Missed yesterday due to unexpected emergency fence repairs, sorry!
Gladys Berejiklian, Dr Mac today.
Today’s key numbers/areas
1,083 new locally acquired cases + 2 O/S acquired cases. 😢 13 more deaths (9 of those unvaccinated).
99,782 tests.
k+ cases, majority being cared for in community.
1,238 in hospital, 234 in ICU, 123 ventilated.
Since 16th June there have been 241 COVID related deaths, 267 since the start of the pandemic.
🎯Vaccination rates today are at 81.9% for 1st vaccinations, 51.9% for fully vaccinated.
🎯Vaccination rates for 12-15yo are at 17% for 1st vaccinations.
Sewage detections in Cowra, South Kempsey, Ballina, Eden, Byron Bay, Wardell, Balranald, Griffith (and missed 1 there I think).
Still a high number of new cases in Western and South-Western Sydney.
Redfern had no new cases in the housing development blocks, there is a vaccination blitz in Redfern and Waterloo today.
Regional cases – 64 Illawarra, 20 Central Coast, 13 Hunter, 8 Western NSW, 10 far West, 3 Yass, 3 Batemans Bay, 1 Goulburn, 2 Kempsey, 1 Coffs Harbour, 1 Lismore.
Today’s Messaging/updates/Q&A
Everyone in the 12 LGAs of concern will be delighted to hear that some restrictions will be eased from tomorrow. Understand that they’ll be on the same footing as everyone else. Singles will be especially delighted to hear that their buddy can now come from anywhere in Greater Sydney. The exception is the rules around essential/authorised workers in these LGAs.
Public pools will be re-opening across the State next week, as long as COVID safe plans are in place. More questions came up later around what drove the decision on pools. Q specifically on does this apply to both indoor and outdoor pools. GB answered that it applies to “public pools”. ABC recap subsequently stated it applied to outdoor pools so who knows … There are areas (like here in the Southern Highlands) where public pools are indoors. Sounding like this may not have been fully thought through?
Still too early to call if the peak has been reached and on the downward trend. It is however looking encouraging. Not consistent enough across the board.
Are there some restrictions in place just for the sake of restrictions, specifically around mask wearing? Way too early to drop our guard at this point. Don’t know who this journo is but he’s quite fixated on this and follows up with why not removal of masks outdoors for the fully vaccinated. Given the extraordinarily high transmission rates for Delta I’m pretty comfortable with continuing to wear a mask outdoors, as I think plenty of others will be too.
No change to back to school plans.
AMA isn’t confident that reduction in case numbers will continue if restrictions are eased. “Balance” script reappears here. No denying it’s difficult to know when to make the calls around restriction easing. GB makes it clear that they will be adopting a very slow and cautious approach.
Hoping that when we reach 70% double vaccination target that the 1st vaccination level will be around the mid 80s.
Still anticipating the worst weeks in hospitals/ICUs to be in October.
Predictably the debates around ‘freedoms’ for the vaccinated vs the unvaccinated are coming to the fore. GB clearly has no intention of relaxing rules for the unvaccinated. Obviously that’s going to be easier in regulated environments, what people choose to do within their own homes is going to be interesting.
When we get to 70% double vaccinated the case numbers in particular LGAs/communities will be factored in to determine what ‘freedoms’ are available in those areas.
The regular Q on re-opening of State borders pops up. Anticipating NSW and VIC will soon be on a fairly level footing in terms of vaccination rates. Guessing that there’s still some tension between State leaders on this point Lots of “we all have to learn to live with Delta” today. Along with lots of “Doherty Plan” references.
Clear that the biggest fear is overwhelming the health system, but acknowledgement that this is going to be a struggle in October.
James is fixated today on ‘medium’ level restrictions and pushing for a specific case number when this might happen. GB continues to reiterate that there are a multitude of factors that come into the decision making.
Q on exemptions for vaccination. This is being left to GPs as to what they consider is a reasonable exemption.
‘Operation Stay at Home’ and ADF involvement will remain for how long? This will be continued as and where needed.
Completely missed events yesterday but thankfully the planned protests didn’t eventuate.
Journo’s are hearing from positive contacts and close contacts that they are not receiving their release paperwork from NSW Health, and some have had to remain isolated for up to a month even though negative. Acknowledgement that there is a high workload, and yes there have been issues. Asking patients to contact their GPs or Local Health District if they find themselves in that position. I’m fairly sure that most GPs would be uncomfortable with making that call and would prefer that it come via NSW Health.
Reiteration on the enormous amount of planning in place to cater for the expected hospital and ICU requirements.
Continuing questions around ICUs. GB acknowledging that they will be “technically overloaded” but remains confident that the planning in place will cope. Time will tell on this. I think a lot of us are concerned about the toll this is going to take on health care staff.
Clarification that “the case numbers don’t matter” unless you’re unvaccinated, in which case they do matter. They matter very much.
A bit of clickbait fishing around different levels of restrictions creating a ‘divided’ Sydney.
Quite a respectful presser today so that was nice.
As always maintain physical distance, wear your mask, follow the rules, and stay safe out there everyone!
Talking Politics Over Dinner 