Covid-19 Australia: NSW, Victoria, Queensland record 60 Covid deaths amid major travel changes
Victoria, NSW and Qld have recorded another wave of Covid deaths, as Australia loosens international travel restrictions.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Queensland has recorded 15,050 new Covid infections and 10 deaths as the state opens to international visitors for the first time in two years.
There were 884 people in hospital due to Covid and 52 in intensive care.
It comes after the state recorded 16,031 new Covid infections and 13 deaths on Friday.
The numbers come as the Sunshine State lifted its borders overnight to welcome overseas visitors directly for the first time since the pandemic slammed the borders shut two years ago.
From 1am on Saturday, fully vaccinated overseas arrivals have been able to land in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, and the Gold Coast without the need to quarantine, following in the footsteps of NSW and Victoria in November.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the move this week as the state edges closer to the 90 per cent double vaccination trigger.
The double vaccination rate was at 89 per cent on Saturday, Queensland Health said.
NSW RECORDS ANOTHER 30 DEATHS
New South Wales has recorded 20,148 new cases and 30 Covid deaths in the past 24 hours.
There are now 2762 infected people in hospitals across the state, with 204 in intensive care.
Almost 94 per cent of eligible population are fully vaccinated.
Of the 8566 positive RAT results, 7687 of these positive tests were from the previous seven days.
It comes after retailers caught inflating the prices of Covid-19 rapid antigen tests risk substantial fines or prison time as the nationwide shortage of the kits continues.
The Australian Federal Police has begun investigating RAT price gouging, warning individuals and businesses they could face up to 5 years’ imprisonment or a $66,000 financial penalty.
The AFP announced the probe on Friday morning, saying it had the power to investigate when a retailer or individual buys RATs from another retailer and resells them with a mark-up of more than 20 per cent.
“For example, if a tobacconist buys RATs from a chemist and then sells those RATs for more than 20 per cent of what they were purchased for, that tobacconist faces criminal charges under the law,” the AFP said in a statement.
It does not apply to retailers who buy from a wholesaler.
AFP crime command Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said there would be “zero tolerance” for those who were profiteering from RATs.
“The AFP will use its full powers to crack down on RAT price gouging,” he said.
“Not only is price gouging of RATs unethical but it is illegal, and the AFP will use its significant resources to ensure it protects the public from the unlawful greed of others.”
VICTORIA: 16,016 CASES
Victoria has recorded 16,016 new cases and 20 Covid deaths in the past 24 hours.
There are now 1029 infected people in Victorian hospitals, with 120 in intensive care and 39 on ventilators.
More than 93 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated and the state has a mammoth 217,505 active cases.
A total of 39,179 PCR tests were taken on Friday and 27,051 vaccines were administered at state hubs.
It comes after Victorian authorities held back on making a call on mandating Covid booster shots despite predictions mandates are not far away.
While there is no word yet on mandates for industries outside of healthcare and other critical sectors, Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas on Friday said the state was moving “increasingly” to a three-jab regime.
Authorities are waiting for advice on the issue before the state’s health minister makes a decision.
“We are looking at how the third regime will be applied, it is a regime that should be treated much the same as the second dose was,” Mr Pallas said.
“Our expectation is that people would do it – they should do it for their health and their community, and we’re not ruling out the need for a mandate moving forward.”
AUSTRALIA SUFFERS DEADLIEST COVID DAY
Australia recorded its deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic with 80 fatalities on Friday as the death toll continues to increase amid the Omicron surge.
The grim milestone comes as Australia scraps rules for international arrivals needing negative PCR test 72 hours before boarding a flight.
The latest death toll, beating the previous record of 78 deaths set on Tuesday, was driven by New South Wales with a record 46 deaths.
The latest figures have pushed the country’s total deaths during the Covid pandemic close to 3,000 just as Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the major travel changes in a joint statement with Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews on Friday night.
From 1am on Sunday, people who test positive overseas will have their wait time to be cleared for entry halved.
Overseas travellers will instead be able to show a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) result within 24 hours of their flight departure time.
Previously they had to take a PCR test and return a negative result within 72 hours of getting on the plane.
“While PCR tests remain the gold standard test, a RAT within 24 hours is an acceptable indicator of whether a traveller has Covid-19 before flying to Australia,” the joint statement said.
“This is consistent with moves within Australia to accept RATs for diagnostic purposes.”
In another significant change, people who have tested positive overseas and want to come to Australia will have their wait time to be cleared for entry slashed from 14 days to seven.
“The time between receiving a positive test result and being able to be cleared for travel to Australia will be reduced from 14 to seven days,” the statement read.
“This will reduce wait times for travellers who contract Covid-19 overseas to return to Australia in line with the new domestic isolation requirements.”
