As New South Wales breaks another COVID record with 29 lives lost in a single day, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet spoke to the media this morning with an update on the pandemic.
‘My thoughts my prayers and our hearts go out to all families right across New South Wales who have lost a loved one at this time,’ he said.
’Today, we can announce that over 40 per cent of eligible people have received their booster shot. And so can I thank everybody across the state for that effort. It’s the efforts and sacrifices that people have made right across New South Wales that has got us through the pandemic over the last two years.
Fifty-nine people on ventilation
Dr Kerry Chant said there are currently 2,525 COVID cases admitted to hospital including 184 People in intensive care, 59 of whom require ventilation. There were 63,018 positive tests notified to 8pm Last night, including 37,938 positive rapid antigen tests and 25,080 Positive PCR tests. ‘Of the 37,938 positive RAT tests, 24,329 of these positive tests were from the previous seven days.
‘I just wanted to cover the issue of close contacts. Under the requirements, close contacts, we are moving away from the term “close contact”. We are focusing our efforts on those that are most at risk. So everyone probably can understand that household contacts are the group that’s most at risk if you’ve got an infectious case in that setting.
‘We know that Omicron and other variants spread very rapidly in households. So we’re asking there is a requirement that when you’re notified as a case, you let your household know and your household is under an obligation to stay at home for those seven days, to do a RAT test immediately. And to do one on day six.
‘We’re letting people know that whilst you’re most likely to acquire your infection in the first seven days after exposure to a case, we need people to be aware that the risky really extends for the full 14 days. So whilst 75 per cent of cases will arise in that first seven days after you’ve been exposed, there will be a smaller number that can arise in that second seven days.’
Close contacts and casual contacts
Dr Chant said another key point and so a way forward is for people to understand their personal circumstances. ‘I think we’re moving away from the terminology “close contacts” or “casual contacts” because they meant certain things at certain times. What we’re trying to do is inform the community about their level of risk following an exposure to COVID. There’s a guidance document that says what do I do if I’m exposed to COVID on our website, and what it does is take you takes you through what are your considerations so if you spent a long time indoors with a person and in close proximity without masks, that increases your risk.
If it was a fleeting outdoor exposure, it’s a low risk – or if you’ve got a service New South Wales ping, you’ve probably been in an indoor environment where both of you have been masked and you’ve been socially distancing: low risk. You don’t need to do anything. It’s monitor the symptoms.’
Infections post-COVID
Dr Chant said there is one point that probably hasn’t been very clear, and that is some of the risks post-COVID. ‘If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID, that is, people with recent COVID, who have had a high-risk exposure like a household contact, within four weeks of being released from isolation, they are not considered at risk of reinfection and therefore don’t have to isolate.
‘For instance, if you’ve had COVID you’ve done your seven days isolation, for the next four weeks, even if you get exposed to COVID or someone else in your household gets COVID that hadn’t had it before, you do not need to isolate. You are considered, pragmatically, not to be considered at risk of reinfection for that period.’
It’s ok if it’s Hillsong
Mr Perrottet also addressed the issue of the recent Hillsong Youth Camp video which surfaced on social media showing hundreds of youth singing and dancing at an event in Newcastle.
Mr Perrottet said he was completely shocked to see that footage. ‘New South Wales Health was dealing with that last night and I think I echo the frustration and anger that people right across the state felt.
‘What has got us through the last two years has been the efforts and sacrifices that many have made to keep people safe. That means that many businesses have had to tailor the way they operate. Many people have had to change their behaviour to keep people safe.’
The current Public Health Order states that singing and dancing is not permitted at a hospitality venue, entertainment facility, nightclub, major recreation facility or music festival. Exceptions apply to a performer who is performing or rehearsing, a person who is instructing or being instructed, in singing or dancing, and a wedding service, or a gathering immediately following a wedding.
There are questions over exemptions as they are a religious movement, and the concert was part of a ‘worship’ service, but the footage and photos show it was clearly a celebratory and entertainment event and not just praising the Lord.
‘We have made those rules and even if technically, it was within the rules. It certainly wasn’t in the spirit of the rules. I understand that Hillsong are ensuring that that doesn’t occur again, but I was incredibly disappointed.
‘These rules aren’t there for the sake of it. These rules are in place to keep people safe. And for the 99.95 per cent of people who were doing the right thing. I think everyone would feel completely frustrated and shocked by what they saw last night. And you know, ‘ ‘The legal teams believe that it was in breach of the Public Health Order, then my expectation would be that a fine would be in place by the by the police force.’
Loopholes need to be tightened
Mr Perrottet said that loopholes might have to be tightened. ‘I don’t want to do that because that means it will capture a whole lot of other organisations that are doing the right thing. The vast majority of people across our state are doing the right thing. They’re following the rules to keep people safe. And this was an exception to those efforts, the sacrifices that people are making.
‘I’ll take the advice in relation to the legal team that New South Wales Health and if they are in breach, which is what the information I’ve received from the Health Minister is, then a fine should be issued.’
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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All of Australia and the media should be demanding Morrison and Perrottet immediate resignations!
I’ll second that.
The Hillsong camp debacle won’t do much good for the relationship between SCOVID, the holy roller Pentecostalist prime minister and DOMICRON, the ardent Catholic premier, now that Domicron has declared that Hillsong ought to be fined for its egregious flouting of the rules.
The pair of them have demonstrated utter ineptitude at managing the pandemic and ought to be turfed out at the first opportunity.
‘The legal teams believe that it was in breach of the Public Health Order,’……..!
Why do we have to put up with idiots in government who are unable to understand a music festival ( even if sanctioned by a religious sect ) breaches every restriction we have to fight this plague ?
God save us from Religion, G”)
But, but, but, we “living with Covid ” – just don’t mention the deaths and more of the dying to come, we “surfing the wave” – an Omicron Tsunami!, we “pushing through” –what exactly?, we “taking wickets like Covid – Covid has been batting 2 years plus and still NOT OUT. Yes readers, it all part of Scomicron and Domicron grand plan of Economy, Economy, Economy. Public Health and Safety is…..pfffffff.
Power corrupts! These two politicians are a perfect example of naked power lacking humanity.
Goodness gracious me… there’s no ‘fine for Hillsong either. The privileged once again
get away with it. It’s an interconnecting pie-in-the-sky. Too precious for words.
The Hillsong singing ravers just doing the Lord’s work, the work of Lord Covid. A religious Super Spreader event rightfully getting exemption from Lord Covid’s disciple Domicron. Still waiting to hear from Scomicron calling out Hillsong’s p a r t y. Maybe it was an Australian version UK Boris and his infamous p a r t y that wasn’t a pa r t y.