There has been a lot of coronavirus news across Australia in the last 24 hours. If you can’t keep up with every press conference, restriction or announcement, don’t stress. This article has the most current updates.
NSW:
NSW recorded 65 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Of these locally acquired cases, 40 are linked to a known case or cluster – 27 are household contacts and 13 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 25 cases remains under investigation.
29 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and seven cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. 28 cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of one case remains under investigation.
Two major Sydney hospitals have been impacted by coronavirus, with health authorities confirming a fully vaccinated staff member at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital has tested positive to COVID-19.
Sydney’s Liverpool Hospital was also forced to close some of its operating theatres for deep cleaning after a patient returned a positive test on Wednesday.
A number of staff have gone into a two-week isolation, and contact tracing is underway.
Victoria:
Victorians must wear face masks indoors as health authorities try to stop the latest COVID-19 outbreak.
Victoria announced 11 new local cases on Wednesday, with 10 of those being counted in Thursday’s statistics, and more than 40 exposure sites identified.
The state did not add to those 10 new cases on Thursday.
Face masks must now be worn in all indoor settings, including workplaces and secondary schools. Masks will also be required outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Queensland:
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has confirmed three new local cases in Brisbane.
One is a 12-year-old who recently finished quarantine in Sydney and flew to Brisbane, and another is the child’s parent.
The third is a Brisbane Airport worker who was vaccinated.
Mask mandates and restrictions in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan City, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Gold Coast are extended for another week.
The Premier has warned Queenslanders against travelling to Victoria given its current outbreaks.
Authorities are also still monitoring the outbreak in New South Wales, and say possible border restrictions are being reviewed daily.
South Australia:
People entering South Australia from Victoria will now have to get tested on arrival, and are banned from attending high-risk locations such as aged care homes for 14 days.
Commercial transport and freight drivers entering South Australia are now required to get a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival.
Freight drivers coming into the state will need to produce evidence they have had a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of their arrival.
Western Australia:
Western Australia enforced new restrictions on travellers from Victoria on Wednesday afternoon. Those arriving from Victoria must now self-quarantine for 14 days. They must get a COVID-19 test when they arrive, and on day 11 of quarantine.
Northern Territory:
The Northern Territory Chief Health Officer has not announced any new COVID restrictions for Victoria, but he has warned he is closely monitoring the state’s growing number of cases.
New directions were issued on Wednesday night for anyone who has been to an exposure site in the town of Tailem Bend, south-east of Adelaide. Anyone who has been there must get tested and quarantine for 14 days.
Travellers from Victoria are still under quarantine and testing directions that were issued last month.
ACT:
ACT residents will have to check in to shops, takeaways and other venues from 12:00pm using the Check In CBR app. This will be mandatory for anyone over the age of 16.
Check-ins will be required for all retail settings, including supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, takeaway services, public transport and taxi, hire car and ride share transport services.
Previously, people needed to check in if they were going to be somewhere for longer than 15 minutes, but that condition has been removed.
Source: ABC News.
