Looking at the COVID situation in two Australian states. RNZI
NSW premier outlines roadmap as 787 new community cases, 12 deaths announced
NSW's restrictions will ease next month as the state has recorded 787 new community cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday.
Twelve people with Covid-19 died in the reporting period.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 85 percent of people had received their first vaccine dose and 60 percent of people aged over 16 in the state were now fully inoculated.
At a media briefing today, Berejiklian confirmed 11 October as the date lockdown restrictions will start easing in the state.
She said that once 80 percent of adults are fully vaccinated, which is estimated to be about 25 October, people would be able to travel freely throughout NSW.
Restrictions will also be removed for fully vaccinated people attending weddings, funerals and hairdressers.
Unvaccinated people will only be allowed to attend places of worship.
People will also be able to have a drink at a pub.
A third stage has been set for 1 December, when it's expected the state will have reached 90 percent double-dose vaccination, the premier said.
On that date, unvaccinated people will be subject to the same rules as those who have been vaccinated.
Masks will no longer be required indoors, and nightclubs will re-open.
Covid-19: Victoria records 950 community cases, seven deaths
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Victoria has recorded 950 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 and seven further deaths.
The new infections were detected from 61,322 test results processed on Tuesday, and brings the number of active cases in the state to 9890.
There were 34,028 vaccines administered at state-run sites yesterday, with the total number including GPs and pharmacies to be confirmed later today.
It was expected the state would yesterday hit a target of having 80 percent of the 16+ population protected with at least one dose of a vaccine. Nearly half of that cohort has had both doses.
As a result, there has been a mild easing of restrictions across the state, with the travel radius in locked-down Melbourne and Mitchell Shire increasing from 10km to 15km and the reopening of tennis courts and golf courses.
The City of Latrobe in Gippsland has been suddenly moved to the same settings, after a snap seven-day lockdown was called late yesterday in response to a growing number of cases across at least three towns.
The rest of regional Victoria will be allowed to have slightly more people in hospitality venues, and masks can be removed for beauty and hairdressing services if required.
Victoria's emergency phone service is being inundated with calls amid the rise in Covid-19 cases. The Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) which runs the state's triple-0 services received 3250 calls for help on Monday.
That figure represented its highest number of calls on a single day since it received 3452 requests for help when unique weather conditions triggered asthma in thousands of Victorians and led to 10 deaths.
"We are regularly seeing unprecedented numbers of calls now," ESTA chief executive Marty Smyth said.
"Levels which before Covid-19 were seen only on busy weekends are now almost a daily occurrence."
Source. Radio New Zealand.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
