Gladys Berejiklian (GB), Kerry Chant (KC), & Birth Unit Director at Liverpool Hospital today.
Held today outside at Qudos Bank Arena so predicting audio is going to be a challenge!
Today’s key numbers/areas
1,259 new locally acquired cases + 2 O/S acquired cases. 😢 12 more deaths.
Number of tests not given today.
1,241 in hospital, 234 in ICU (185 of those are not vaccinated), 108 ventilated.
🎯Vaccination rates today are at 80% for 1st dose, 47.5% for 2nd dose. Some communities are inching towards 90%.
Curfew will be lifted in 12 LGAs of concern from tonight.
Sewage detections in Young (have identified a person who was in Wagga Wagga, Young & Mudgee)
Are seeing some stabilisation in some LGAs of concern, and thankfully some downturn.
Still a high number of new cases in Western and South-Western Sydney.
Today’s Messaging/updates/Q&A
Definite and absolute clarification that you will NOT be able to do much at all unless you are double vaccinated under the Health Orders. That’s ANYTHING on the Roadmap.
Birthing Unit director at Liverpool Hospital is up. All women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. Pfizer is the recommended vaccine for this cohort. Safety profile of the vaccine in pregnancy has been studied extensively, and the data O/S supports that it’s safe. The biggest risk is if you get COVID. Greatest risk is not the vaccine, if you get COVID while pregnant you are at DOUBLE the risk of needing ICU admission, greater risk of needing ventilation, greater risk of pre-term delivery, and DOUBLE the risk of stillbirth. That’s terrifying. Stressing that antibodies produced after getting the vaccine will be passed on and provide some protection to your baby. Are having to deliver babies pre-term because mothers are so unwell, having to separate babies from parents after birth. This is bloody heartbreaking.
Calls to lift some suburbs out of LGAs of concern and/or lifting some restrictions Q, Lots of waffle here. A reminder (from me) that in recent days there has been quite a bit around the fact that they look at the ability of the health system to respond by LGA (among other factors).
Supply issues gets yet another mention, particularly around the lack of available Pfizer for the younger cohort in some areas. That’s obviously having an impact on getting the vaccination rates where they need to be.
Byron Bay gets a mention as an area with a high proportion not willing to get vaccinated. Some Drs are calling for areas – presumably like Byron Bay – with low vaccination rates to be ‘ringfenced’. Sounds like the option of restricting the non-vaccinated to their LGAs is going to be on the table.
“Greater good” gets trotted out today.
Q past indications has been it will be up to businesses to decide if they only provide services to vaccinated. Today it’s absolutely confirmed there will be a Health Order at 70% double dose target being reached. “It will be a requirement” that you can only enter some venues, including hospitality, and receive some services (hairdressing given as the example) ONLY IF YOU ARE DOUBLE VACCINATED. Apparently some pubs have said that they aren’t going to enforce this. That’s going to be interesting.
Still working on what will be allowable when 80% double dose target reached.
Vaccination rates have slowed in recent days so guessing this may be behind this decision?
Yes indeed, operators will be navigating a legal minefield. I sincerely hope that they get this well and truly locked down. And that they are able to provide the tech solution/s to check patrons status.
Q on whether 70% roadmap was released without legal advice. No clear answer on this, refers back to the Non-National Cabinet plan/advice. Lots of references to the Doherty Plan today too. At 80% double vaccinated O/S travel and the return of those stranded O/S is definitely on the cards for NSW. State borders will not come down until ALL states reach 80%. That’s not surprising.
Working through compliance regime now for businesses, particularly how to assist smaller businesses. Will be able to provide that certainty “weeks ahead” of opening up, including what the penalties will be. For both individuals and businesses.
Will health workers and teachers who are choosing not to get vaccinated lose their jobs? Working through those issues “as we speak”. Given that deadline is just around the corner might want to get a wriggle on with that? GB believes health system worker vaccination rates are at about 90%. KC confirms there is a real push on for this and that it’s actually 88% 1st dose, 80% fully vaccinated. Confirming there are other mandatory vaccines required for health care workers so this shouldn’t be any different. Q on boosters for this sector gets raised, this I gather is still with ATAGI to provide their decision/advice on.
Vaccination supply for the State is static for next couple of weeks. KC calling out pharmacies and GPs for doing a great job. Reminder that it’s 2 to 3 weeks post double vaccination that full effect takes place.
Sounds like Young may be locked down very soon, still reviewing the data. The rumour mill is rife that that may happen tonight.
Is stabilisation in some areas due to lockdown measures or vaccination rates. It’s probably going to take a while for the data crunching to prove what has tipped the scales here. I’m betting that high vaccination rates will be the deciding factor.
KC once more reinforcing that the older cohort REALLY need to get out and get vaccinated. Apparently other States are opening up Pfizer for them? KC is looking for 95% vaccination target for older cohort. Reiterates that AZ is a good vaccine. GB also reinforcing this one. Think vaccination rate for over 70s is near 90%. Reinforcement also that it’s not just being fully vaccinated. Everyone still needs to be careful, what they do, where they go, etc.
Booster requirements comes up. Clear that ATAGI is still considering this. And possibly whether vaccine choice may be opened up?
Will 5km radius, masks, working from home remain at 70% Q. Roadmap yes, NSW Health participated in this, KC making it clear that it will be an evolving and targeted response however depending on what’s happening in a particular area at that particular time.
Newmarch House had a health care provider who entered and was positive. They were fully vaccinated. That person had contact with a small number of people. Testing is underway for that facility.
Qudos is an issue that mothers apparently can’t go in to get vaccinated if they have their babies with them? KC suggests they should perhaps check with their GPs. They may not have had vaccine when first contacted but they are likely to now.
What is the health advice preventing changes in restrictions for 12 LGAs of concern? KC – are reviewing data daily but also seeing spread into surrounding areas. EVERYTHING is under review. Callout to these areas for efforts in getting vaccination rates up. Key factor is clearly going to be driving the case numbers down.
That’s it for today. Stay safe, wear your mask, maintain physical distancing, and follow the Health Orders.
Talking Politics Over Dinner 