Cases in Sydney continue to soar with 1,029 cases recorded to 8pm last night in NSW, the highest yet, and Dr Kerry Chant said they are likely to continue to rise for some time. As a result regional NSW will remain in lockdown for another two weeks, until 10 September.
‘We need everyone to do the right thing,’ said Dr Chant as she said that ‘the numbers may well go way above 1,000 cases’.
‘We cannot be complacent at the moment with our stretched system… The regional lockdown for two more weeks [will help] to reduce the bushfires [COVID cases] in the regions,’ she said.
Real estate prospecting back on
As the state has now reached the premier’s target of six million COVID 19 vaccinations, some public health orders have been eased, including a temporary ban on people leaving their LGAs in order to inspect prospective real estate purchases. This is of particular concern to areas like Northern Rivers who have been placed at risk by this provision previously.
Other lifting of restrictions include residents who live outside LGAs of concern being able to hold outdoor gatherings for up to five people from one household if all the adult members are fully vaccinated.
Testing under pressure
The advice remains that you should get tested if you have any symptoms however, the government admitted that they testing system is at its limit. The said that people who don’t have symptoms and haven’t been exposed or at risk should not get tested just to be sure. They also highlighted that businesses should not be tying up testing resources unnecessarily.
‘We are wanting to focus our testing resources on symptomatic people,’ said Dr Chant.
‘We want those testing [turnaround] times into a more manageable area.’
Return to school
Premier Berejiklian told the press conference that they ‘will be talking about safe return to school tomorrow’.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week. COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal. Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU. The AEC says that voters who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to phone in their vote in the federal election. The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests. Volunteering Australia says volleys are the backbone of the country in times of crisis and emergency.
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I’m afraid we’re in the hands of clowns.
This sucks… talk about our well being and sanity! If we are free of COVID-19 in our LGA and if we are fully vaccinated… FREEDOM!!!
I recomend everyone calls the Premiers office and demand that Real Estate directive be withdrawn.
the phone contact is 0292285555
We are covid free atm and wish to remain so
Does it come with a lollipop?
Unbelievable, zero cases yet still locked down. They could at least open up the schools since there are no cases. That would make more sense than to allow people from Sydney to head to our region under the guise off ‘looking at a property to purchase’, that’s what started our lockdown in the first place.
It is about time this government actually spent money protecting our regional communities by blockading the highways of Sydney and other major hotspots from infecting and spreading COVID-19 to our communities. I have been a loyal liberal-country party supporter for 40 years. No more as the NSW government is only worrying about Sydney and forgetting us. Just like a fire blockade out the spread. The vaccine itself will not assist as it neither kills the virus or prevents its spread.
Whereas the Qld Government has done a good job and should be congratulated.
Time for this Government to go!!
David, Tweed Heads
The only way out of this is to reach 70% to 80% fully vaccinated in NSW, and all of Australia. Totally messed up by Morrison’s failed vaccination roll out. The Fed’s should be compensating every worker and business whilst we still have lockdowns, until they sort out the vaccination debacle.
Get the vaccine!
C’mon Echo. Write something about the Farce that is going on. Lockdown in India has killed Thousands, not because of Covid, but because the laborers were sent home and were not able to earn a living. Malnutrition and starvation, all very well documented. Now more Lockdown in Oz. What the f….!
We are in the hands of a virus. Zero Covid is an illusion, and there is no vaccination available for the new delta variant (see Israel). In an ever changing world we have an ever changing virus. Instead of doing the only sensible thing, which is to protect the old (80+) and elderly in nursing homes and hospitals, we are enforcing the impossible. No lockdown will ever cure us from covid or avoid spreading it. Air Cleaners for Schools, good food and hygiene will do the rest, Masks or not. But as long as elderly care( Nursing Homes and Hospitals) is in private Hands, I am afraid more people will die for profits sake. By the way: the data on excess death rate is online available, so make up your mind and vote : Freedom.
Frank, do try to keep up. Have you checked out the new cohorts of infection and hospitalisation from this “ever changing virus”?
” C’mon Echo. Write something about the Farce ”
Nice try Frank but behind the illusion the Echo has manifestly turned and sits with the Totalitarian State.
Alternative voices having abandoned the Echo, I also now cease to comment.
Just get vaccinated.
The only reason this “extended lockdown” made sense was to protect us from the “people looking at real estate” as we have no actual cases in our area….And now they ve allowed them to travel!!!…what’s the point….I’m slowly loosing faith….and trying not to get angry.