NSW Covid-19: NSW records 9 deaths and 961 Covid cases as jab rate passes 60 per cent
NSW is set to reach the crucial 70 per cent double-dose target in less than two weeks with more than 85 per cent of eligible people now having had their first Covid-19 vaccination. Read the latest coronavirus updates
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NSW has recorded nine deaths and 961 new local Covid cases to 8pm on Saturday night, as more than 85 per cent of eligible people have had at least one vaccination dose.
The Berejiklian Government confirmed that more than 60 per cent of the population aged 16 or older in NSW were now double-dosed.
The state is now set to reach the crucial 70 per cent double-dose target in as few as 10 days, which would allow restrictions to ease on October 11.
First-dose rates are at 85.5 per cent. There were 85,578 vaccine doses administered on Saturday.
Nationally, 51.5 per cent of Australians over 16 are fully vaccinated, and 75.8 per cent have received at least one dose.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 58,742.
NSW Health reported nine deaths of people with Covid-19 — six men and three women.
One person was in their 40s, two in their 60s, two in their 70s, and four in their 80s.
Eight people were unvaccinated, and one had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Three people were from southwestern Sydney, four people were from western Sydney, one was from Sydney’s inner west, and one was from Sydney’s inner city.
There have been 297 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 353 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 53,088 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.
Health officials said the Illawarra and Central Coast areas were currently being watched closely due to rising case numbers.
Second Melbourne lockdown protester tests positive
A protester at one of Melbourne’s disruptive anti-lockdown demonstrations last week has tested positive to Covid-19.
Commander Jeroen Weimar said the man, aged in his 30s and from Geelong, said he had been included as part of Friday’s case numbers.
“I’m not sure which day he attended but again … the protests are not immune from Covid,” he said on Sunday.
Mr Weimar said it was unlikely the demonstrator caught the virus at a protest, but was likely infectious when he attended.
“Protests are not immune from those transmission risks and we now have at least two individuals we’re aware of, both of whom tested positive … both of whom were at the protest and that would have been a risk to those around them,” he said.
The man was not in hospital and it was not clear where he contracted the virus.
However he said it was a “good sign” that those two people who did attended the demonstrations got tested.
It comes as the state recorded the death of two men – aged in their 70s and 80s – and 779 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday.
But the state is expected to hit the key vaccination target of 80 per cent of the population receiving a single dose on Tuesday.
PM pushes to open state borders for Christmas
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thrown down the gauntlet to state premiers over ongoing border closures, insisting political leaders owe it to Australians to allow families to reunite at Christmas.
Mr Morrison said he couldn’t see any reason why people should be kept apart by state borders after the 80 per cent national vaccination target was reached.
“It’s important that we do move forward. We can’t stay in second gear. We’ve got to get to top gear in living with the virus … that’s where we need to be,” he told Weekend Sunrise on Sunday.
“My message is to Australians that what I‘d like them to have for Christmas is their lives back.”
Mr Morrison slammed Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and WA’s Mark McGowan for their unwillingness to commit to granting Australians that same wish.
“There comes a time when you’ve got to honour the arrangement you’ve made with the Australian people, and that is when you get to 80 per cent vaccination, it’s very clear that you can start opening up,” the PM said.
“I think that puts the big challenge on the premiers. I mean, they’ve had the power to do what they’ve been doing. They’re not new powers. They’ve always had them.
“But, you know, there comes a time when you just got to move on and get on with it.”
Two dead, 779 new Covid cases in Victoria
Victoria has experienced another surged in Covid-19 cases, recording 779 new locally acquired infections overnight and two deaths.
The total number of active virus cases in the state has now hit 8011, the Department of Health announced on Sunday.
Reported yesterday: 779 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) September 25, 2021
- 34,280 vaccines administered
- 46,322 test results received
- Sadly, 2 people with COVID-19 have died
More later: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/8J2JOHhd7O
However, more than 34,280 vaccines were administered and 46,322 people were tested for the virus.
Around 77 per cent of Victorians have now received one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 47 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Western Australia slammed their borders shut to Victoria on Saturday after the state was placed in the Covid-19 “extreme risk” category from Wednesday.
Victorian health authorities are expected to deliver an update on the latest figures later on Sunday morning.
Originally published as NSW Covid-19: NSW records 9 deaths and 961 Covid cases as jab rate passes 60 per cent
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