NSW Covid updates: 282 new cases, one death

NSW has reached 85 per cent double dose vaccination as details emerge about how you'll know to get a Covid booster shot. Read our blog.

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell, Clare Armstrong and Jade Gailberger

less than 2 min read

October 26, 2021 - 11:15AM

Rollout of booster shots will be ‘much more manageable than the first round’

NSW has recorded 282 new Covid cases while another person has died from the virus.

It comes as 93.1 per cent of the state's population have received one dose of the vaccine, while 85 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Australians would receive a reminder to book in for a booster Covid-19 vaccine due six months after their second jab under a plan being discussed to kickstart the next phase of the rollout.

Authorities are preparing to deliver up to 1.6 million booster shots by the end of the year, with aged care residents, people with a disability and frontline workers first in line based on the timing of their initial vaccinations.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration met on Monday to discuss the final application from Pfizer for its vaccine to be used as a booster, which if approved will then be considered by Australia’s expert immunisation panel.

One option on the table to remind people to book in for a booster is using text messages or emails from either Services Australia, a GP or pharmacy, depending where they received their first shot.

Older Australians may also receive letters in the post to remind them to book in a booster.

Follow live updates below.

Updates

Today's Covid news so far

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

Thanks for tagging along for the latest Covid news this morning. In case you missed it, here's the highlights:

NSW has recorded 282 new Covid cases and one death, a Wollongong man in his 80s who was unvaccinated.
Moderna could join Pfizer in offering jabs for young children, with the company set to present data to the world in coming weeks on vaccinating kids aged five to 11.
Queensland has recorded two new Covid cases as vaccination rates continue to call into question the November 1 and December 17 dates for freedom. The state's jab rates stand at 75.22 first dose and 60.7 per cent second dose.
The ACT has 12 new cases and a double dose vaccination rate of 89.3 per cent
Victoria has 1510 new cases and four deaths, and 75 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated.

NSW's Covid case locations

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

Of today's 282 new cases:

49 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD)
45 are from Murrumbidgee LHD
41 are from South Western Sydney LHD
33 are from Mid North Coast LHD
30 are from Western Sydney LHD
28 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD
12 are from Sydney LHD
Seven are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
Seven are from Western NSW LHD
Six are from Northern NSW LHD
Six are from Southern NSW LHD
Five are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
Three are from Northern Sydney LHD
Two are from Central Coast LHD
One is from Far West LHD
One is in a correctional setting
Six are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

NSW's hospitalisation update

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

There are 457 Covid cases admitted to hospital.

Of these, 109 people are in ICU and 57 are on ventilators.

It comes as there have been 68,180 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021.

The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 73,868.

NSW's latest Covid death

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

A man in his 80s has become NSW's latest Covid fatality.

The man, who was from Wollongong, died at Wollongong Hospital overnight.

He was unvaccinated, according to officials.
There have been 503 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 559 in total since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 503 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 559 in total since the start of the pandemic.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 26, 2021

ACT records 12 new cases

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

The nation's capital has recorded 12 new Covid cases.

Fifteen people are in hospital and nine are in ICU, with five on ventilators.

There are now 296 active cases, and 89.3 per cent of Canberrans are fully vaccinated.

ACT COVID-19 update (26 October 2021):
◾ New cases today: 12
◾ Active cases: 296
◾ Total cases: 1,607
◾ Negative test results (past 24 hours): 1,733
◾ In hospital: 15
◾ In ICU: 9
◾ Ventilated: 5
◾ Total lives lost: 8 pic.twitter.com/Ys0VWigJbn
— ACT Health (@ACTHealth) October 25, 2021

QLD records 2 new cases

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

Queensland has recorded two new Covid cases overnight.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the two new infections in parliament today.

She confirmed QLD's vax rates stood at 75.22 per cent with a first dose, and 60.7 per cent fully vaccinated.

Tuesday 26 October – coronavirus cases in Queensland:

2 new locally acquired cases, detected in Queensland overnight.#covid19 pic.twitter.com/1dzBGz94eq
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) October 25, 2021

Premier thanks police for pandemic efforts

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

The Premier has publicly thanked NSW Police for their efforts during the state's Covid outbreaks.

Attending the commissioning of three new specialist helicopters for the force, Dominic Perrottet thanks officers for putting their "lives on the line" every day despite the pandemic.

"During the pandemic, there's been a substantial focus on obviously the health and the economic impacts of COVID, but the behind the scenes the work of the police force, each and every day has been exceptional in keeping people safe," Mr Perrottet said.

"We want to let you know, on behalf of the government, we very much appreciate everything you do for our state… at a time we've seen difficulties and challenges around the world and sometimes there's not much good news, but the fact that there's been very little bad news during this period of time it's a testament to every single one of you."

Mr Perrottet said he was "proud" NSW was investing $50 million in the new aircraft to boost NSW Police's aviation capacity.

Swim vouchers extended for Kindy kids

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

Kindergarten kids who missed out on swimming lessons due to Covid restrictions will be able to access a $100 voucher under an expanded learn to swim program.

The ‘First Lap’ program will be broadened to cover children in kindergarten this year, or kids who are starting school in 2022.

Previously only preschool children had been eligible.

Kindergarten students will be eligible for cheaper swimming lessons under a new program.

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'Not ok': Anti-vaxxers target cafe

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

A Melbourne cafe has been vandalised with anti-vax graffiti during the first weekend back for seated dining after a gruelling sixth coronavirus lockdown.

Staff at Blacksheep cafe in South Kingsville, in Melbourne inner west, arrived at work on Monday morning to find the anti-vax message scrawled on the front wall of the building in bright orange letters.

The graffiti read “discrimination is not OK” in an apparent dig at the cafe enforcing mandatory government Covid rules that stop unvaccinated customers from dining in cafes and restaurants.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVbGj3gB0YU

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Surprising group joins the search for Cleo Smith

Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

A group of bounty hunters have joined the search for Cleo Smith in the hope of securing the $1 million reward for information that brings the missing four-year-old home.

Cleo was last seen by her family 10 days ago when they were staying at the remote Blowholes Campground in Macleod, Western Australia, at about 1.30am local time when she asked for water.

After a frantic and extensive search of the water and rugged terrain around the campsite, police now believe Cleo was likely abducted while her mother Ellie Smith, stepfather Jake Gliddon and younger sister Isla were asleep.

For more on this story, click here.