
What is Wordle, you ask? Read all about the new viral word game delighting the internet:
More, if not reassuring, then not horrifically bad news. The Reff is on a downward trend in NSW, seeing a 4.4-day doubling time.
Meanwhile, many testing sites in Brisbane are closed over Christmas yet travellers are still required to get day five Covid tests. This site has been open since 8am Queensland time and will close at midday: