As tennis and Novak Djokovic’s appearance in the Australian Open dominates the COVID news, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet met the press today as children between the age of five and 11 became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.
’As we move through what will be a difficult few weeks here in New South Wales, today we commence here in our state the rollout of vaccinations for our five to 11-year-olds, and that will occur at GPs, pharmacists and in many of our hubs right across our state.
‘We here in New South Wales want to particularly support that system as we move through we appreciate that and acknowledge that vaccination has been key to keeping our community safe and the efforts that people have made right across our state during this vaccination programme has ensured that New South Wales is in a particularly strong position to deal with this phenomenon.’
Mr Perrottet said as a parent, he knows it can be daunting getting the children vaccinated. ‘We had our daughter just last week being vaccinated – she’s in preschool now – she just screamed at the GP.
We’re supporting that GP network here in New South Wales – it’s a very kid-friendly environment, highly supportive to ensure this as much comfort for parents as parents and children and as we go through this period.’
Forty-seven people in NSW on ventilation
Dr Kerry Chant said that there are around 2,030 COVID cases admitted to hospital with 150 people in intensive care 47 of whom require ventilation. Half of the people in ICU are unvaccinated.
‘There were 20,030 cases detected by PCR testing reported in New South Wales to the 24 hours to 8pm last night and 84,000 tests PCR tests were reported in that period.
‘Now that clearly is an underestimate as people are moving and transitioning to RAT testing, but just to let you know that that certainly hopefully freeing up quite a lot of our capacity for PCR testing for those that need it.
‘If you cannot access a rapid antigen test and need to be tested, please proceed to get a PCR tested test. One of the key issues we just want people to be linked with care. So if you fall into the categories, where you’re unvaccinated, you’re pregnant, you have chronic underlying medical conditions. Please don’t delay getting a COVID diagnosis.
‘Also please, a reminder do not take symptoms such as breathlessness, particularly in young people – when that is not an underlying usual condition – seriously.’
Eighteen deaths in NSW yesterday
Dr Chant said that sadly she had to announce the deaths of 18 people. ‘Six women, 11 men and a child aged under five and the child from Southwestern Sydney who died at home and had significant underlying health conditions.
‘As we go out and about can I just remind people of some of the public health orders that are in place please continue to wear those masks indoors. Please continue to work from home where that’s practical.
‘Please also take those reasonable steps to limit your interactions within your social and broader social network. So keep those household gatherings smaller than you’d normally have. And also choose to go outdoors – keep your house windows open as much as you can.
‘These simple measures can really help us slow the rate of transmission of COVID and that is important to just reduce that burden on our health system and also our critical infrastructure work that we need to be maintained at this time.’
The Echo will post the latest local figures as they come to hand.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into 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.
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