Monday 2 August 2021

COVID-19 State of Play in New South Wales, from 1 August to 31 August 2021 - running sheet

 


DAY 47: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Sunday 1 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 3,634 people - inclusive of 15 deaths. There are currently 232 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 54 people in intensive care, 25 of whom require ventilation.


Note: From Day 46 (31 July 2021) NSW Health began to regularly reduce the total number of previously confirmed COVID-19 cases with the explanation; "previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation". This affects the daily record of the total cumulative count of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in January 2020.


The latest COVID-19 Weekly Surveillance Report - Week Ending 17 July 2021 (released on 2 August 2021) showed that between 19 June and 17 July 2021, 100% of the 788 locally acquired COVID-19 infections genome sequenced were the Delta variant of concern. For overseas-acquired infection, 48% or 33 out of 69 cases sequenced were COVID-19 variants of concern. Not all of case samples can be sequenced.


According to Mike Honeyas of 1 August 2021 an est. 15.3% of the total New South Wales population are fully vaccinated and 19.1% of the adult population are fully vaccinated. The vaccines in use to date were developed in the pre-variant period.


Australian Dept. of Health data reveals that, in New South Wales on 1 August 2021 the age breakdown of those fully vaccinated were:

  • 19.8% of individuals aged 16-49 years;
  • 28.16% of individuals aged 50-69 years; and 
  • 42.46% of individuals aged 70 years and older. 
[https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/australias-covid-19-vaccine-rollout#doses-by-age-and-sex]



DAY 48: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Monday 2 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 3,832 people - inclusive of 15 deaths. There are currently 250 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 53 people in intensive care, 20 of whom require ventilation.




DAY 49: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Tuesday 3 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 4,063 people - inclusive of 16 deathsThere are currently 286 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 53 people in intensive care, 23 of whom require ventilation.


A man in his 20s from south-west Sydney died at his home on 3 August 2021. He was a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was isolating at home. His death has been referred to the NSW Coroner. This death does not appear to have been added to the official Delta Variant Outbreak death toll as yet.




DAY 50: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Wednesday 4 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 4,319 people - inclusive of 21 deathsThere are currently 290 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 51 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation.


Total NSW COVID-19 deaths since 25 January 2020 now stands at 78 deaths.


To protect the people of regional NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock from 5pm on 5 August 2021 until 12.01am Friday 13 August.


Two schools, in the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie areas of the state. have now been closed in the last 24 hours after three siblings tested positive for COVID-19.




DAY 51: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Thursday 5 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 4,610 people - inclusive of 22 deathsThere are currently 304 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 50 people in intensive care, 22 of whom require ventilation.




DAY 52: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Friday 6 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 4,929 people - inclusive of 27 deathsThere are currently 345 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 56 people in intensive care, 23 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 319 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on 6 August 2021 - a record daily number.




DAY 53: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Saturday 7 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 5,169 people - inclusive of 28 deathsThere are currently 362 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 58 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation


As of 7 August 2021 est. 33 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths in New South Wales have occurred since 16 June 2021 when the Delta Variant Outbreak began.


An unconfirmed report of a man travelling from a lockdown area on the Gold Coast Qld to the NSW Northern Rivers region, visiting Nimbin, Lismore, Casino, Byron Bay, Ballina and other places over the space of at least five to eight days. He was admitted by ambulance to Byron hospital before being transferred to Lismore Base Hospital.



Note: The man did not in fact cross the border into Queensland.



DAY 54: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Sunday 8 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 5,452 people - inclusive of 29 deathsThere are currently 349 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 67 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation


On  9 August 2021 NSW Health announced that Tamworth local government area in regional NSW would go into COVID-19 lockdown from 5pm that day. As a precaution everybody who is in the following local government areas should immediately isolate and have a COVID-19 test if they have even the mildest of symptoms: Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Tweed, Lismore, Kyogle and Ballina.


Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina Shire LGAs will lock down from 6:00pm 9 August until 12:01am on August 17. The lockdown affects anyone who has been in these areas on or after July 31.



DAY 55: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Monday 9 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 5,805 people - inclusive of 32 deaths. An additional death occurred in this 24 hour period where the infection was caught while overseas. There are currently 357 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 60 people in intensive care, 28 of whom require ventilation


As of 8pm 9 August 2021 NSW Health has recorded only a total of 657,901 state residents are fully vaccinated with either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine. In an estimated state population of  8,172,500 men, women and children, this represents only 8% of those living in New South Wales.



