Friday 24 December 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Delta & Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, December 2021- Part Five

 

Following on from:

SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, 1-11 December 2021,

SARS-CoV-2 Delta & Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, December 2021 - Part Two

SARS-CoV-2 Delta & Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, December 2021 - Part Three and

SARS-CoV-2 Delta & Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, December 2021 - Part Four.


NSW Health, Northern NSW Local Health District & Critical Intelligence Unit, media release excerpts and datasets, COVID-19 data for Monday 20 December to Tuesday 22 December 2021:


# NSW recorded 3,057 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday 20 December 2021, including 2 deaths.


There are currently 284 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 39 people in intensive care, 11 of whom require ventilation. The NSW public hospital system official stress level remains at RED.


  • Of the 3,057 cases reported to 8pm last night, 820 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 525 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 386 are from Western Sydney LHD, 378 are from Sydney LHD, 346 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 268 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 85 are from Central Coast LHD, 82 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 48 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 26 are from Northern NSW LHD, 24 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 17 are from Western NSW LHD, six are from Southern NSW LHD, two are from Murrumbidgee LHD, and 44 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [my yellow highlighting]


To 8pm 20 December, 34 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 3 of the 7 local government areas of Northern NSW:

The following postcode list may be incomplete

Byron Shire17 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483,

Ballina Shire5 cases across postcodes 2478,

Lismore City4 cases across postcodes 2480,

Tweed Shire0 cases across

Clarence Valley0 case

Kyogle Shire – 0 cases

Richmond Valley – 0 cases

TOTAL 26


On 20 December there were 5 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with none in an Intensive Care Unit.


To place growing numbers being reported into a local perspective as to degree COVID-19 has begun to penetrate Northern NSW: the total confirmed COVID-19 cases for every 10,000 people in the population of our 7 local government areas as 18 December 2021, according to https://www.covid19data.com.au/nsw-lgas-cases:


  • Byron Shire 85.8
  • Kyogle Shire – 27.3
  • Ballina Shire – 19.9
  • Lismore City18.5
  • Clarence Valley 14.5
  • Richmond Valley 13.6
  • Tweed Shire – 6.2


The New South Wales count on 20 December 2021 brings the cumulative total of COVID-19 infections in the state since the January 2020 start of the pandemic to 102,884 men, women and children.


Of these confirmed infections, est. 95 % or 97,447 cases were contracted since the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant entered New South Wales. The COVID-19 related death toll stands at 647 individuals, with 91% of those deaths occurring since 16 June 2021.


According to the Australian Dept. of Health’s frequently tardy Epidemiology Reports, during 2021 there has been an increase in the number of cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in Australia. By 5 December a total of 24,153 samples of Delta (B.1.617.2); 515 samples of Alpha (B.1.1.7); 84 samples of Beta (B.1.351); 12 samples of Omicron (B.1.1.529) and six samples of Gamma (P.1) had been recorded.


An est. 290 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern had been identified in New South Wales in federal data, by 20 December 2021.


As yet there is no firm percentage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant infections in NSW since that variant entered the state on or about 27 November 2021and, NSW Health stated that it had ceased initial genomic sequencing tests for Omicron as of 17 December 2021 and would assume that all future positive COVID-19 tests were the result of Omicron Variant infections. 


As of 20 December 2021 the Dept. of Health, States and Territories Report stated that there were currently 30,155 COVID-19 active cases Australia-wide and 16,225 active cases in NSW. To date the majority of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Australia are due to community transmission.





Between Friday night 17 December to Monday 20 December 2021 at both public and private testing facilities across NSW more than 426,000 people have queued to be tested, with more than 8,000 new positive cases recorded in the past three days.

# NSW recorded 3,763 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Tuesday 21 December 2021, including 2 deaths.

There are currently 302 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 40 people in intensive care, 12 of whom require ventilation.

Currently there are 8,356 COVID-19 cases being cared for outside a hospital setting.


The viral reproduction factor stood at 1.24 on 21 December and total active cases had reached 21, 991 persons. If that factor stands it is possible total daily cases numbers will double every 3.2 days.


  • Of the 3,763 cases reported to 8pm last night, 834 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 623 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 554 are from Sydney LHD, 456 are from Western Sydney LHD, 423 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 420 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 110 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 99 are from Central Coast LHD, 71 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 48 are from Northern NSW LHD, 40 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 39 are from Western NSW LHD, 17 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, six are from Southern NSW LHD, one is from Far West LHD and 22 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [my yellow highlighting]


To 8pm 21 December, 48 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 5 of the 7 local government areas of Northern NSW:


  • Byron Shire27 cases across postcodes 2481, 2482, 2483;

  • Lismore City8 cases across postcode 2480;

  • Ballina Shire6 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478, 2479;

  • Tweed Shire6 cases across postcodes 2484, 2486, 2487;

  • Clarence Valley1 case in postcode 2460;

  • Kyogle Shire – 0 cases;

  • Richmond Valley – 0 cases.

TOTAL 48


There are 5 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 1 of these in ICU.

 

A total of 1,364 healthcare workers are currently furloughed due to COVID-19 infection or exposure to the virus and, there is also some indication that NSW public health employees are taking leave of absence/terminating their employment at a higher than normal rate this month.


