Missed the last few days due to the ongoing emergency fence repairs, sorry!
Gladys Berejiklian, Dr Chant, Loretta Anderson (think from South Western Sydney Health District?) today.
Today’s key numbers/areas
1,043 new locally acquired cases + 1 O/S acquired cases. 😢 11 more deaths.
131,668 tests.
1,186 in hospital, 232 in ICU, 110 ventilated.
333 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
🎯Vaccination rates today are at 84.1% for 1st vaccinations, 56.6% for fully vaccinated.
Sewage detections in Lighting Ridge, Jindabyne, Crookwell & South Lismore. Jindabyne particularly concerning as detections are high level.
A number of transmissions in children in Cowra so be vigilant there.
Regional cases – Illawarra a particular issue with 103 new cases (Wollongong & Shellharbour LGAs particularly).
Today’s Messaging/updates/Q&A
“Almost a gallop to the finish line” for double vaccination target.
Many who have had COVID will take a long time to recover. It would be interesting to know the stats for Long COVID diagnoses.
Reminder that action is required by all of us, physical distancing, masks, hand sanitisation, following the rules etc.
Lots of LGAs have reached first vaccination targets, some have reached double vaccination targets. Are only a handful of LGAs that haven’t already met first dose target.
The usual encouragement to everyone to get vaccinated.
Today’s presser held outside Macquarie Fields vaccination centre, first Q is where are the queues for vaccinations? As they pan out later it would appear that there is literally no-one there lining up.
Regional MPs are concerned that their areas are “sitting ducks” if travel is opened up across NSW. Well, they aren’t alone in that, those of us living in these areas are also concerned about this.
Those on the NDIS are reported to be lagging quite some way behind the rest of us on vaccination targets. GB makes a point of the fact that responsibility for this sector is Commonwealth. But also adds that NSW have targeted (or are targeting?) this sector.
Challenging question will be what the un-vaccinated will be allowed to do once the double vaccination target is reached. Pretty much nothing at 70% and still looking at what they might be allowed at 80%.
Anticipating it will be a fortnight between the single vaccination and double vaccination targets being reached.
Community sport is being considered at the moment, as is travel. I wouldn’t be expecting any answers around these until the last minute.
Q on whether rules for the fully vaccinated will change if they are a close or casual contact. TTIQ (Track, Tracing, Isolating, Quarantine) at 80% is being looked at now and how that might change. Reinforcing that anyone COVID positive will need to isolate at home until they are no longer infectious. Think we’re all happy that that won’t be changing!
There is “no doubt” that case numbers will “go through the roof” when the State re-opens. Obviously crossing their fingers that double vaccination rates will be sufficient though to keep people out of hospitals and ICUs.
Q on impacts for universities and when they might be able to open up to international students. Clearly will be partly dependent on whether those potential students have had Australian approved vaccines.
Are really hoping that the first vaccination rate will reach 90%+ quite soon.
Clear that everyone will have to be cautious and make decisions about what they choose to do for a very, very long time to come.
Lots on returning travellers and when those stranded overseas will be able to come home. I’m sincerely hoping that airlines don’t take the opportunity to raise ticket prices.
Healthcare workers deadline is next Thursday. KC doesn’t have any data on how many exemptions have been granted.
Reports in some areas that over 60’s are still waiting for Pfizer to become available. KC stressing that the best vaccination is the one that you can get now. It’s not surprising though that some feel this way given the terrible messaging of a few months ago.
Supply issues are brought up once more. Gather that Hazzard alluded to this yesterday.
Good Q on whether it will be safe to open up at 70% when there will still be low rates in some sectors of the community, particularly the more vulnerable.
I do wish they would abandon these outdoor pressers. Audio is bad enough even when indoors. Adding traffic noise is just not helpful.
Schools ventilation is a key component. Q on whether air purifiers are good enough. I would imagine that there are a number of parents concerned around this.
Schools must be a particularly touchy subject as that brought proceedings to a very abrupt close.
Finished with another pan out of the area behind them, literally only 3 people walking in.
Talking Politics Over Dinner 