DAY 56: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Tuesday 10 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 6,149 people - inclusive of 34 deathsThere are currently 374 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 62 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation


Uncorrected Hansard, excerpts of 10 August 2021 evidence before the New South Wales Legislative Council Public Accountability Committee of Dr. KERRY CHANT, Chief Health Officer, and Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health, NSW Health, on former oath.


The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: We are looking for the precise date. The nature in which the advice was provided, we will ask you about a bit later, but we are specifically asking for the date—two dates really—on which your public health team started to prepare for the need to lock down parts of Sydney and on what date you informed the Health Minister of the need to do this?


Dr CHANT: There was a progressive range of restrictions put in place and on the twenty-fifth [June] we briefed—we acted quickly. There were already preparatory orders that had been previous orders that formed the basis of the stay-at-home restrictions. On that day, the Government responded to our initial request for lockdown of the Waverley, Woollahra, Randwick, City of Sydney and then quickly the escalating nature justified locking down the remainder of Greater Sydney. The lockdown did have effect in bringing the disease under control in south-eastern Sydney quite quickly. Unfortunately, it was unknown at the time that there was not containment of the West Hoxton party.

Obviously more investigations will be done, genomic sequencing, and I have to apologise to the Committee that I have not had the opportunity to go back and look at all of that. But there is concern that there was leakage at that point that was not recognised at the time and then that led to establishment in south-western Sydney. The lockdown was less effective in south-western Sydney because of the lower testing rates and the impacted community needed to be engaged with. There were a number of challenges in seeing the same effect that we were seeing in south-eastern Sydney in that area. There has been a range of strategies put in place to work cooperatively with the local communities to see the impact of the lockdown.....


Dr CHANT: Consistently public health has indicated the risk of seeding regionally and we have done a lot of work to prevent that. So there are requirements around testing for people who are going to the regions. We have certainly been doing a lot of messaging and we have been looking at opportunities to provide feedback on elements where the orders can be strengthened or clarified. As the Minister has said, we are actually asking people to not try and look for loopholes in the orders but rather to comply with the intent. We also were aware that our regional communities require critical health workers, other critical infrastructure workers—.....


Dr CHANT: At every step of the way we looked at the exposures, whether there were direct linkages, what were the risks, and made those decisions about the actions that needed to be put in place. Obviously with looking back there was a chain of transmission that was not detected and that was also playing into the mind that we needed to lock down. So all I can say is that we were looking closely at the information available, working with our public health networks and provided advice to government on a range of strategies. As I said, the outbreak was actually brought under control in south-eastern Sydney. It was really around when it got introduced into south-western Sydney that we saw the escalating case numbers. To be fair, it needed a different response in south-western Sydney and there is a lot of focus on supporting communities in south-western Sydney and understanding the disease…..


Dr CHANT: The information was based on the best available evidence at the time. Clearly the disease was not—initially they were very linked cases and then other controls were put in place. Clearly the lockdown was recommended and enacted, and we did have success in bringing the cases down. It was a seeding event into western Sydney that led to those—....


Dr CHANT: —West Hoxton, which was not recognised at the time. It was thought that cluster had actually been identified very early but there were issues around containment of that which were not appreciated. Obviously, with the benefit of hindsight, there are different decisions that can be made, but just be reassured that we were looking very closely at all elements of the response in terms of the recommendations to government about the controls at the time…… [my yellow highlighting]



UPDATE: Sometime after 9 August 2021 NSW Data updated its NSW COVID-19 cases by location and likely source of infection web page to include a 10 August 2021 confirmed locally acquired COVID-19 infection case in Postcode 2464 in the Clarence Valley. This postcode includes Freeburn Island, Yamba, Micalo Island, WooloweyahAngourie and Yuragir.


IMAGE: Data NSW










Note: The highlighted entry in the data table above does not appear to represent the individual's current residential address at the time of diagnosis -  it is likely that the individual while infectious resided in Greater Sydney.



