Covid-19 News Updates

78 new cases for NSW as Premier applauds "enormous benefit" of frequent Fairfield community testing

NSW reported 78 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night including 27 who were infectious while in the community, as Premier Gladys Berejiklian reiterates hopes that difficult lockdown decisions made will start to produce lower numbers by the end of this week.

The Premier says workplaces and households continue to be the main sources of infection, both in key areas concern in Southwest Sydney but across Greater Sydney where new daily cases continue to trickle in.

"No matter what you do and where you live, if you must go to work please make sure you think about your situation," the Premier said.

"If you have symptoms, you shouldn't be going to work.

"And if you live in the Fairfield area in particular, please make sure you get tested every three days before you go to work. That is really providing enormous benefits to us in capturing cases which otherwise may have been undetected. And we're very, very grateful that that's occurring."

Berejiklian added 6,000 businesses have had their applications processed for support to date.

Updated at 11:21am AEST on 20 July 2021.

QLD records new COVID case who was in Sunshine Coast community while infectious

A woman in her 20s who returned home to Queensland from her studies in Victoria has tested positive to COVID-19, putting various venues and transport routes on alert across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Cairns and Mareeba.

From Queensland Health's indications, the woman who has received two Pfizer vaccine doses appears to have done everything by the book including mask wearing on public transport and in an Uber, as well as check-ins and following testing recommendations from Victorian authorities via mobile phone.

The individual flew from Melbourne to Maroochydoore on 13 July, staying with friends on the Sunshine Coast until 16 July before catching Virgin Australia flight VA791 on that day to Cairns, where a relative picked her up and took her home to Mareeba where she has been in isolation.

"She received an SMS from Victorian health authorities on the 15th of July because she had been at the Young & Jacksons pub on the 10th of July and that was declared a tier one site by Victoria," QLD Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young told a press conference this morning.

"So she then went and immediately got herself tested, and she tested negative. 

"She then went out and about in Maroochydoore, so on the Thursday she was staying with friends in Maroochydoore and then that afternoon from 3:55pm to 4:15pm she went to the Sunshine Coast Plaza, and specifically visited the Universal Store there. We're just getting additional details now of what other movements she had."

Of particular concern however is the Riceboi restaurant in Mooloolabah where she spent time from 6:45pm to 8pm on that night, the 15 July.

Dr Young has called on anyone who attended that restaurant during those times to immediately come forward to get tested and isolate until contacted by QLD Health.

"The following day on Friday the 16th of July she travelled via Uber at 12:15pm to Maroochydoore Station, then caught the 615 bus to Landsborough Station, then went by train from Landsborough to Eagle Junction, then caught the AirTrain to Brisbane Airport," Dr Young says.

After flying to Far North Queensland, the woman remained at home in Mareeba in isolation until she went to the Atherton fever clinic at 10:30am on Sunday, 18 July.

"She did have some symptoms, so we've deemed her infectious period back to the 15th of July. That's when she had a negative test as well in Maroochydore."

Dr Young notes the woman is fully vaccinated after receiving her second dose on 10 May.

"That is really good, which does reduce the risk but it doesn't remove the risk," she says.

"She was wearing a mask, and of course we require anyone in the Sunshine Coast - who has been part of 11 LGAs (local government areas) in Southeast Queensland to be wearing masks at the moment, and she wore a mask on the plane, and we will of course be contact tracing everyone on that flight - VA791."

Deputy Premier Steven Miles emphasises how the reduced density requirements at hospitality venues and the wearing of masks will have reduced further community transmission, but it's absolutely critical that anyone who has travelled to Victoria, New South Wales or South Australia monitor state health websites for venues of concern.

"That's where the risk of community transmission here in Queensland is. It is from Queenslanders and people coming to Queensland who have been at those locations," he says.

He notes the South Australian Government has implemented restrictions, and Queensland will be reciprocating that as is done with all hotspot arrangements.

Updated at 10:32am AEST on 20 July 2021.

SA to implement state-wide restrictions tonight as yet another case confirmed

UPDATE 20 JULY: South Australia will go into a seven-day lockdown from 6pm on 20 July. Read more here.

Premier Steven Marshall has announced that the daughter of the 81-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 today has also returned a positive result, escalating concerns and prompting significant restrictions in the state.

"The positive result for the daughter is very significantly increasing our anxiety at the moment," he says.

Level 4 restrictions will be put in place as of midnight tonight, setting limits of 1 person per 4 square meters. Private activities have been capped at 10 people. 

People will be allowed to dine outdoors, but food and beverages can only be consumed when seated.