On 22 December 2021 the federal chief medical officer stated; more than 500 cases of Omicron had been confirmed in Australia so far though genomic testing…..one person was in intensive care with the Omicron variant”.




# NSW recorded 5,715 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday 22 December 2021, including 1 death.

There are currently 347 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 45 people in intensive care, 13 of whom require ventilation.


  • Of the 5,715 cases reported to 8pm last night, 1,186 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 976 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 841 are from Sydney LHD, 703 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 691 are from Western Sydney LHD, 514 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 199 are from Central Coast LHD, 136 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 123 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 102 are from Northern NSW LHD, 65 are from Western NSW LHD, 60 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 23 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 15 are from Southern NSW LHD, five are from Far West LHD, one is from a correctional setting and 75 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [my yellow highlighting]


This week to date there have been 21,503 reported new cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales. That is an increase of 14,914 cases on last week's total.


The total number of actives cases within the state is est. 27,093 persons as of 22 December and Australia-wide active cases are currently estimated at over 37,206 persons.


To 8pm 22 December, 102 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 6 of the 7 local government areas of Northern NSW:


  • Byron Shire59 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

  • Lismore City15 cases across postcode 2480;

  • Ballina Shire9 cases across postcode 2478;

  • Tweed Shire10 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489;

  • Clarence Valley8 case across postcodes 2460, 2464;

  • Richmond Valley1 case possibly in postcode 2470;

  • Kyogle Shire – 0 cases.

TOTAL 102


There are 6 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 1 of these in an intensive care unit.


ABC News, 23 December 2021:


Masking wearing indoors will become mandatory in NSW from midnight tonight as the state government reintroduces restrictions to curb the Omicron wave.


Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced density limits of one person per 2 square metres for hospitality venues would also be reinstated from December 27, while QR code measures will be "back in a limited way".


The mask and density rules will be in place until January 27.


The wearing of masks indoors and the use of QR code check-ins were largely scrapped on December 15 but the state has seen a big increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.


Mr Perrottet said QR codes would be reintroduced in hospitality and retail settings.


He said the changes were "modest" and would relieve the strain on a health system decimated by the loss of 1,500 staff members who were unwell or isolating…..


Mr Perrottet also said the government was looking to roll out a program to distribute free rapid antigen tests as part of a plan to move away from PCR tests.


He said the health and finance ministers had been tasked to devise a model similar to the one used in the UK, which he hoped would begin in early 2022.


"It would make sense from our end that those rapid antigen tests could be made available at our vaccination centres, pharmacists and GPs, so making it as easy as possible," he said…..


Official acknowledgement that NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his senior ministers blundered when they continued down the path of discounting or ignoring medical advice won't be forthcoming. This is the nearest the people of New South Wales will come to such an acknowledgement...... 


NSW Health, 23 December 2021:


The following adjustments will come into effect:


  • Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including for hospitality staff and in offices, unless eating or drinking from 12.01am Friday, 24 December


  • QR code check-ins will be compulsory, including for hospitality and retail from 12.01am Monday, 27 December 2021


  • Hospitality venues, including pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes will move to 1 person per 2 sqm rule indoors, with no density limit for outdoor settings from 12.01am Monday, 27 December 2021


  • All settings will remain in place until Wednesday, 27 January 2022. QR check-in requirements are a reminder that if you receive a notification you should get tested if you feel unwell. You should also get tested if directed by NSW Health or if you have symptoms.


  • Reduce mingling where you can including when eating and drinking, work from home where possible and hold events outside.


  • Rapid-Antigen Test kits will soon be made available for free across the State as an additional testing option and to allow those who need to get a PCR test to do so.


UPDATE


# NSW recorded 5,612 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday 23 December 2021, including 1 death.


There are currently 382 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 53 people in intensive care, 12 of whom require ventilation.


There were 32,174 active COVID-19 cases in New South Wales as of 23 December 2021 and 43,964 active cases Australia-wide. This time last year Australia only had a total of 146 confirmed COVID-19 active cases. Under the Morrison Government Australia has spent the last twelve months going backwards in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic.


  • Of the 5,612 cases reported to 8pm last night, 1,218 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 862 are from Sydney LHD, 780 are from Western Sydney LHD, 641 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 605 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 592 are from Hunter New England LHD, 175 are from Central Coast LHD, 170 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 133 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 112 are from Northern NSW LHD, 88 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 45 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 37 are from Western NSW LHD, 17 are from Southern NSW LHD, seven are from Far West NSW LHD, one is in a correctional setting and 129 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [my yellow highlighting]


To 8pm 23 December, 112 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in all 7 of the local government areas of Northern NSW:


  • Byron Shire68 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

  • Tweed Shire – 17 cases in postcodes 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2489;

  • Ballina Shire12 cases across postcode 2477, 2478, 2479;

  • Clarence Valley – 7 cases across postcodes 2460, 2464, 2466;

  • Lismore City6 cases across postcode 2480;

  • Richmond Valley1 case in postcode 2469;

  • Kyogle Shire1 case in postcode 2474.

TOTAL 112


In Northern NSW a total of 7 COVID-19 cases are being treated in hospital, with 1 of them in an intensive care unit.


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