DAY 57: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Wednesday 11 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 6,491 people - inclusive of 36 deathsThere are currently 374 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 62 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation


The number of COVID-19 deaths which have occurred in NSW from the start of the Delta Variant Outbreak 16 June through to 11 August 2021 represent 38.70 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths in the state since the pandemic began in January 2020.


On 11 August 2021 Northern NSW Local Health District released a statement which read in part:


Northern NSW Local Health District has been notified of new venues of concern and updated information for close-contact venues in the region.


Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.


NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close contact venues with further information. We also make a follow-up call to close contacts to discuss the isolation and testing requirements. If you have not received a text message, please call 1800 943 553.


Site Address Suburb Date Time

Harvest Newrybar Village 18, 22 Old Pacific Hwy Newrybar Sunday

1 August 2021 7:30-7:45am


Foodworks Shop 2/2 Byron St Bangalow Monday

2 August 2021 9:45 – 11:15am


Byron Massage Clinic 6/4 Bay Ln Byron Bay Monday

2 August 2021 10am – 11am removed from list as NSW Health 

added this venue in error


Westpac ATM 73 Jonson St Byron Bay Tuesday

3 August 2021 1:30 – 1:45pm


Success Thai Food 3/31 Lawson St Byron Bay Tuesday

3 August 2021 1:15 – 1:45pm


Woolworths Byron Bay 106 Jonson St Byron Bay Wednesday

4 August 2021 2:30 – 4:00pm


Byron Bay General Store 26 Bangalow Rd Byron Bay Wednesday

4 August 2021 7:45 – 8:15am


Byron Massage Clinic 6/4 Bay Ln Byron Bay Wednesday

4 August 2021 10:45am -12pm removed from list as NSW Health 

added this venue in error


Bangalow Pharmacy 23 Byron Street Bangalow Thursday

5 August 2021 11am – 11:30am


Butcher Baker Cafe 13 Byron St Bangalow Thursday

5 August 2021 11:15 – 11:45am


Sparrow Coffee 1A/32-34 Byron St Bangalow Thursday

5 August 2021 6:45 – 7:15am


Bangalow Pharmacy 23 Byron Street Bangalow Friday

6 August 2021 11- 11:30am


Izakaya Gallery KURA 8/4 Bay Lane Byron Bay Friday

6 August 2021 5:30 – 6pm


Success Thai Foods 3/31 Lawson St Byron Bay Friday

6 August 2021 4:45 – 5:15pm


Harvest Cafe Village 18, 22 Old Pacific Hwy Newrybar Saturday

7 August 2021 9:15 – 10:15am


Woolworths 106 Jonson St Byron Bay Saturday

7 August 2021 12:45 – 1:45pm


ZAZA Kebabs 8/4 Jonson St Byron Bay Saturday

7 August 2021 12 – 12:30pm


Ampol Service Station 76/78 Shirley St Byron Bay Saturday

7 August 2021 11:45 – 12:15pm


OZIGO Carwash Bayshore Dr Byron Bay Saturday

7 August 2021 11:30am -12pm


Japonaise Kitchen 2/25-27 Lawson St Byron Bay Saturday

7 August 2021 4:30 – 5.00pm


If you are directed to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.


NSW Health does not disclose details about venues of concern unless there is a public health reason...... [my yellow highlighting]


Update to NSW Health Venues of Concern:


Byron Massage 31 Lawson Street Byron Bay Monday,

2 August 2021 10am – 11am


Byron Massage 31 Lawson Street Byron Bay Wednesday,

4 August 2021 10:45am -12pm




Age range of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW from 2 July to 11 August 2021


Image: Data NSW



















DAY 58: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Thursday 12 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 6,874 people - inclusive of 38 deathsThere are currently 391 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 63 people in intensive care, 30 of whom require ventilation



DAY 59: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Friday 13 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 7,337 people - inclusive of 43 deathsThere are currently 378 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 64 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation


In the first 13 days of August 2021 in New South Wales, another 3,634 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infections and, sadly 30 more people have died.




DAY 60: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Saturday 14 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 7,745 people - inclusive of 48 deathsThere are currently 381 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 62 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation



DAY 61: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Sunday 15 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 8,218 people - inclusive of 56 deathsThere are currently 391 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 56 people in intensive care, 28 of whom require ventilation


In the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday night NSW Health recorded 478 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.


