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Australia news live update: at least 98 Covid deaths on nation’s deadliest day; flash floods in severe Melbourne storms; Russia’s ambassador hits back at Dutton Australia news live update: at least 98 Covid deaths on nation’s deadliest day; flash floods in severe Melbourne storms; Russia’s ambassador hits back at Dutton
(32 minutes later)
Follow all the day’s newsFollow all the day’s news
There have been 98 deaths of people with Covid-19 reported so far today.There have been 98 deaths of people with Covid-19 reported so far today.
NSW has reported 35 deaths in people with Covid-19 overnight, 2,737 people in hospital and 13,333 new cases.NSW has reported 35 deaths in people with Covid-19 overnight, 2,737 people in hospital and 13,333 new cases.
Victoria has reported 39 deaths in people with Covid-19 overnight, 988 people in hospital and 12,755 new cases.Victoria has reported 39 deaths in people with Covid-19 overnight, 988 people in hospital and 12,755 new cases.
Queensland has reported 18 deaths, 12 of those in aged care. There were 9,974 new cases reported and 818 people in hospital, with 54 in ICU.Queensland has reported 18 deaths, 12 of those in aged care. There were 9,974 new cases reported and 818 people in hospital, with 54 in ICU.
South Australia has reported five deaths in people with Covid-19 overnight, 285 people in hospital with 24 in ICU and 1,846 new cases.South Australia has reported five deaths in people with Covid-19 overnight, 285 people in hospital with 24 in ICU and 1,846 new cases.
ACT has reported one death in people with Covid-19 overnight, 66 people in hospital with five in ICU and 734 new cases.ACT has reported one death in people with Covid-19 overnight, 66 people in hospital with five in ICU and 734 new cases.
Tasmania has reported 584 new cases of Covid-19 overnight, with 19 people in hospital.Tasmania has reported 584 new cases of Covid-19 overnight, with 19 people in hospital.
The NT has reported 940 new cases of Covid-19 overnight, with yesterday’s case numbers revised from 626 to 747.The NT has reported 940 new cases of Covid-19 overnight, with yesterday’s case numbers revised from 626 to 747.
We will update this post as the numbers come in from other states and territories.We will update this post as the numbers come in from other states and territories.
Back in Victoria:
Canberrans – be careful this mushrooming season:
McGowan has repeatedly emphasised the record numbers of Covid deaths in Australia in the past week as justification for keeping definitions for close contact and isolation rules in WA tighter than the rest of the nation when it does open up to the virus.
He says the rules are closely modelled off SA.
Interesting stat:Interesting stat:
Before McGowan announced the reopening of the border (and then backflipped), this has probably been the most significant acknowledgment that it is not a matter of if Covid arrives in greater numbers in WA, but when.Before McGowan announced the reopening of the border (and then backflipped), this has probably been the most significant acknowledgment that it is not a matter of if Covid arrives in greater numbers in WA, but when.
The changes will only be introduced when (and the terminology in this presser has been “when”) WA records high daily case numbers, but – though stricter than the national definition of close contacts – it will be a huge game changer for how the state has been managing Covid cases thus far.The changes will only be introduced when (and the terminology in this presser has been “when”) WA records high daily case numbers, but – though stricter than the national definition of close contacts – it will be a huge game changer for how the state has been managing Covid cases thus far.
The last thing to change in WA “in the event of a very high caseload environment” is a re-definition of close contacts for critical workers – similar to what we’ve seen in the rest of Australia.The last thing to change in WA “in the event of a very high caseload environment” is a re-definition of close contacts for critical workers – similar to what we’ve seen in the rest of Australia.
Critical workers, if asymptomatic, will be able to continue to work if they are designated as a close contact.Critical workers, if asymptomatic, will be able to continue to work if they are designated as a close contact.
McGowan:McGowan:
So a fair string of industries.So a fair string of industries.
The third condition to change in WA is new testing and isolation protocols for positive cases and close contacts.The third condition to change in WA is new testing and isolation protocols for positive cases and close contacts.
Confirmed positive cases will need to self-isolate for a minimum of seven days instead of 14. McGowan says if symptoms are still present, they must keep isolating until they recover. Otherwise, they’re free to leave isolation after a week.Confirmed positive cases will need to self-isolate for a minimum of seven days instead of 14. McGowan says if symptoms are still present, they must keep isolating until they recover. Otherwise, they’re free to leave isolation after a week.
