Covid-19 Australia: NSW records 239 new cases as outbreak grows


Sydney’s coronavirus outbreak shows no signs of slowing down with a record-equalling 239 new cases, the second day in a row of more than 200. 

Daily case numbers dipped after the record number was first reported on Thursday, but jumped back to 210 on Saturday including hundreds of mystery cases. 

NSW deputy chief health officer Jeremy McAnulty said an alarming number of cases were detected among childcare workers.

He strongly urged parents to consider keeping their children at home to curb the spread of infection through daycares.

‘It is a reminder, please reserve childcare centres if you really need to have your child in child care,’ he said. ‘Otherwise, keep them at home to minimise the spread through childcare.’ 

Sydney’s coronavirus outbreak shows no signs of slowing down with a record-equalling 239 new cases. Bondi Beach was packed on Sunday anyway 

New South Wales has recorded 239 new infections for a second time this week with a number of cases in childcare prompting warnings for parents to reconsider keeping their children at home

New South Wales has recorded 239 new infections for a second time this week with a number of cases in childcare prompting warnings for parents to reconsider keeping their children at home

Nine residents also tested positive at a nursing home in Summer Hill, in Sydney’s inner-west.

‘On a regular basis we are seeing cases in hospital settings or aged care settings and we have even had some disability settings as well,’ Mr McAnulty said.

‘So there is an outbreak in a Summer Hill aged care facility with I understand nine residents affected. 

‘Fortunately, many of those have been vaccinated. As I understand it, the ones with vaccination are doing relatively well.’ 

There are 54 patients being treated in the intensive care unit with a large number under 60 years of age. Seven are in their 20s, five are in their 30s, two in their 40s and six in their 50s.

Dr McAnulty warned younger residents aged between 18 and 30 were the biggest spreaders of the virus.  

The figures announced on Sunday marks the second time the state has reported a record 239 cases - after first recording the number on Thursday

The figures announced on Sunday marks the second time the state has reported a record 239 cases – after first recording the number on Thursday

Cases then dipped to 170 on Friday before jumping back to 210 on Saturday

Cases then dipped to 170 on Friday before jumping back to 210 on Saturday

Ms Berejiklian was pressed by a reporter over concerns that young people were being turned down requests to get the AstraZeneca vaccine by their GPs (pictured, police confronting a resident outside Hyde Park)

Ms Berejiklian was pressed by a reporter over concerns that young people were being turned down requests to get the AstraZeneca vaccine by their GPs (pictured, police confronting a resident outside Hyde Park)

‘We are seeing cases at high rates in those age group,’ he said.

‘This is the age group that tends to be a link between kids, younger people, and older, elderly relatives. 

‘They are working, they have big social networks, if you are in that age group it is important that you be aware that you are very vulnerable to the infection, as we have seen in ICU numbers you can get serious disease. It is important you come forward for vaccination.’ 

Only 80 of the new cases were in isolation, with 35 partially out in the community while infectious and at least 26 were out in the public and not isolating. 

State premier Gladys Berejiklian renewed calls for Sydneysiders to get vaccinated amid the worrying case numbers. 

‘Today is August 1 and I am calling upon the people of greater Sydney, and New South Wales, to come forward and get vaccinated,’ she said.

‘To get to the 70% target we need 9.2 million jabs. To get the 80% target we need 10 million jabs. We have been talking about this in New South Wales for some time.’

The 80 per cent target has been set by the federal government as the key to reopening the border and scrapping state lockdowns.

Ms Berejiklian was pressed by a reporter over concerns that young people were being turned down requests to get the AstraZeneca vaccine by their GPs. 

‘On the 20 to 30 age bracket, we are hearing stories of people wanted to get AstraZeneca, going to the GP and the GP says no, wait for Pfizer,’ the reporter said.

‘What are you doing about that because that messaging is very different and the message is consistently changing over months?’

Ms Berejiklian responded: ‘The NSW Government always follows the advice of the federal health authorities.’

‘Of course, we ask ability to follow that health advice by the health advice in New South Wales is that if you are over 18, it is safe to get either vaccine.’

Of the patients in ICU, seven are in their 20s, five are in their 30s, two in their 40s and six in their 50s

Of the patients in ICU, seven are in their 20s, five are in their 30s, two in their 40s and six in their 50s 

State premier Gladys Berejiklian renewed calls for Sydneysiders to get vaccinated amid the worrying case numbers (pictured, Sydney residents walking at Hyde Park)

State premier Gladys Berejiklian renewed calls for Sydneysiders to get vaccinated amid the worrying case numbers (pictured, Sydney residents walking at Hyde Park)

There are currently 54 patients being treated in the intensive care unit with a large number under 60 years of age

There are currently 54 patients being treated in the intensive care unit with a large number under 60 years of age 

The new cases come as health authorities raise concerns about the number of people coming forward for testing.