Any form of non-essential retail will be closed. Pharmacies, grocery stores, dry cleaners, newsagents and post offices will remain open.

Masks will be necessary for high risk settings, including indoor spaces where physical distance cannot be maintained, and public transport.

"We're very concerned about this situation, we are assuming it is the Delta variant. We can see what happens in other jurisdictions around the world where there are delays in putting restrictions in place. We don't want that in South Australia.

"Our focus right from day one has been to go hard and to go early and to minimise disruption to business," says the Premier.

Premier Marshall says there is no specific direction about working from home, although it is strongly encouraged. Authorities also want to limit mobility to regional SA, especially in the Riverland which is on alert given the new case reported over the border in Mildura, VIC.

All indoor fitness will be closed, along with bans on team or club contact sport.

Restrictions on dancing, singing and the use of shisha will also be implemented. 

To see the developing exposure sites in South Australia, click here. 

The restrictions will be reviewed on Friday, 23 July.

Updated at 5:02pm AEST on 19 July 2021.

SA on alert over new COVID-19 case

An 81-year-old man in South Australia has tested positive to COVID-19 at Modbury Hospital.

The man had previously travelled with his daughter to Argentina where he received one COVID-19 vaccination while overseas.

Upon arrival into Australia, he quarantined for two weeks in New South Wales. SA Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier says the man was quarantining both in a medi-hotel and hospital during this period due to his health.

She added the man suffered from a fall and was hospitalised for 10 days before entering South Australia on 8 July.

After suffering from symptoms over the weekend, he visited Modbury Hospital and returned a positive result at 2:30am today.

A total of 16 people have been identified as close contacts. His daughter and grandson returned a negative result.

The grandson normally attends Elizabeth Vale Primary School but it has been confirmed he did not attend during the holidays. The school will reopen tomorrow.

It is unknown whether the man's daughter has received any vaccination.

No lockdown has been announced, but further restrictions will be imposed. A risk assessment is currently being undertaken at the hospital.

The following locations are confirmed exposure sites:

• Modbury Commonwealth Bank
  Tuesday 13 July: 10:00am - 11:15am
  Wednesday 14 July: 10:30am - 12:15pm
   
• Aldi, St Agnes Shopping Centre
  Tuesday 13 July: 10:20am - 11:30am
   
• Hindmarsh Gaganis Brothers
  Friday 16 July: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
   
• The Golden Grove OPSM
  Saturday 17 July: 3:00pm - 4:45pm
   
• Golden Grove Village Shopping Centre
  Saturday 17 July: 3:00pm - 4:45pm
   
• The Grove Newsagency, Golden Grove Village Shopping Centre
  Saturday 17 July: 3:30pm - 4:45pm 
   
• Glenelg - Wigley Reserve
  Friday 16 July: 12:30pm - 1:15pm

Updated at 3:09pm AEST on 19 July 2021.

Victorian lockdown extended as primary close contacts grow to 15,800

The Victorian lockdown will not be lifted tomorrow night as many had hoped, as testing continues for thousands of close contacts while 13 new positive COVID-19 results take the total number of active cases in the state to 72.

Premier Daniel Andrews thanked the 55,000 Victorians who came forward for testing yesterday, but with more than 250 exposure sites stretching from "Phillip Island to the Mallee" as well as the first coronavirus case in Mildura since March last year, he is not taking any chances.

There are now 15,800 primary close contacts in connection to the current outbreak, including 3,000 linked to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), 1,800 connected to AAMI Park, 2,300 related to Trinity Grammar, 2,700 linked to Bacchus Marsh Grammar and 540 connected to the restaurant Ms. Frankie.

Tests or tests results are still pending for large percentages of these groups of people, from around 50 per cent who attended an AFL game at the MCG to 24 per cent remaining for the Bacchus Marsh school cohort.

"What we know with [the variant] Delta is an hour's like a day and a day's like a week in some ways," the Premier says.

"We see in Sydney how fast it's moving, and indeed right here. If it's smouldering, then it will run off again, it will take off again.

"Knowing what we know now, lockdown was the right course -  that was the right call at the right time. It was and remains very challenging but we will not be ready to lift this lockdown at midnight tomorrow night."

Andrews acknowledges it is frustrating not being able to tell the public exactly what the rules will be and what timeframe will exist after midnight tomorrow, but that will all depend on the interviews taking place over the course of today and conclusions reached by health experts tonight or tomorrow morning.

"The Chief Health Officer will provide advice to me and my senior colleagues," he says.

