Parkside Crescent, Campbelltown, where she mentioned the availability of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine does for some people.
It would appear that the current COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern NSW Local Health District may be waning. There are no absolutes but the figures from last Wednesday to Sunday have been on the decline.
To 4pm each day the numbers on new COVID-19 cases have gone down, from 606 new cases on Wednesday, (three deaths), 477 on Thursday (two daths) 393 on Friday, 345 on Saturday and 314 new cases on Sunday – we can only hope.
Yesterday’s stats included 100 positive PCR tests and 214 positive rapid antigen tests (RAT).
Confirmed tests by LGA (PCR and RAT included):
- Ballina 57
- Byron 37
- Clarence Valley 56
- Kyogle 6
- Lismore 19
- Richmond Valley 17
- Tweed 103
There are 32 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with four of these in ICU.
** Please note these RAT results may be from within the previous seven days, and there may be some cases included in these numbers where people have reported positive RATs on multiple days and/or where people have also had a positive PCR test during the same reporting period.
Last week in New South Wales
Dr Kerry Chant announced in the NSW stats update on Friday that there were currently 2,494 people in hospital, including 160 people in ICU 75 of whom are ventilated. ‘There were 10,698 positive test results returned, including 6,122 Positive rapid antigen tests and 76 positive PCR tests. Those 5,576 Positive PCR tests were from around 39,349 PCR tests.
’From the data we release on Fridays it is pleasing to see that we are seeing declines in new hospital admissions, ICU is also declining, you will know that the number of ventilated does still remain at a more constant level and we expect that to be a little bit slower in declining because the number of the patients have got longest length of stays in ICU when they are ventilated, but we will see that number come down as well.
Dr Chant said the health system continues to be working very hard. ‘When I say the health system, I mean the GPs, the pharmacist, the allied health professionals, the public hospitals in the private hospitals – they’re doing lots of tasks and I just want to acknowledge the great work they’re doing particularly all of the efforts to provide health care to all people and also rollout the booster programme.
Dr Chant said in the period from Friday January 28 to February 3, there were 253 deaths. ‘One person in their 30s, four in their 50s, 18 in their 60s, 50 in their 70s, 180 in the 80s and 68 between 90 and 99 – and four over 100 years of age. One hundred and thirty-six were aged care residents and of the 253 deaths, 52 were unvaccinated. Six had received one dose, 149 had received two doses, and only 46 had received three doses.
‘There were 13 deaths in the period for those under 65 years of age and one person was in their 30s, four in their 50s and eight were in their early 60s. Ten were males and three were females. Four were unvaccinated one who had one dose. Seven had two doses and one had had three doses and the person with the three doses had a very severe existing immunocompromised.’
Dr Chant also gave a list of comorbidities for the diseased. ‘Six people had diabetes, four had cardiac disease – three had significant immunosuppression, two had renal disease, one had liver disease, and one had cancer – two had obstructive sleep apnea.
A fourth dose available for some people
Just before ending her announcement Dr Chant mentioned yet another (fourth) shot is available for those who choose vaccination. ‘The salient message is that boosters are effective. I would like to urge everyone, particularly those with underlying health conditions, and those that are elderly, to really, as a matter of urgency, get boosted if it’s three months since your second dose, and for some of those individuals who are immuno-compromised or undergoing chemotherapy, they will require four doses – three doses as part of the primary course and a fourth dose – check with your GP and pharmacist but you may require four doses to have completed your schedule for vaccination.’
For the most up-to-date COVID information visit nsw.gov.au.
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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