On Saturday, photos emerged of a Bondi Covid test centre sitting empty while a Fairfield clinic was packed with residents. 

A local resident who went to get tested at 3.30pm told Daily Mail Australia the empty clinic was concerning.

‘If no-one is getting tested in the eastern suburbs, that could mean lots of cases are going undetected,’ he said. 

The exposure list has also grown with three busy buses, a train line fruit markets, pizza shops, bakeries, a Target store and a cheesecake shop among the new venues. 

Among the new exposure sites is the 400 bus running between Bondi Junction and Clovelly, and a Woolworths in Double Bay.

Bondi is part of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, where there have been 301 positive cases in the four weeks to July 30.

That test rate in that LHD - 270 per 1,000 - lags behind South Western Sydney LHD on 450, Sydney LHD on 312 and Western Sydney LHD on 281 (Bondi pictured on Friday)

That test rate in that LHD – 270 per 1,000 – lags behind South Western Sydney LHD on 450, Sydney LHD on 312 and Western Sydney LHD on 281 (Bondi pictured on Friday)

Sydney residents step out in Bondi to exercise

Sydneysider spends the day at Bondi beach

Concerns were raised over the number of residents coming forward for testing after footage revealed a nearly empty testing clinic at Bondi 

That test rate in that LHD – 270 per 1,000 – lags behind South Western Sydney LHD on 450, Sydney LHD on 312 and Western Sydney LHD on 281.

Additional exposure sites released on Saturday include venues include World of Fruit in Campsie and Mancini’s Original Woodfired Pizza in Belfield, where anyone who attended at times listed must immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14-days regardless of a negative result. 

The same rules apply for shoppers at a Penrith Officeworks on High Street, with shoppers who visited the store on Monday July 26 between the hours of 12pm – 5pm now considered close contacts. 

Several other south-west Sydney sites were listed as casual contact venues, including Wattle Grove Coles, Rainbow Cakes Strathfield, Blacktown Kmart and Cincotta chemist in Campsie.

Bankstown recorded casual contact exposure sites at a Woolworths at Centro shopping centre on July 30, Priceline Pharmacy on July 28, Suhhtan Pizza Bakery July 23 and Aussie Farm Fresh on July 28.

Those who visited the affected venues at the listed times must immediately get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.  

A stay at home order was also issued on Saturday evening for anyone in New South Wales who has visited 11 LGAs in Queensland since July 21. 

Worrying photos emerged of a Covid test centre in Bondi sitting empty on Saturday afternoon, in stark contrast to packed clinics in Fairfield, in south-west

Worrying photos emerged of a Covid test centre in Bondi sitting empty on Saturday afternoon, in stark contrast to packed clinics in Fairfield, in south-west

This Bond testing centres (pictured) was empty on Saturday, even though the South-Eastern Sydney local health district has recorded 301 positive cases in the last four weeks as of July 30

This Bond testing centres (pictured) was empty on Saturday, even though the South-Eastern Sydney local health district has recorded 301 positive cases in the last four weeks as of July 30

Medical staff assist locals queueing at a medical centre to undertake COVID-19 testing in Fairfield on Friday

Medical staff assist locals queueing at a medical centre to undertake COVID-19 testing in Fairfield on Friday

Anyone who visited Officeworks at High Street, Penrith, on July 26, 12pm - 5pm is considered a close contact

Anyone who visited Officeworks at High Street, Penrith, on July 26, 12pm – 5pm is considered a close contact

The affected LGAs are: Brisbane City, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, and Sunshine Coast Regional Council. 

Anyone in the same household must also follow the stay at home rules and to only leave home with a reasonable excuse.

People will only be permitted to leave their places of residence with a reasonable excuse, being shopping, medical care, caregiving, outdoor exercise with a member of your household or one other person, and work or education, if you cannot do it from home.  

The warning comes as 210 new local cases were recorded overnight with 21 of those infectious within the community, as contact tracers scramble to contain the state’s latest deadly covid-19 outbreak.

A spike in new cases prompted Gladys Berejiklian to announce an entire stadium would be set up to help boost the state’s vaccination rates and 1,000 police and soldiers have been called in to enforce the Sydney lockdown which is now over a month in. 