Mr Hunt said the pre-departure testing requirement would continue to be reviewed regularly.
“Travellers to Australia must still wear a mask during their flight and follow the directions of state and territory governments regarding quarantine and on-arrival testing,” he said.
The statement said the changes were introduced to provide more flexibility for international arrivals.
MYSTERY CASES FOR WA
Western Australia has recorded seven new local cases of Covid on Friday, as the state extended its hard border closure.
Four of the new infections are not linked to any known cases and are under investigation by contact tracers.
Three of the cases are known contacts of previously reported cases and were potentially infectious in the community.
Premier Mark McGowan announced on Thursday the state would delay its planned border reopening indefinitely amid ongoing Omicron outbreaks elsewhere in the country.
It comes as the decision to delay Western Australia’s border reopening has led to speculation of the state government again being challenged in court - but a leading constitutional expert says it’s too early to tell if such a bid would be successful.
The border backflip has renewed questions about the constitutional validity of the Premier’s hard line measures.
Controversial mining magnate and United Australia Party Senate hopeful Clive Palmer last year unsuccessfully challenged the constitutional validity of the WA border closure in the High Court.
The court found essentially that as long as it was proportionate to the health threat, the states had the powers to shut their borders.
Constitutional Law Professor Anne Twomey said the court had upheld the constitutional validity of WA’s border legislation, meaning a future legal dispute would rely on challenging particular emergency orders.
“The court would look at whether or not the order or that direction falls in the scope of the legislation,” Professor Twomey told NCA NewsWire.
“The High Court found in the Palmer case that the legislation that supports the border closure is valid. And that hasn’t changed.
“Where the controversy lies is the orders and directions that are made under the legislation.”
Professor Twomey said people might consider challenging the WA government now that the border was again closed indefinitely, but it was “impossible to predict” if such a legal bid would be successful.
“Certainly on the facts they are now, it would be unlikely to succeed but that would depend on that facts when the challenge is heard,” she said.
Before the Covid vaccine, it was clear the best defence was to restrict movement.
Professor Twomey said she thought the High Court would still hold that view in WA’s case, because the state had a relatively low booster vaccine uptake and was yet to experience an Omicron outbreak like the other states.
“If, however, Omicron did get into WA and was spreading throughout, then it would be much harder to justify keeping the borders shut,” she said.
BABY BECOMES AUSTRALIA’S YOUNGEST COVID VICTIM
An eight-week old baby has died with coronavirus in regional NSW in what is believed to be Australia’s youngest Covid-related fatality.
The infant died in a local hospital in the Hunter Region in December, with the death confirmed by authorities on Friday.
NSW Health chief health officer Kerry Chant said the death had been referred to the Coroner for investigation and the findings would eventually be publicly released.
“The Coroner and forensic pathologists are working very hard to get the answers that most importantly, the family wants and the clinicians want in terms of this child and the contribution that Covid may or may not have made to its death,” she told reporters.
She said there was strong public interest in the baby’s death and NSW Health was committed to making known the outcome of the coronial investigation.
“But our priority will be that the coroner will inform the family, the family will have the time to talk to the clinicians about the implications of the findings and then we will release it publicly given the significant interest in this case,” she said.
Dr Chant expressed her condolences to the baby’s family members for their loss and asked the media to respect their privacy.
“I have spoken with the family and the family are very keen for their privacy to be protected,” she said.
“As you can imagine that this is one of the most difficult times a family could ever go through.”
A spokeswoman for the Hunter New England Local Health District said it was in contact with and supporting the family.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further while the Coroner investigates this tragic death,” she said.
QLD: 16,031 NEW CASES, 13 DEATHS
Queensland has recorded 16,031 new Covid infections and 13 deaths.
Of the new deaths two were unvaccinated, one had received one vaccine, two doses and just one had a booster shot.
All of those who died were older than 60.
A total of 37,121 tests were reported for Friday’s cases with more than 489 Rapid Antigen Tests submitted.
Meanwhile, at least 91 per cent of Queenslanders have had their first dose while 89 per cent of people are double vaccinated, just shy of the 90 per cent target.
Near 62 per cent of the eligible Queenslanders have received a booster shot.
More than 855 people are in hospital due to Covid.
Fridays update revealed there were more than 855 hospitalisations.
The Gold Coast is expected to feel the peak of Omicron before other regions in the state as more than 70 per cent of tests come back positive in the region.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath earlier blasted the public for the misuse of triple-0.
“Do not call Triple-Zero just to find out where you can get a test or just to get transported to a vaccination or testing centre,” she said.
“The paramedics are not carrying the tests.”
People are urged not to call an ambulance if their Covid-19 symptoms are mild.
