AMA slams NSW authorities for putting health advice ‘second’ as restrictions ease
The Australian Medical Association has hit out at NSW, accusing authorities of putting health advice in “second place” as restrictions ease.
The Australian Medical Association has hit out at NSW, accusing authorities of putting health advice in “second place” as restrictions ease.
The AMA’s vice president, Chris Moy, told ABC Radio Adelaide that while efforts to reduce case numbers in NSW had proven successful thus far, the speed with which the state was reopening needed to be questioned.
“While you look at their vaccination efforts in NSW and the great effect that that’s had, that’s still in the context of lockdowns,” Dr Moy said.
“They’ve got this freedom day, we don’t know what effect that’s going to have.
“We’ve actually got quite serious concerns about the management in NSW given the fact that they’ve really relegated their health advice to second place now.”
State’s border on track to open by Christmas
Tasmania’s border is on track to open by Christmas, Premier Peter Gutwein has said.
“My expectation is that those who want to travel to Tasmania will need to be fully vaccinated and provide a negative test in the 72 hours before they arrive,” Mr Gutwein said, adding that a testing regime upon arrival is also being considered.
“What we know is that when we do open our borders to those larger states, the virus will eventually end up in Tasmania.”
Residents in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia will be offered $300 vouchers to encourage them to visit the Apple Isle in November and December, as part of a $13 million Commonwealth assistance package announced last month.
How NSW dodged a Covid bullet
Lower case numbers and high jab rates have been vital to NSW’s lockdown exit, one of Australia’s leading Covid experts has revealed, and will safeguard the state in the months to come as life returns to normal.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Deakin University chair in epidemiology, Catherine Bennett, said population level protection from vaccination coverage had hit its “peak” in the lead-up to the easing of restrictions yesterday.
“A whole series of things have changed in recent times, the most important one is the vaccination rates that set the opening date,” Professor Bennett said.
“More than 50 per cent of recipients have had their vaccination within the last six weeks so people are still at their peak protection.”
The combination of lower infection rates and high vaccination coverage could see the state follow a transition period more like Denmark’s than the UK’s.
“The UK was on a case rise when they opened and it continued to expand the wave. Whereas in Denmark, they were on the way down,” Prof Bennett explained.
“They reached a point where they could cope with case numbers because they had lower hospitalisations and they eased restrictions like what Sydney is doing.
“That’s what you’re looking for easing into that next stage which is managing the virus without being in lockdown.”
Booster shot decision just weeks away
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is expected to finalise its advice on booster shots by the end of the month, as the nation readies to vaccinate children.
“I’m very hopeful we will have advice and fully expect that we will have advice before the end of October,” Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters of the additional vaccine doses.
As for getting the jab to Australia’s five to 12-year-olds, Mr Hunt said enough doses to vaccinate them had been secured – though they’ll have to clear two hurdles before they can be administered.
Pfizer is expected to make a submission for its vaccine to be used in younger children – after which the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will give safety and efficacy approval and ATAGI will make recommendations about its use.
“Our approach has always been that we see this as a double green light,” Mr Hunt said.
Huge change coming to Bunnings stores
In a dream come true for many Aussies, Queenslanders can grab a Bunnings sausage while also getting their Covid-19 vaccination, as the hardware giant rolls out pop-up clinics in over 20 stores.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the news on Twitter, declaring: “Pop-up vaccination clinics are coming to Bunnings. From this Saturday, you can get a Bunnings sausage and vaccine dose at several sites across Queensland.”
BREAKING: Pop-up vaccination clinics are coming to Bunnings. From this Saturday, you can get a Bunnings sausage and vaccine dose at several sites across Queensland 💪 #GetVaccinatedpic.twitter.com/NfaZ6nXDxO
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) October 11, 2021
Participating stores include the Brisbane suburbs of Browns Plains, Morayfield, Brendale, Bethania, Mt Gravatt, North Lakes, Stafford and Maryborough.