As of 15 August 2021 none of the historical NSW COVID-19 cases with home addresses officially listed in the Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore or Richmond local government areas remain active. One COVID-19 case with a home address listed in Clarence Valley local government area remains active, however that person is believed to have contracted the infection in the Sydney region and has remained there ever since according to NSW Health.



DAY 62: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Monday 16 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 8,654 people - inclusive of 57 deathsThere are currently 447 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 69 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation


In the 24 hours to 8pm Monday night NSW Health recorded 478 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.



DAY 63: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Tuesday 17 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 9,230 people - inclusive of 60 deathsThere are currently 462 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 77 people in intensive care, 25 of whom require ventilation


In the 24 hours to 8pm Tuesday night NSW Health recorded 633 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.



DAY 64: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Wednesday 18 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 9,950 people - inclusive of 61 deathsThere are currently 474 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 82 people in intensive care, 25 of whom require ventilation


In the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday night NSW Health recorded 681 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.



DAY 65: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Thursday 19 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 10,582 people - inclusive of 65 deathsThere are currently 470 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 80 people in intensive care, 27 of whom require ventilation


In the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday night NSW Health recorded 644 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.


To date 53.71% of all NSW deaths with a COVVID-19 diagnosis since January 2020 have occurred during the Delta Variant Outbreak.



NSW Health, media release, 20 August 2021:


Permits for travel to regional NSW


A permit system for some travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW will take effect from 12.01am on Saturday 21 August.


Under the updated public health order, the following people traveling from Greater Sydney to regional NSW require a permit:


  • anyone from Greater Sydney (including authorised workers from the LGAs of concern) who needs to travel more than 50km from Greater Sydney for work purposes, noting the existing requirement for such workers to have had a COVID test in the previous seven days

  • people travelling to a second home outside Greater Sydney. This is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or if the home requires urgent maintenance and repairs (if so, only one person may travel there)

  • people inspecting a potential new residence, but only if they have a genuine intention to relocate as soon as practicable (no investment properties)

  • people who are permanently relocating.


For the purposes of this public health order and permit, Greater Sydney will no longer include Shellharbour and the Central Coast. People travelling to Shellharbour and the Central Coast for the above reasons will require a permit to do so.


Taking a holiday to a second residence is not a reasonable excuse to leave home.


Permit applications will be made available on the Service NSW website.


People are permitted to leave their homes to facilitate custody arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children under the age of 18 who do not live in the same household.


Due to ongoing concerns about community transmission in some regional areas, stay-at-home orders in place for regional NSW have been extended until 12.01am on 28 August 2021, in line with orders for the Greater Sydney area.


Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. They cannot have any visitors in their home from outside their household......




DAY 66: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Friday 20 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 11,395 people - inclusive of 68 deathsThere are currently 516 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 85 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 825 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


UPDATE: On Friday 20 August 2021 between 5am-5.30an and 8am-8.30am a truck driver took pitstops at the BP Travel Centre at 41 Bruxner Highway, West Ballina. Sometime within the next two days he tested positive for COVID-19.



DAY 67: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Saturday 21 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 12,217 people - inclusive of 71 deathsThere are currently 557 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 94 people in intensive care, 31 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 830 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.



DAY 68: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Sunday 22 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 13,022 people - inclusive of 74 deathsThere are currently 557 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 94 people in intensive care, 31 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 818 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


The total number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in NSW by 22 August 2021 is now 6,019,355 doses

Nationally on that date, the number of vaccines administered to people 16 years of age and older was 17,440,596 doses, with 6,240,640 people fully vaccinated in a total national population of est. 25.8 million men, women, and children


No national data is available for children under 16 years of age as they are not eligible to receive a vaccine under the National COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout.




DAY 69: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Monday 23 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 13,765 people - inclusive of 74 deathsThere are currently 608 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 107 people in intensive care, 34 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 753 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


Of the 753 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night:

283 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD); 

233 are from South Western Sydney LHD

73 are from Sydney LHD

41 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD; 

36 are from Western NSW;

36 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD; 

19 are from Northern Sydney LHD; 

14 are from Far West LHD; 

3 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD;

3 are from Central Coast LHD

1 is from Hunter New England LHD; and 

11 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.



DAY 70: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Tuesday 24 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 14,673 people - inclusive of 76 deathsThere are currently 645 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 113 people in intensive care, 40 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 919 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


The deaths to date so far during the Delta Variant Outbreak represent 57.57% of all NSW deaths with a COVID-19 diagnosis since the pandemic first entered Australia in January 2020.