Friday’s figures come as the state prepares to scrap quarantine and welcome international visitors for the first time in two years with borders set to lift Friday night.
TASMANIA: FIRST DEATH LINKED TO COVID SINCE 2020
An unvaccinated elderly woman with Covid has passed away in Hobart, Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed on Friday, as he announced 866 new cases.
The 90-year-old woman, a resident at New Town’s Barrington Lodge Nursing Home, passed away on Thursday, The Mercury reports.
Mr Gutwein said Covid had not been recorded as the cause of death on her death certificate, but the infection could not be ruled out as a contributing factor.
It is unknown how the woman contracted Covid.
“These unfortunate circumstances are a reminder that Covid is around,” he said.
Mr Gutwein said the woman was unvaccinated, reminding other Tasmanians to ignore “the messages that are on social media”.
It’s the first Covid-related death in Tasmania in more than a year.
MCGOWAN BLASTED OVER DELAYED REOPENING
Western Australia’s border reopening has been delayed in response to the Omicron outbreak that is wreaking havoc across the rest of the country.
The state had previously flagged plans to open its border on February 5 to doubled-vaccinated interstate and overseas travellers.
Instead, the border will only reopen to approved travellers on that date – with exemptions granted to people on compassionate grounds, those requiring medical treatment, and returning Western Australians.
Those with specialist skills and others facing extraordinary circumstances will also be granted an exemption to enter the state.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the state is not taking any chances – arguing the highly infectious variant poses a significant risk to the community.
“I know this decision will be unpopular with many people … for that I am sorry. I understand exactly what this means for many people who were hoping to reunite without any restrictions,” Mr McGowan said.
“It would be reckless and irresponsible to open up now – I can’t do it.”
However Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said “many Western Australians will be asking if not now then when?”.
“The Omicron variant is a new phase in the pandemic, a pandemic that is nearly two years long and there are changes in the way that we respond and obviously the number of cases is increased with transmissibility but it’s also less severe,” Mr Frydenberg said on Sunrise on Friday.
“So of course we want to see Australia united, will continue to support the Western Australia economy and the Western Australia economy and the Western Australia people, but we do understand the need to live with the virus in a Covid-19 safe way.”
Defence Minister Peter Dutton said there will be a lot of disappointed West Australians.
“I think the most important voice is that of Western Australians, and there will be lots of them who will be disappointed because they have been separated from their families for a long period of time. Their voices I think will be heard today, and Mr McGowan will have to explain to them the reasons for his decision, and I understand that great sense of disappointment,” Mr Dutton told Sunrise.
#McGowan was trending on Twitter on Friday.
“Heart broken. I may now miss my sister’s wedding. Triple vaxxed. Negative PCR. We’ve done everything you asked Mark McGowan,” LA-based 9 News reporter Jerrie Demasi tweeted.
Another posted: “can’t believe what @MarkMcGowanMP is doing in WA. It is WRONG and the closest thing I have ever seen to a dictatorship in Australia. He must be held to account.”
In addition to being triple vaccinated if eligible, approved travellers will be required to undertake 14 days of home quarantine and return a negative rapid antigen test 24 hours to departure.
They will also be required to take a PCR test within 48 hours on arrival and on day 12 of self-quarantine.
Mr McGowan said WA will review the border settings on Feb 5, but says the government ideally wants to pause the state’s reopening until it reaches 80-90 per cent triple vaccination against Covid.
He predicted the state will be only 35-38 per cent triple vaccinated on that date.
“We know the third dose of the vaccine gives us the best protection,” Mr McGowan said.
“Even doubled dosed vaccinated people aren’t strongly protected against Omicron, Omicron is a whole new threat we can’t ignore.”
The Premier argued the original reopening plans were made before the highly infectious Omicron variant arrived and spread rapidly across the Eastern part of the country.
WA will continue to monitor the Omicron outbreak in other parts of the country, McGowan said, before the state commits to a border reopening date.
“What we are going to do is review the situation over February … and what’s happening over East.”
He dismissed suggestions the delay was due to pressures on the health system, which is reportedly already under strain despite the state’s zero Covid strategy.
When asked why WA’s health advice differed from other Australian jurisdictions, Chief Health Officer Andy Robert said the state was an outlier compared to the Covid-ravaged parts of the country.
“We are in a vastly different position than those states, they are now dealing with a disease which is way more transmissible than they planned for even with 80-90 per cent protection (against coronavirus).”
State’s big move on cutting-edge vaccines
One Aussie state has revealed its next move on a major vaccine development project – which promises to change the way it responds to future health challenges.
Read more
$1.1m plan to overhaul Long Covid, chronic fatigue care
Guidelines to treat the 750,000-plus Australians who have Long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome are more than two decades old. See the plan to fix them.
Read more