If you are a symptomatic close contact, you’re required to isolate for seven days from date of contact with a positive case, and to take a PCR or rapid antigen test as soon as possible. If positive, you must stay in isolation and take another RAT in 24 hours.If you are a symptomatic close contact, you’re required to isolate for seven days from date of contact with a positive case, and to take a PCR or rapid antigen test as soon as possible. If positive, you must stay in isolation and take another RAT in 24 hours.
If the test is negative or you are asymptomatic, you’re required to take a final RAT on day seven before leaving isolation.If the test is negative or you are asymptomatic, you’re required to take a final RAT on day seven before leaving isolation.
McGowan:McGowan:
McGowan says the Omicron variant is “impossible to eliminate and spreads fast”. In light of this fact, new settings will be brought in regarding the definition of a close contact when/if case numbers rise. For the moment, though, current isolation and close contact requirements still apply.McGowan says the Omicron variant is “impossible to eliminate and spreads fast”. In light of this fact, new settings will be brought in regarding the definition of a close contact when/if case numbers rise. For the moment, though, current isolation and close contact requirements still apply.
When settings change, casual contacts will no longer be considered, so being at an exposure site at the same time as a positive case won’t be a reason for testing and isolation. Check-ins will continue despite this so people can monitor for symptoms.When settings change, casual contacts will no longer be considered, so being at an exposure site at the same time as a positive case won’t be a reason for testing and isolation. Check-ins will continue despite this so people can monitor for symptoms.
The definition of a close contact will change to a household member or intimate partner, or someone who has had “close personal interaction” with a confirmed case during their infectious period - which means 15 minutes of face-to-face contact where no masks were present, or more than two hours in a small room where masks had at least partially been removed. Close contacts must get tested and isolate for 14 days.The definition of a close contact will change to a household member or intimate partner, or someone who has had “close personal interaction” with a confirmed case during their infectious period - which means 15 minutes of face-to-face contact where no masks were present, or more than two hours in a small room where masks had at least partially been removed. Close contacts must get tested and isolate for 14 days.
McGowan:McGowan:
The WA premier, Mark McGowan, is speaking now in Perth. He says there have been nine local Covid-19 cases detected overnight – all linked to the current Omicron outbreak.The WA premier, Mark McGowan, is speaking now in Perth. He says there have been nine local Covid-19 cases detected overnight – all linked to the current Omicron outbreak.
McGowan:McGowan:
McGowan says yesterday was the deadliest day of the pandemic in Australia so far – a “hard, unavoidable and very uncomfortable fact”.McGowan says yesterday was the deadliest day of the pandemic in Australia so far – a “hard, unavoidable and very uncomfortable fact”.
Given the ongoing outbreak in WA, McGowan convened a state of disaster meeting to finalise “several issues” following how the outbreak has played out in eastern states.Given the ongoing outbreak in WA, McGowan convened a state of disaster meeting to finalise “several issues” following how the outbreak has played out in eastern states.
Australia has recorded its deadliest day ever of the Covid pandemic, with 98 deaths recorded, as the first cases of the BA.2 descendant of the Omicron variant have been recorded in NSW.Australia has recorded its deadliest day ever of the Covid pandemic, with 98 deaths recorded, as the first cases of the BA.2 descendant of the Omicron variant have been recorded in NSW.
There are now 35 cases of BA.2 in Australia overall including in Tasmania, ACT, Queensland, WA and Victoria.There are now 35 cases of BA.2 in Australia overall including in Tasmania, ACT, Queensland, WA and Victoria.
Of the new deaths, 39 were recorded in Victoria, 35 in NSW, 18 in Queensland, and one in the ACT. The previous one-day high was on 21 January, when 88 deaths were recorded.Of the new deaths, 39 were recorded in Victoria, 35 in NSW, 18 in Queensland, and one in the ACT. The previous one-day high was on 21 January, when 88 deaths were recorded.
While overall cases are plateauing, the country’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Prof Alison McMillan, said death rates were set to remain high for some time:While overall cases are plateauing, the country’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Prof Alison McMillan, said death rates were set to remain high for some time:
A reminder – motorists and passengers are “urged to be vigilant” amid the storms. As in, stay off the road if it’s flooding.A reminder – motorists and passengers are “urged to be vigilant” amid the storms. As in, stay off the road if it’s flooding.
In Queensland, ordinary commissioner of the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, Bruce Barbour, has been appointed acting chair.In Queensland, ordinary commissioner of the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, Bruce Barbour, has been appointed acting chair.
The state’s attorney general, Shannon Fentiman, lauded Barbour’s track record in law and risk assessment.The state’s attorney general, Shannon Fentiman, lauded Barbour’s track record in law and risk assessment.