It was announced on 24 August that a woman in her 30s with a COVID-19 diagnosis from western Sydney died at home. Her death is being investigated by the coroner. She brings the number of people who are known have died at home during the NSW Delta Variant outbreak to three. The other two were a 27 year old man and a woman in her 50s.



DAY 71: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Wednesday 25 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 15,684 people - inclusive of 79 deathsThere are currently 698 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 116 people in intensive care, 44 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 1,029 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


NSW Health reported that 3 men in western Sydney died in their homes – a man in his 30s, a man in his 60s, and a man in his 80s. It is now admitted by authorities  that the number of people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who have died at home since the Delta Variant Outbreak began has now reached 8 individuals


The regional NSW lockdown has been extended to 13 September 2021.


Day 71 (25 August 2021) of the NSW Delta Variant Outbreak was the last day NSW Health's published daily COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics included the number of new locally acquired COVID-19 cases who were in isolation throughout their infectious period, were in isolation for part of their infectious period, were infectious in the community, and the number whose isolation status of remained under investigation.



DAY 72: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Thursday 26 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 16,556 people - inclusive of 81 deathsThere are currently 767 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 117 people in intensive care, 47 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 882 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.



DAY 73: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Friday 27 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 17,582 people - inclusive of 81 deathsThere are currently 778 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 125 people in intensive care, 52 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 1,035 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


So far this month in New South Wales 546 people with COVID-19 infections have been assessed by A&E staff as having a level of illness requiring hospitalisation



The deaths to date so far during the NSW Delta Variant Outbreak represent 59.71% of all NSW deaths with a COVID-19 diagnosis since the pandemic first entered Australia and the state in January 2020.


According to leaked documents received by The Guardian and published on 28 August 2021, right across New South Wales the gap between the fully vaccinated Indigenous population and the remainder of the state  population ranges from 6.9% to 18.28% fully vaccinated and 11.10% to 33.90% first dose only vaccination.


In four local health district areas – the mid north coast, western NSW, far-west NSW and northern NSW – the vaccination rate for non-Indigenous people is over twice the rate of Indigenous people, despite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders being designated a priority group in the vaccine rollout plan from March 2021 onwards. 




DAY 74: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Saturday 28 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 18,792 people - inclusive of 89 deathsThere are currently 813 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 126 people in intensive care, 54 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 1,218 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.



DAY 75: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Sunday 29 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 20,061 people - inclusive of 93 deathsThere are currently 840 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 137 people in intensive care, 48 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 1,290 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


The deaths to date so far during the NSW Delta Variant Outbreak represent 62.41% of all NSW deaths with a COVID-19 diagnosis since the pandemic first entered Australia and the state in January 2020.


On 16 June 2021 Day One of the NSW Delta Variant Outbreak NSW Health stated there were there were currently 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW hospitals, with none in intensive care.  By Day 75 there were currently 840 confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW hospitals, with 137 in intensive care and, the possibility has been raised that ICU numbers will double within a week.



DAY 76: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Monday 30 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 21,208 people - inclusive of 96 deathsThere are currently 871 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 143 people in intensive care, 58 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 1,164 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.




DAY 77: NSW Health data showed that, as of 8pm Tuesday 31 August 2021, the number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections since the 16 June beginning of the Delta Variant Outbreak in NSW now totals 22,308 people - inclusive of 100 deathsThere are currently 917 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 150 people in intensive care, 66 of whom require ventilation


NSW recorded 1,116 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.


Of the 1,116 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm on 31 August 2021:

408 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD);

372 are from South Western Sydney LHD;

132 are from Sydney LHD, 68 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD;

52 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD;

29 are from Western NSW LHD;

22 are from Northern Sydney LHD;

8 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD;

6 are from Hunter New England LHD;

3 are from Far West LHD;

2 are from Central Coast LHD,

4 are in a correctional centre; and

10 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.



To date since 22 February 2021 the total New South Wales percentage of fully vaccinated persons aged 16yrs to 90 yrs and over is 37.07 per cent




For further historical information see: COVID-19 State of Play in New South Wales from 25 -31 July 2021


COVID-19 State of Play July 2021: SkyNews Australia came a cropper at the first fence of the pandemic media steeple chase

 

Sky News Australia is a 24 hour cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel and Optus Television subscription platforms, as well as on free-to-air television in regional and non-metropolitan areas throughout Australia.


