Covid NSW updates: state records new high of 1533 cases, 4 more deaths
As NSW hit another record day with 1533 new Covid cases and four deaths, more than 1000 are now being treated in hospital for the deadly virus. Meanwhile, the TGA has granted provisional approval for the use of the Moderna vaccine in 12-17 year-olds.
NSW Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
This coronavirus article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. Click here to subscribe for full digital access to every story.
NSW has recorded 1533 new Covid cases and four new deaths as the state continues to battle its most dangerous phase of the pandemic.
While there are almost 11,000 people with Covid being cared for by NSW Health across the state, 1041 of them are in hospital — with 173 in the ICU and 62 on ventilators.
Of the deaths, a man in his 60s from western Sydney died at home; a woman in her 80s from south west Sydney died at Fairfield Hospital; a man in his 50s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital; and a man in his 70s from south west Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said “sadly” the four people were not vaccinated.
Mr Hazzard said 72 per cent of over 16 year-olds have now had their first dose, and 39 per cent have had two doses.
Of the 173 people currently in ICU, 137 are not vaccinated.
There were 38 new cases in western NSW, with 759 total cases in the local health district — 22 of those were in Dubbo and nine in Bourke and nine new cases in Wilcannia.
Mr Hazzard said the health system is stressed but is holding up as hospitalisations increase.
A NSW Health spokeswoman said despite some reports, no Covid patients were receiving oxygen at home.
Modelling will be released on Monday detailing how cases are predicted to peak in the next two weeks, leading to a surge of hospital admission in October.
Lifeline chairman John Brogden warned of the “shadow pandemic”, saying more and more people are reaching out for mental health support with an 11 per cent increase from last year.
“It’s not in the shadows, it’s real and it is a crisis,” Mr Brogden said.
“What we have seen is a significant increase among children and adolescents in their mental illness, their suicidality and in stress, depression and anxiety – that is of massive concern.”
Mr Brogden said making sure to get out of bed in the morning, change clothes and walk around the block will make the world of difference in improving mental wellbeing.
“I have depression I have suicidal ideation, I know what it’s like to live with mental illness and I know what it’s like to live with mental illness during Covid — it’s tough and people are doing it tough,” he said.
“Please look after yourself, please be kind to yourself, and the other important message is don’t suffer in silence.”
Moderna vaccine for kids
Meanwhile, children will soon be able to receive the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granting provisional approval for its use in 12-17 year-olds.
The decision follows the provisional approval granted by the TGA on August 9 for the use of the vaccine in Australians aged 18 years and over, and is set to further boost national vaccination rates with plans for the jabs to be made available in pharmacies.
It is understood the idea will be for an entire family to turn up to all receive their vaccinations at the same time.
The recommended dose and dose interval for children will be the same as that for the adult population - two full doses given 28 days apart.
The provisional approval for the use of Moderna in children followed “careful evaluation of the available data supporting safety and efficacy”, a TGA statement said.
The vaccine had also received regulatory approval or authorisation in this age group in several jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union and Switzerland,” it said.
“The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine has shown strong efficacy preventing symptomatic Covid-19 and severe Covid-19 in clinical trials,” the statement said.
“The decision to provisionally approve the vaccine for use in this age group was informed by expert advice from the Advisory Committee on Vaccines (ACV), an independent committee with expertise in scientific, medical and clinical fields including consumer representation.
“The TGA will continue to actively monitor the safety of Spikevax and will not hesitate to take action if safety concerns are identified.”
The federal government has secured 25 million doses of Moderna - or Spikevax - as it moves to diversify vaccines available to Australians, including potential access to booster or variant vaccines should this be required in the future.
The agreement includes the supply of 10 million doses in 2021 and of 15 million doses of Moderna’s updated variant booster vaccine in 2022.
Covid scare at Sydney school
A high school in Sydney’s west has been forced to temporarily close after a member of the school community tested positive to Covid-19.
Cambridge Park High School closed its doors to undergo deep cleaning and will reopen on Monday, September 6 for students who are unable to learn from home.
A NSW Education spokesman said students and staff classed as close contacts have been notified and asked to self-isolate in accordance with NSW Health advice and protocols.
Sydney to re-open to world by itself
International travel restrictions will be lifted in NSW when 80 per cent of the state is vaccinated even if other states remain closed.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed he would authorise states to go-it-alone in reopening to the world when 80 per cent of the population aged over 16 is fully vaccinated.
NSW is currently leading Australia’s vaccination race with 71.5 per cent having received their first dose and 39.5 per cent fully immunised.
A continuation of the current pace would open international travel before the end of the year, which would allow NSW residents to fly to Europe ahead of visits to family in locked down, slowly vaccinating states.
According to the national recovery plan, there would be no cap on returning Australians and the restrictions on outbound travel would end at the 80 per cent mark.
“The National Plan sets that out very clearly,” Mr Morrison said as he confirmed states would be able to open in isolation.
“The national plan was agreed by all states and territories. It’s a plan that is actually going to see Australia open up again and move forward again.”
It came amid deepening division between state leaders, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s hard line border approach drawing condemnation from senior members of her own party.
Ms Palaszczuk has received bitter backlash after she withdrew her support for the national reopening plan, declaring that opening Queensland’s borders would be too risky for unvaccinated children.
This was despite the fact not a single country has approved vaccinations to children under 12.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles slammed Ms Palaszczuk’s rogue health advice.
“I would be distancing myself from the comments of Annastacia is the honest answer,” Mr Marles said when asked about his reaction to her split from the national plan.
“We need to be following the health advice when it comes to the impact and who we should be vaccinating when.
“I don’t want to see Australia in one extra day of lockdown than it needs to be.”
Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.au
Join the conversation
Covid cases surge in NSW as 2023 death toll revealed
Covid cases are on the rise in NSW, and the true toll of the virus this year has been revealed, with almost 4000 Australians dying from the virus in 2023.
Read more
Revealed: The Aussie age group still dying from Covid
Twenty-three Australians are dying every day from Covid-19 - but one age group continues to dominate the numbers. Find out who is most at risk.
Read more