Of the 210 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases recorded, up to 152 of those cases may have been active in the community while infectious.

Several other Southwest Sydney sites were listed as casual contact venues, including Wattle Grove Coles, Rainbow Cakes Strathfield, Blacktown Kmart and Cincotta chemist in Campsie

Several other Southwest Sydney sites were listed as casual contact venues, including Wattle Grove Coles, Rainbow Cakes Strathfield, Blacktown Kmart and Cincotta chemist in Campsie

Latest Covid exposure sites in NSW

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

Belfield, Mancini’s Original Woodfired Pizza, 21 Burwood Road. Sunday 18 July to Saturday 24 July. ALL DAY. 

Penrith, Officeworks, 273 High Street. Monday 26 July 12pm to 5pm. 

Campsie, World of Fruit, 224 Beamish Street. Sunday 25 July 10.40am to 11am.

Anyone who travelled on the following public transport routes is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

Bondi Junction Clovelly, 400 Bus, from Bondi Junction Station Stand F to Frenchmans Road at Clovelly Road, Randwick. Monday 19 July 1.31pm to 1.40pm

Campsie to Earlwood, 473 Bus, from Dan’s Corner, Beamish Street, Campsie to Earlwood Shops. Monday 26 July 2.42pm to 2.51pm

Summer Hill to Camperdown, 461X Bus, from Parramatta Road after Sloane Street, Summer Hill to Parramatta Road bf Lyons, Camperdown. Tuesday 27 July 8.09am to 8.17am

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. 

Fairfield, Everyday in Fairfield, 109 Sackville Street. Thursday 15 July 4pm to 4.10pm.

Wattle Grove, Coles, Village Way. Friday 23 July 10.25am to 11am.

Bankstown, Suhhtan Pizza Bakery, 226 Chapel Road. Friday 23 July 12.20pm to 12.25pm

Strathfield, Rainbow Cakes, 2 Churchill Ave. Saturday 24 July 10am-11am.

Blacktown, Kmart, 28 Patrick Street. Saturday 24 July 5.40pm to 5.45pm. 

Bankstown, Priceline Pharmacy, 1 North Terrace. Wednesday 28 July 12.45pm to 1.05pm.

Campsie, Cincotta Chemist, 157 – 159 Beamish Street. Friday 30 July 4.40pm to 5.15pm.

Bankstown, Woolworths Bankstown Centro Shopping Centre, Lady Cutler Avenue. Friday 30 July 8am to 9.10am.

Double Bay, Woolworths, Kiaora Road. Sunday 18 July 5.30pm to 5.45pm and Monday 19 July 4.30pm to 4.45pm.

Yagoona, Ya Ya Bakery, 522 Hume Highway. Monday 19 July 6.45am to 7am.

Liverpool, Mina Pizza, Shop 3, 46 Elizabeth Street. Tuesday 20 July 9am to 10am.

Granville, Woolworths, 6 Louis Street. Wednesday 21 July 6.20pm to 6.50pm.

Eastwood, La Vigne Bakery, 82 Rowe Street. Thursday 22 July 11.40am to 11.55am.

St Marys, Aldi, 410-422 Great Western Highway. Thursday 22 July 5.30pm to 5.45pm.

Macquarie Fields, Target, Glenquarie Town Centre Click and Collect, Victoria Road. Thursday 22 July 9am to 7pm, Friday 23 July 9am to 5pm, Sunday 25 July 9am to 5pm, Monday 26 July 9am to 5pm, Tuesday 27 July 9am to 5pm.

Wentworth Point, The Smelly Cheesecake, 5 Footbridge Boulevard. Saturday 24 July 9.25am to 9.35am.

Burwood, Evergreen Fresh World, Burwood Plaza, 42 Railway Parade. Saturday 24 July 2.45pm to 3.15pm.

St Marys, IGA, Great Western Highway and Mamre Road. Saturday 24 July 4pm to 4.15pm.

Lakemba, Woolworths, 2-26 Haldon Street. Saturday 24 July 10.30am to 10.40am.

Bankstown, Aussie Farm Fresh, Bankstown Central Shopping Centre, North Terrace. Wednesday 28 July 8.40am to 8.50am.

Anyone who travelled on the following train service is considered a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

T4 Train Line, From Caringbah to Bondi Junction. Monday 19 July 12.12pm to 1.26pm.

 

 

‘By far the majority’ of new cases continued to be diagnosed in Sydney’s southwest and western Sydney, Mr Hazzard told reporters.