This News Corp entity also has a Youtube channel displaying at last count 52,838 videos and has 1.86 million subscribers.


YouTube is owned by the global Internet search engine, Google LLC, which in turn is owned by Alphabet Inc.


According to The Sydney Morning Herald on 1 August 2021:


Sky News Australia has been suspended from uploading content to YouTube for a week after the video and livestreaming platform claimed the media organisation breached its COVID-19 misinformation standards.


In a statement issued to Nine newspapers on Sunday afternoon, a YouTube spokesperson said the website had taken steps against Sky, including removing videos from the media outlet’s online channel and issuing a “strike” against it, causing it to be temporarily suspended from uploading content.


We have clear and established COVID-19 medical misinformation policies based on local and global health authority guidance, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 misinformation that could cause real-world harm,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement.


We apply our policies equally for everyone regardless of uploader, and in accordance with these policies and our long-standing strikes system, removed videos from and issued a strike to Sky News Australia’s channel.”


YouTube has not said what videos published by Sky it removed, but the platform doesn’t allow content medical misinformation about COVID-19 “that poses a serious risk of egregious harm in contradiction with local and global health authorities’ guidance about COVID-19 treatment, prevention, transmission, and social distancing.”


The one-week suspension by YouTube follows a review of content for compliance with YouTube’s policies on COVID-19 which are subject to change in response to global or local health authority guidance on the virus…..


As SkyNews Australia’s YouTube home page features video clusters by hard right commentators Alan Jones, Andrew Bolt, Peta Credlin, Chris Kenny and the “Outsiders” program hosted by Rita Panahi, I suspect it wasn’t hard to find material which might be in danger of breaching YouTube’s standards.


SkyNews Australia’s digital editor fired back at the claims made by YouTube in an online article titled “YouTube’s Sky News Australia suspension ‘disturbing’ assault on freedom of thought” containing a power point presentation of Donald J. Trump’s thoughts on freedom of speech.


This article states in part that:


Among the videos deemed unpalatable for societal consumption were debates around whether masks were effective and whether lockdowns were justified when considering their adverse health outcomes.


The stance taken by some commentators at this network was that masks are not effective in containing outbreaks, particularly when mandated outside in the fresh air. Some also took issue with the frequency and mechanisms of locking down Australians.


It has been noted elsewhere that SkyNews Australia's temporary suspension came close on the heels of a Nine Entertainment newspaper dropping Alan Jones' regular column amid a pandemic misinformation controversy.



About those up to 40,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses withdrawn from rural & regional New South Wales at the end of July 2021.....



In 2021 the New South Wales Higher School Certificate written exams for Year 12 students commence on 19 October and conclude on 12 November.


In Greater Sydney there are est. 52,400 students enrolled in Year 12 and it seems that the NSW Berejiklian Government has been unable to persuade Australian Prime Minister & Liberal MP for Cook Scott Morrison to release enough Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to protect an est. 24,153 of these students living in Western and South Western Sydney during the current highly infectious Delta Variant Outbreak.  Despite the fact that children and adolescents are over represented in the current infection growth within the state and there is as yet no end date in sight for this viral outbreak.


ABC News, 28 July 2021






On 28 July 2021 NSW Health announced that: Up to 40,000 Pfizer doses will be allocated from NSW Health's rural and regional supply of COVID-19 vaccine to help Year 12 students in south west and western Sydney get back to school for face-to-face learning on 16 August.


By 31 July people in regional NSW were beginning to report receiving cancellation notices for scheduled appointments for first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as at least one vaccination hub being stripped of Pfizer completely.



Twitter
, retrieved 1 August 2021


One has to wonder about the logistics of the Premier and Health Minister’s plan to first dose vaccinate those approx. 24,153 high school students - who along with their peers are currently studying from home during the Greater Sydney lockdown – over a short window of 18 days.


Given the ever rising infection numbers, people living in rural and regional New South Wales are openly wondering if any thought has been given to the impact on their communities once the Delta Variant firmly establishes itself outside of Greater Sydney.


Sunday 1 August 2021