Regional areas will get their snag and jab with pop-up clinics in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Dalby, Smithfield in Cairns, Fairfield Waters in Toowoomba, Townsville, Townsville North, Mackay North, Paget in Mackay, Airlie Beach and Kingaroy.
Other stores involved include Gladstone, Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gympie.
– Sarah Sharples
More travel allowed between ACT and NSW
From Friday, when the ACT’s lockdown ends, the exemption border postcodes will also be expanded to “allow travel from a large area of immediately surrounding NSW”, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.
Details on the expanded postcodes will be available on the ACT’s Covid website soon, he said.
Expanded cross border travel arrangements with NSW that come into effect on Friday 15 October. pic.twitter.com/3viINYFcWZ
— Andrew Barr MLA (@ABarrMLA) October 12, 2021
“NSW residents in these regions, as well as the border postcodes that are already covered by the existing expanding exemption, will be permitted to travel to and from the ACT to undertake work or study to access schools or essential shopping and healthcare without needing to apply for an exemption,” the Chief Minister explained.
“Residents in these postcodes can also enter the ACT to visit family and friends under the existing ACT gathering limits whether inside the household our outside.”
ACT lockdown to end on Thursday
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has confirmed that after more than 60 days, the ACT’s lockdown will come to an end this Thursday at 11.59pm.
“The ACT cabinet met yesterday with the chief health officer to confirm the end of the ACT lockdown from this Thursday at 11.59pm,” Mr Barr told reporters, explaining that rather than a “freedom day”, restrictions will be eased over the coming weeks.
“72 per cent of our eligible population are now vaccinated. Our first dose levels indicate that this will reach close to 99 per cent fully vaccinated towards the end of November. Our growing vaccination coverage will provide better protection for our community in the weeks and months ahead as the virus increases its spread throughout the community.
“Case numbers are expected to increase as restrictions are eased. But being fully vaccinated provides you with protection. It may not prevent you from getting the virus, but it does reduce the likelihood and being fully vaccinated provides very effective protection against severe disease.”
From Friday, these are the changes to restrictions that will occur in the ACT:
- Gathering limits will increase to 25 people outside
- Five people will be permitted to visit another household
- Licensed venues will be permitted to have five customers across the venue with one per four square metres, whichever is lesser
- 50 patrons can utilise outdoor spaces at a time (or one person per four square metres, whichever is lesser)
- Hairdressers and personal care services can reopen with up to five clients at one time
- Outdoor sporting team training can resume with up to 25 people at a time
- Swimming pools will reopen with 25 swimmers across the venue and only two swimmers allowed per lane
Non-essential retail will continue to operate “predominantly” under click-and-collect and delivery services until October 29.
But, from this Friday, “these businesses can have up to two people from the same household into a retail store at any one time for booked appointments”, Mr Barr explained.
“This is to allow activities like cars to be test driven and clothes and shows to be tried on for buyers to purchase,” he added.
“I encourage ACT businesses to visit the business hub on the Covid-19 website. There are a range of resources there to help you prepare up update with Covid-19 safety plans.”
Evidence of NSW’s vaccine miracle
NSW has seen a massive drop in its daily Covid cases just one day after Sydney opened up — as the state’s vaccine success story continues.
There were just 360 new cases detected in today’s figures — down from 498 yesterday and down from a peak of more than 1500 in September. Sadly five people have died in today’s figures.
Epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman successfully predicted that cases had peaked in September and said the decline in cases was down to the state’s vaccination rollout.
“I believe what we’re seeing is the vaccinations kicking in because nothing else has really changed,” he said.
Some 90.4 per cent of people aged 16+ in NSW have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, 74 per cent of people have had two.
Prof Esterman said the state’s five-day moving average for cases is down to 492, and the reproductive rate of the virus is down to 0.80.
However, he said the state could see the impact of relaxations of restrictions by the weekend.
New freedoms in sight after vax surge
Leaked figures from NSW show a massive surge in the number of vaccinations — meaning it is now very likely that the state will hit its 80 per cent target by the weekend, with more rules to ease on Monday.
A Channel 9 reporter shared the figures that show 75.23 per cent of adults in the state are now fully vaccinated and 90.77 per cent have had one dose.
The figures show an impressive 1.26 per cent daily increase in jabs, meaning it is now very likely the state will hit 80 per cent over the weekend — a critical milestone that would will allow crowds back in stadiums and nightclubs across the state.
Early leak.
— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) October 11, 2021
NSW 16+ Vax Rates
75.23% fully vaccinated. 💉 💉
90.77% One dose 💉
Strong 1.26% daily increase. Every chance 80% will happen this weekend, meaning rules will change Monday 18th October. @9NewsAUS
The timing is significant because Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was unlikely to move the goalposts for reopening when the 80 per cent fully-vaccinated milestone is reached — which means that if NSW doesn’t hit the milestone by Monday, residents could be waiting another two weeks for restrictions to ease.
If the target is met on Monday October 18 or later, road map rules stipulate more changes can’t take place until the following Monday, which is October 25.
From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent double-dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 20 people visit their home and participate in community sport.
Overseas healthcare workers being flown into Victoria
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley has announced that up to 1000 healthcare workers currently living overseas will be flown into the state “to help to ease the pressure on our hardworking hospital-facing staff dealing with Covid”.
“This group will largely be made up of returning Australians who have wanted to come back to our healthcare workforce,” Mr Foley told reporters.
“Equally, a number of international recruits. These professional groups were covered nurses, doctors, midwives and a range of allied health professionals, and they will be recruited on the basis of the services and support that our hospital system needs.”
Mr Foley warned that as vaccine uptake continues and “Victorians get back to the things they really want to do, in a safe way, we will be placing immense pressure on our healthcare workforce as they continue to care for record numbers of patients in our hospitals and in our ambulance services”.
He also announced a new “record” investment to support Covid-facing hospital staff.
“We will be introducing the new hospital surge support allowance which will be paid to patient-facing healthcare workers providing direct care in both our public hospital services and Ambulance Victoria over the next four months,” Mr Foley said.
“Starting this week, the allowance will help ensure that these highly skilled staff in our public hospitals respond to the critical care that we know they will deliver, but making sure that staff in our emergency departments is at least supported and recognised by this unprecedented investment.”
ACT reports 28 new cases
There have been 28 new cases of locally acquired Covid-19 in the ACT.
At least 16 of those cases were infectious for some time in the community, while nine have been in quarantine for their entire infectious period.
Of the new cases, 22 are linked to other known cases or clusters, and 14 of these are household contacts.
ACT COVID-19 update (12 October 2021):
— ACT Health (@ACTHealth) October 12, 2021
â—¾ New cases today: 28
â—¾ Active cases: 450
â—¾ Total recovered cases: 806
â—¾ Total cases: 1,262
â—¾ Negative test results (past 24 hours): 1,712
â—¾ In hospital: 19
â—¾ Lives lost: 6 pic.twitter.com/uHZbAWpuBr
There are currently 19 patients in the ACT being treated in hospital with the virus, eight of whom are in the ICU and six who require ventilation.
The new cases bring the Territory’s total number of cases this outbreak to 1262.
‘Massive turnaround’: Dan optimistic on case numbers
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he hopes the state’s Covid situation is beginning to improve as some of the hardest-hit areas are seeing massive surges in vaccinations.
“We’ve seen those areas of greatest concern, have a very significant – in fact, a massive turnaround when you think about it. I think Wyndham is at about 90 per cent. It was lower than that just a short time ago, so that is really good news,” he said.
It's too soon to be a trend, but for the first time since August, our seven day average of cases has come down.
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 12, 2021
And even better - our seven day average for vaccinations has never been higher.
We're almost there Victoria - we just have to keep going.
“The same has been reflected across the north, west, and increasingly in the southwest so I would encourage all Victorians to continue their efforts to get vaccinated, to complete that task because it is our way out of this, that is our focus.
“While that trend is positive, we can’t get carried away to think that the danger that the cases present to our health system and to individuals and families somehow over.”
‘2022’: Dismal prediction for Queensland
Queensland’s road map out of Covid-19 is unlikely to kick in until 2022 because of patchy vaccination rates across the state’s regions — where jabs are going into arms at a glacial speed — and an ambitious target from the state government.
The state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has signalled that even if Queensland hits the 80 per cent statewide vaccinated milestone — it may not be enough to open up.
Instead she wants to see an “even spread” of Covid-19 protection across the state.
And according to numbers crunched by the Courier Mail, certain areas are unlikely to hit these jab targets until 2022.
The figures show that by mid-November about 73 per cent of the state, on average, would be fully vaccinated. The state is expected to hit 80 per cent by November’s end.
But patchy take-up of the jab means certain regions may not hit the heralded 80 per cent fully vaccinated mark until early 2022 – months after areas like Brisbane and Noosa.
Unlike other states, the Queensland government still hasn’t revealed a thorough reopening plan.
However, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the “mission” was for people to get jabbed in the “next five to six weeks” — which hits on November 15 and 22 — in order to “allow us to open up”.
360 new cases in NSW, five deaths
The case numbers are coming down in NSW too.
There were just 360 new cases detected in today’s figures. Sadly five people have died.
Some 90.4% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, 74% of people have had two.
There were 88,988 tests done yesterday.
Victoria records 1466 new cases, eight deaths
Victoria has seen another decrease in the number of new daily cases, after the state recorded more than 1600 cases yesterday.
Today, the state has recorded 1466 new cases and eight deaths.
There were 36,383 vaccines administered and 68,509 test results received in the state.
NSW closing in on crucial freedom milestone
The pubs have only just reopened and Sydneysiders are still getting used to their new-found freedom, but the next wave of reopening could happen as soon as next week.
Vaccinations rates in NSW are showing no signs of slowing, meaning the state is already on the verge of another critical milestone that would will allow crowds back in stadiums and nightclubs across the state.
More than 80 per cent of the population — the next threshold for easing restrictions — could be fully vaccinated before next Monday.
As of yesterday’s figures 90.3 per cent of adults in the state have had their first dose and 73.5 per cent of the state is now fully vaccinated.
However, Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was unlikely to move the goalposts for reopening when the 80 per cent fully-vaccinated milestone is reached — which means that if NSW doesn’t hit the milestone by Monday, residents could be waiting another two weeks for restrictions to ease.
If the target is met on Monday October 18 or later, road map rules stipulate more changes can’t take place until the following Monday, which is October 25.
From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent double-dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 20 people visit their home and participate in community sport.
Sydneysiders celebrate ‘freedom day’
Here are some of the best pictures from yesterday, when Sydney opened up after 100 days in lockdown.
Border change as NSW reopens
An exemption has been made to the public health order tonight to make life easier for NSW residents who enter the ACT for work or medical care.
NSW residents who have been in the ACT for work, to receive medical care, or to accompany someone receiving treatment will now no longer have to complete a declaration or follow stay at home rules after they return to NSW.
Everyone else entering NSW after being in the ACT will need to complete a declaration and follow the stay at home rules.
New business support in NSW
The NSW Government has committed to provide a Summer Holiday Stock Guarantee for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and will expand the Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate for all eligible small businesses.
Under the SME Summer Holiday Stock Guarantee, eligible businesses with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million will be able to apply for a grant of up to $20,000 to compensate for loss of perishable stock, or claim $10,000 for reduced capacity to sell non-perishable items if a local lockdown occurs and they are impacted.
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