The minister highlighted the dangers of the Delta strain to young people, with just under two thirds of the new cases (138) aged under 40.

Younger people are also being hospitalised, he said.

Of the 53 people in intensive care, six are in their 20s, four are in their 30s, one is in their 40s, 18 are in their 50s, 14 are in their 60s, nine are in their 70s and one is in their 80s.

Non-urgent elective surgery has been cancelled but Mr Hazzard said a number of procedures will be dealt with by the private health system instead.

Greater Sydney and surrounding regions are in lockdown until at least August 28, as authorities battle to contain the Delta outbreak.

Saturday marked the return of the construction sector after a fortnight-long enforced break, with work allowed to resume on non-occupied sites provided COVID-safe plans are in force.

But the sector said it cannot call on 68,000 workers – or 42 per cent of the workforce – from eight council areas worst-hit by the city’s coronavirus outbreak.

Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies said many construction sites will struggle to reopen at the end of the two-week industry shutdown with over half its workforce in the locked down LGAs.

Bankstown recorded three casual contact exposure sites at a Woolworths at Centro shopping centre on July 30, Priceline Pharmacy on July 28 and Suhhtan Pizza Bakery July 23

Bankstown recorded three casual contact exposure sites at a Woolworths at Centro shopping centre on July 30, Priceline Pharmacy on July 28 and Suhhtan Pizza Bakery July 23

AUSTRALIA’S LATEST COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS: 

* A three-day lockdown has been imposed in Queensland’s southeast, including the harshest restrictions the state has yet seen, after six local cases were recorded.

* It includes 10km travel restrictions for people in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset and the Lockyer Valley.

* NSW has seen another death from COVID-19, after a man in his 60s died at home in southwest Sydney, as the state recorded 210 local cases with at least 32 in the community while infectious.

* The ADF has deployed another 300 personnel to help police with isolation and welfare checks, in addition to 250 already working in quarantine enforcement.

* Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Astra Zeneca vaccine is ‘making a comeback’ and is vital for the country to reach agreed upon jab rates of at least 70 per cent.

* Delegates at the Australian Medical Association’s national conference have renewed calls for a no-fault vaccination indemnity scheme, which has not been finalised by the federal government.

* Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said he was confident the states would not decide to go it alone with future lockdowns once agreed vaccination rates had been achieved.

* Mining magnate and former federal politician Clive Palmer has announced he will launch a High Court challenge to Scott Morrison’s vaccine passport proposal.

* Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd said concern was high within the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which met on Saturday, around the continuing outbreak in Sydney and latest lockdown forced by new cases in Queensland.

* Professor Kidd said Australia had reached a significant milestone in its COVID response, with 40 per cent of Australians aged 16 and above having received a first dose of vaccine.

* Across Australia, more than 200,000 vaccine doses have been administered over each of the past three days, while over the past five days, the total is 990,000 doses, with 12.2 million doses administered in total.

* Construction work has been allowed to resume in Sydney but 68,000 workers from the areas worst hit by the virus cannot go to their building sites.

* The Sydney CBD was declared an exclusion zone with taxi and ride share services banned as authorities tried to stop another anti-lockdown protest.

* Victoria has pushed out the interval between doses of the Pfizer vaccine from three weeks to six, to help more people get a first dose.

AUSTRALIAN VACCINATION NUMBERS:

* There have been 12,206,684 doses administered in the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout up to Friday, including 200,706 in the previous 24 hours.

* Of the total, 6,914,150 have been administered by the Commonwealth (an increase of 124,012 in the previous 24 hours).

* 6,391,251 have been issued in primary care (+119,594) and 522,899 in aged and disability facilities (+4,418).

* 5,292,534 have been administered by the states and territories, including 76,694 in the previous 24 hours.

* 1,630,960 have been administered in Victoria (+20,865), 1,473,867 in NSW (+26,872), 910,938 in Queensland (+11,879), 499,332 in Western Australia (+8,264), 389,217 in South Australia (+5,426), 161,592 in Tasmania (+0), 136,339 in the ACT (+2,244) and 90,289 in the NT (+1,144)

AUSTRALIAN CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS:

* Australia reported 218 local cases on Saturday, July 31: 210 in NSW, two in Victoria and six in Queensland.

* There were three new overseas-acquired cases: two in NSW and one in Queensland.

* The national death toll is 923: Victoria 820, NSW 67, Tasmania 13, WA 9, Queensland 7, SA 4, ACT 3. (Two Queensland residents who died in NSW have been included in the official tolls of both states).

 



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