Updated at 12:12pm AEST on 19 July 2021.

98 new cases for NSW as effects of harsher lockdown yet to be seen

"We won't see the effect of the harsher restrictions for another four or five days, but I know they're there to be had if all of us stick together and work hard," says NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

NSW is yet to see the delayed impacts of stricter lockdowns announced over the weekend for Greater Sydney and its surrounding regions, with 98 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases reported to 8pm last night including 20 people who were infectious in the community for more than a day.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the state is "up to the task" of beating the virus, but greater awareness was needed in the community about asymptomatic transmission between households, particularly in Southwestern Sydney where two-thirds of cases were recorded.

"We're seeing so many cases of families going through distress because they're moving from household to household thinking they're doing the right thing, but unfortunately even when you don't have symptoms you might not know you're carrying the virus," the Premier said, adding health experts note the Delta virus makes you more likely to spread COVID-19 while asymptomatic.

She has also urged businesses and individuals affected by government decisions over the last few weeks or over the weekend to apply for immediate disaster payments on Services Australia or business support grants via Service NSW.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant says it is pleasing to see "the venues have been narrowed and that people appear to be taking the health advice about limiting the time spent anywhere, and also not going out when you're sick".

There are currently 82 COVID cases admitted to hospital in the state with 24 in intensive care.

Dr Chant listed several key testing sites within the current lockdown areas of Greater Sydney the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas (LGAs), although some were outside those areas including Coffs Harbour, Mittagong and Burradoo.

The police reported 201 infringements over the 24-hour period, including 121 in regional NSW.

Over the weekend the NSW Government announced a pause on construction activity for lockdown areas, along with restrictions on repairs, maintenance and cleaning except for health, safety or emergency reasons. 

The government has also mandated that most retail premises in the lockdown areas would be closed as of yesterday, except for retailers that provide the following products and services:

• supermarkets
• grocery stores (including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable, seafood and other food retailers)
• kiosks and other small food and drink premises
• petrol stations
• liquor stores
• chemists providing health, medical, maternity and baby supplies
• banks and financial institutions
• hardware, building supplies
• landscaping material supplies
• agricultural and rural supplies
• pet supplies
• post offices and newsagents
• office supplies
• garden centres and plant nurseries
• vehicle hire premises, not including the premises at which vehicles are sold;
• shops that predominantly carry out repairs of mobile phones.

Updated at 11:42am AEST on 19 July 2021.

AMA urges NSW Government to order stricter lockdowns

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called on the NSW Government to review limits on how far people can travel from home and shut down all non-essential retail outlets and services until the COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak is under control.

AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid says the NSW Government cannot wait any longer.

"The prospect of a significant escalation of case numbers remains real, with regional areas at risk," Khorshid says.

"The latest COVID-19 infection numbers in Greater Sydney show while the virus is not escalating out of control, current restrictions are not strong enough to bring overall infection numbers down any time soon.

"Rising unlinked cases and people infectious in the community show we are not ahead of this outbreak. This means there is no end to the lockdown in sight and more needs to be done."

He says telling the community not to browse the shops is not enough.

"Allowing non-essential retail stores to remain open not only sends the wrong message to the public, but it also increases the risk of transmission. This is despite the reality that people can access many of the products online," the AMA president says.

"A range of non-essential workplaces also remain open, which we know from the Victorian experience last year needed to be closed or operated under strict limits in order for its outbreak to be brought under control.

"There is confusion about what is considered essential and non-essential, and the AMA believes it is time for NSW to follow the Victorian approach which gives a clear definition for the public and the business community."

Khorshid explains while the AMA appreciate just how hard things are for people living in Greater Sydney, more delay will simply make things much worse and impose a much bigger toll on the community.

"With the announcement of additional support for workers and businesses, there is no excuse for further hesitation or delay," he says.

NSW AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen says the AMA welcomed the NSW Government decision on 9 July to further tighten COVID-19 restrictions for people living in Greater Sydney, however, the data shows restrictions are not having the necessary impact.

"An alarming number of new cases each day appear to have been in the community throughout their infectious period - potentially spreading the virus to friends, family, colleagues and other people in the community," she says.

"With infection numbers remaining stubbornly high, Sydney is facing the increasing prospect of a long and protracted lockdown and the growing risk of the virus spreading to regional areas.

"At the moment when people need to leave home to exercise or go shopping, they are allowed to travel 10km, we believe 5km would be a more effective restriction."

Updated at 3:17pm AEST on 16 July 2021.