The position for a permanent chair will be advertised nationally in accordance with the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.The position for a permanent chair will be advertised nationally in accordance with the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.
Barbour will begin his role as acting chair today.Barbour will begin his role as acting chair today.
Hail, heavy rain and thunderstorms have lashed Greater Melbourne as the cool change sweeps across Victoria.Hail, heavy rain and thunderstorms have lashed Greater Melbourne as the cool change sweeps across Victoria.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Gisborne and Melton in Victoria’s east and Belgrave in the state’s west.The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Gisborne and Melton in Victoria’s east and Belgrave in the state’s west.
Pakenham, Sunbury, Williamstown, Craigieburn, Footscray and St Alban are also forecast to be hit by heavy rainfall and hail this afternoon that could lead to flash flooding.Pakenham, Sunbury, Williamstown, Craigieburn, Footscray and St Alban are also forecast to be hit by heavy rainfall and hail this afternoon that could lead to flash flooding.
The BoM reported that Bullengarook in Victoria’s west recorded 21.8mm of rain in 30 minutes while Springvale in the state’s south-east was drenched with 35mm of rain in half an hour.The BoM reported that Bullengarook in Victoria’s west recorded 21.8mm of rain in 30 minutes while Springvale in the state’s south-east was drenched with 35mm of rain in half an hour.
Meanwhile motorists and passengers are “urged to be vigilant” with the severe thunderstorm warning and heavy rain moving across Melbourne.Meanwhile motorists and passengers are “urged to be vigilant” with the severe thunderstorm warning and heavy rain moving across Melbourne.
Victoria’s State Emergency Service has issued a watch and act thunderstorm alert for Greater Melbourne including Paekenham, Sunbury and Williamstown.Victoria’s State Emergency Service has issued a watch and act thunderstorm alert for Greater Melbourne including Paekenham, Sunbury and Williamstown.
The emergency agency also issued a flash food watch and act alert for Elwood Creek and Castlemaine, with residents urged to stay indoors.The emergency agency also issued a flash food watch and act alert for Elwood Creek and Castlemaine, with residents urged to stay indoors.
Some of the greatest impacted areas include:Some of the greatest impacted areas include:
Bell Street, Preston is closed eastbound between Albert Street and Chifley Drive, due to fallen power lines. Use Murray and Southern roads instead.Bell Street, Preston is closed eastbound between Albert Street and Chifley Drive, due to fallen power lines. Use Murray and Southern roads instead.
Outbound traffic is reduced to one lane on the Princes Highway, Berwick between Clyde Road and Wheeler Street, due to a fallen tree. There are heavy delays in the area.Outbound traffic is reduced to one lane on the Princes Highway, Berwick between Clyde Road and Wheeler Street, due to a fallen tree. There are heavy delays in the area.
There are areas of flooding on the Monash Freeway, particularly around Kooyong and Glen Iris. The inbound entry from High Street is closed.There are areas of flooding on the Monash Freeway, particularly around Kooyong and Glen Iris. The inbound entry from High Street is closed.
Buses will replace trains on the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines between Parliament and Clifton Hill, due to equipment damage caused by the weather.Buses will replace trains on the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines between Parliament and Clifton Hill, due to equipment damage caused by the weather.
Coaches are replacing V/Line trains between Geelong and Waurn Ponds, due to an equipment fault near South Geelong.Coaches are replacing V/Line trains between Geelong and Waurn Ponds, due to an equipment fault near South Geelong.
There are areas of flooding on Springvale Road, Glen Waverley as well at the Princes Highway through Mulgrave.There are areas of flooding on Springvale Road, Glen Waverley as well at the Princes Highway through Mulgrave.
There are delays of 30 minutes for the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, and of 40 minutes for the Frankston Line, due to flooding on the tracks.There are delays of 30 minutes for the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, and of 40 minutes for the Frankston Line, due to flooding on the tracks.
There are several tram services diverting or operating in sections due to flooding or debris on the tracks.There are several tram services diverting or operating in sections due to flooding or debris on the tracks.
The Bureau of Meteorology says severe thunderstorms continue to hit large parts of greater Melbourne. There is an ongoing forecast for heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones for northern greater Melbourne and parts of the inner east, inner and outer east areas:The Bureau of Meteorology says severe thunderstorms continue to hit large parts of greater Melbourne. There is an ongoing forecast for heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones for northern greater Melbourne and parts of the inner east, inner and outer east areas: