Covid cases drop in NSW and Victoria as new freedoms come into force

Coronavirus cases have dropped overnight in NSW and Victoria as new freedoms come into force in both states.

Cases of Covid-19 have dropped overnight in NSW and Victoria.

NSW recorded 7615 new infections, down from Friday’s 9243 cases while Victoria reported 6280 new cases, down from the 6935 on Friday.

Twelve people died with the virus in NSW but the number of people in hospital has fallen with 1297 people receiving care for Covid with 81 of those are in intensive care.

Twenty more people died in Victoria with 365 in hospital, a huge drop on the 451 receiving care on Friday. Of those, 64 were in ICU.

In Queensland, the state recorded 4919 new cases and 10 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours.

There are now 391 people were in public hospitals and 31 are in intensive care.

The figures come as new freedoms have be introduced in New South Wales and Victoria.

Several restrictions eased at 6pm on Friday in Victoria including scrapping density limits in hospitality venues.

Latest cases numbers have been revealed in Victoria and NSW. Photo: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker

People no longer need to check-in at supermarkets and retail venues, and dancing at venues is back on the cards.

But Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said residents still needed to check-in at restaurants and pubs.

Meanwhile in NSW, restrictions were eased early with new freedoms coming into force yesterday.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was about taking a “measured approach”.

There are no longer density limits in hospitality venues and QR check-in is not mandatory, except at nightclubs and music events with more than 1000 people. Hospitals, aged and disability facilities will also continue to use check-in systems.

Singing and dancing at venues is also back on. More restrictions will ease on February 25.

The Novavax vaccine will soon be available in Victoria. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP

BOOKINGS NOW OPENED FOR NOVAVAX VACCINE IN VICTORIA

The latest figures come as Victorians aged 18 and over will be able to access the Covid vaccine Novavax via some state-run centres, GPs and pharmacies from Monday.

Pop-up vaccination clinics will also offer the vaccine over coming weeks in parts of Melbourne

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommends the Novavax vaccine be given in two doses at least three weeks apart.

Novavax is not currently approved for use as a third dose or for children.

Novavax contains part of the coronavirus spike protein, enabling the immune system cells to recognise the spike protein as a threat and begin building an immune response against it.

It also has an ingredient called the Matrix-M adjuvant, helping create a stronger immune response to the vaccine.

Novavax does not contain any live virus and cannot give you Covid.

It can be used with another approved Covid vaccine as either a first or second dose.

It’s one of four vaccines approved for use in Australia, along with AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna.

The new quarantine hub in Mickleham.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

VICTORIAN QUARANTINE HUB TO ACCEPT FIRST RESIDENTS

Meanwhile, a purpose-built Victorian Quarantine Hub is set to accept its first residents from Monday.

The jointly funded commonwealth-state project will become Victoria’s sole quarantine site as hotel quarantine is phased out over the next month.

It will have capacity for up to 1000 residents at any one time from April.

As well as unvaccinated travellers, the facility can accommodate eligible community members who are Covid-positive but cannot isolate at home, such as healthcare workers.

It can also operate as emergency accommodation after natural disasters and will be critical in any future pandemics.

The hub has been designed to stop the virus spreading through shared corridors and other internal spaces, unlike hotels, which needed to be retrofitted to meet quarantine and ventilation requirements.

Originally published as Covid cases drop in NSW and Victoria as new freedoms come into force