WA reinstates hard border with Victoria

Western Australia is following South Australia's lead today with the announcement of a hard border to Victoria that will be effective from midnight tonight, as the now locked-down state is set to join New South Wales and Queensland as a 'medium risk' jurisdiction.

The move represents a rapid escalation since Wednesday when WA lifted Victoria's status from 'very low risk' to 'low risk', which has allowed for arrivals so long as they undertake 14 days of self-quarantine and get tested for COVID-19 on arrival.

But as of 12:01am tomorrow nobody who has been in Victoria in the past two weeks will be allowed in, except for those who secure exemptions such as government officials, military personnel, members of the Commonwealth Parliament, state emergency coordinators and others.

The WA Government has urged residents who have been to Victoria recently to return home now and complete the two-week self-quarantine period.

Anyone who is in WA but has been to Victoria recently will also be asked to monitor the Victorian Health website for updated exposure locations.

"The escalating situation on the east coast is very concerning and our thoughts are with NSW and Victoria as they try to bring the growing Delta outbreak under control," says Acting Premier Stephen Dawson.

"WA's hard border is vital to protect Western Australians from the spread of COVID-19 from other jurisdictions.

"I appreciate these new border arrangements may cause inconvenience but we need to do everything necessary to protect the health of Western Australians."

The announcement comes as South Australia set up a hard border to its Victorian neighbours overnight, along with several other new restrictions for South Australians such as stricter density limits, mask requirements in indoor venues with more than 50 per cent of normal occupancy, and bans on dancing as well as the on-site purchase and consumption of shisha.

Updated at 12:45pm AWST on 16 July 2021.

Victoria slates business support package with automatic payments

The Victorian Government will provide more than $200 million in assistance to businesses affected by the current lockdown, including automatic payments to some 86,000 businesses that were already registered during the last lockdown.

"If you got a grant last time, you'll get a grant this time," Premier Daniel Andrews says.

The Premier expects those automated payments will be made almost certainly before the end of this lockdown or early next week.

"It will be then a matter for your bank and your financial institution as to whether that money flows to you overnight or over a longer period," he says.

"We're wasting no time with that. That sense of shared effort is part of the partnership with the Commonwealth Government," he adds, in reference to a support package funded by both the Federal and State Governments to provide COVID disaster support payments to affected workers. 

Minister for Industry, Support and Recovery, Martin Pakula, says the package follows on from the Business Cost Assistance Program and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund from the last lockdown in June.

"That was a $460 million package of which we've now paid out $413-414 million to 86,000 businesses," Pakula says.

"Every one of those businesses will receive an automatic top-up - $3,000 under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and $2,000 under the Business Cost Assistance Program.

"The events package that we announced still has capacity in it, so any events that are affected over this weekend, they'll be eligible to make application under that package as well."

Caps will also be increased for the Alpine resorts support package.

"I should also make the point that there are some 22-odd thousand businesses whose applications are still being processed because more details are being sought. Not every application is as simple and as straightforward as every other," Minister Pakula clarifies.

"We would expect those all to be resolved early next week. But they revolve around things like ABN details not being consistent with what's on the record and zip codes and things of the like.

"Some of the more complex cases are still being resolved, so that will ultimately increase the number of businesses paid out under the last scheme and consequently will increase the number of businesses that receive an automatic payment under this scheme."

That a support package was incoming was already flagged in yesterday's lockdown announcement, and in the 24 hours to midnight there were 10 new cases, taking the number of active cases to 36 of which 24 have an established link to the Sydney outbreak.

There are currently 126 exposure sites listed in Victoria.

Updated at 12:47pm AEST on 16 July 2021.

NSW reports 97 new cases, with 29 infectious in the community

New South Wales has announced 97 new COVID-19 cases of community transmission, including 29 who were in infectious for all of the time they were in the community.

Approximately three quarters of all active cases are coming from the Fairfield local government area (LGA), where greater concern of COVID-19 transmission is ongoing.

In terms of new cases, two-thirds are in Southwestern Sydney, while numbers are still high in Southeastern and Western Sydney at 14 and 9 respectively. 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has thanked the community for their swift action after a large turnout of people going to get tested.

"Yesterday we saw 77,500 tests which is outstanding, many of those from Southwest Sydney so thank you to community members there."

The Premier is also urging people to get tested if they know of anyone in their extended circle who has the virus, as authorities are seeing asymptomatic cases. 

In total, 75 COVID-19 patients are currently in hospital. Of those, 11 are aged under 35 and 18 people remain in ICU. Five are on ventilators. 

Updated at 11:44am AEST on 16 July 2021.