COVID-19 update for today and thank you to Suzanne for
the assistance in the Auslan. Today we can report that now in
Australia since the outbreak of this pandemic, we've seen
25, 547 cases. That's an increase of 112 in the last 24
hours. But I think we're all really heartened
to see that in Victoria we've seen the new cases dropped to less than 100
for the first time since July. And it's important to recognise the
amazing work that all Victorians are doing to contribute to these numbers
and the great work we see and they are, they should be heartened by this today
to see now the numbers drop below 100. But it is not yet time,
not time to be complacent. Sadly we've now seen 600 deaths in
Australia associated COVID-19. 18 more today
sadly and I again pass on my condolences to
all family and friends of those who've lost loved ones during this terrible
pandemic.
We have 510 people in hospital and that number over the last seven days
has continued to decline significantly and that is
an extremely positive to see. 32 people still of course
critically ill in intensive care, but again we are seeing those numbers come
down. We are now down more than six million
tests in Australia for COVID-19 and it's a
salient reminder. As today we are, many of us across the
eastern seaboard particularly are seeing much nicer
weather and we're seeing perhaps the first signs
of spring. So I need to ask everyone to remember
that now is not the time to be complacent
as we see the sun come out. It's still really important
please to - 1.5 meters of physical distancing,
hygiene your hands with soap and water or handheld
sanitiser, those cough etiquette, sneeze etiquette so we've learned to come
so used to and also remember now we are seeing
some community signs of community transmission in both
New South Wales and Queensland. And we've got additional restrictions in place
today from 8 am from the Chief Health Officer in Queensland for the Gold Coast.
So it's still, we all need to remain extremely vigilant
and make sure that we're all doing the right thing. So
whatever, however, minor those symptoms are
I do please ask you to get tested immediately. We are seeing some signs
where people are waiting for a few days before they get tested, please don't
wait. Please, the tests are free and they're easily
accessible any signs of a cold or a flu please do get tested and stay home.
And that's how we'll continue to keep this community transmission to a minimum,
so we can go about our business the best that we can.
So thank you Jade, question for me?
Reporter: Yes, thank you. I'm just wondering if you're concerned
about the cases growing, seem to be growing in New South Wales?
And that growing cluster which started in the Sydney CBD?
I think Jade we're all concerned and but we know that we're likely to
continue to see community transmission whilst
this disease is with us and while we don't have a vaccine.
Yes the transmission in the Sydney CBD is of concern and
and the Chief Health Officer of New South Wales is reminding everyone
of the importance of getting tested and staying home if you're at all unwell.
Please don't go out to venues or don't go anywhere if you're at all and
well and she's also recommending that you may choose to wear a mask
particularly in the Sydney CBD. If you're unable to maintain 1.5 meters
of physical distancing or if you're in places such as public transport.
But I remind you if you do wear a mask do remember it's important also to
hygiene your hands before you put on the mask and as you
remove it, so that you don't transmit COVID from the mask to yourself.
Thanks Jade. Any other questions?
Reporter: In its response to the Independent Inquiry into the
Newmarch House outbreak New South Wales Health criticised the
lack of preparedness in the aged care sector. Was the
Federal Government prepared for COVID-19 in aged care?
I think Jade we did we put a huge amount of work into
preparing our aged care facilities which included
training on PPE, additional work with guidance and
guidelines around how to prepare, how to respond to an outbreak in a
residential aged care facility. I think what we saw
certainly in Victoria when we commenced our work with the Victorian
Aged Care Response Centre, that many of the lessons we had learnt from New March
were the things that we were doing there to prevent further spread and
particularly around training and education of staff, in what is very
complex the use of PPE and a very difficult thing to do
over a long period of time. So we were prepared
but we've been able to learn further and we'll continue to learn about this
disease over time and will apply those lessons learned
into the future.
Thanks jade, anymore? okay thank you very much.
Reporter: Sorry, just one more. Just on the advice to people from Greater
Sydney and the Central Coast not to visit aged care homes.
Yeah
Reporter: Is that appropriate in your view? And should that be
extended to any other areas around the country?
I think Jade the first principles are that
please if you are considering visiting a residential aged care facilities
wherever you are across the country, please check with what the current
guidelines and recommendations are. Very importantly if you have any
symptoms at all please do not visit an aged care
facility. Please get tested and remain at home. The
recommendation is at the moment in New South Wales in
the CBD and on the coast not to attend. There may be some
occasions where this may be considered if
particularly in the circumstances for instance palliative care where
a visitation may be allowed but it would be done under
a particularly controlled circumstances and with the cooperation of the facility
and the family of the individual but I think that we know that
in these situations preventing visitation is an
important part of preventing the COVID-19 getting into
our aged care facilities at all Jade.
Thank you, thanks.