NSW recorded 172 new local COVID-19 cases overnight, making it yet another worst day on record for the current outbreak. At least 60 of those cases were infectious while in the community. Folks, I don’t know what to tell ya, but it is not looking good.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she’s aiming to make an announcement “as early as tomorrow” on what life for Greater Sydney looks like beyond July 30, when the current lockdown is due to end. (Spoiler: that’s not happening.)
“I think what’s important to note is that it’s been a good time for the health experts to give us good data on how the virus is transmitting and in which way,” she said.
“And consistently we’ve seen critical workplaces and also households be the main generators of the virus transmitting and they’re the issues we need to focus in on.
“But it’s also clear for us that we need to intensify our strategy to ensure that the population comes forward to get vaccinated.
“So these are all things that we will be considering when we announced what life beyond July 31 looks like. And I just asked people I know it’s really difficult not to speculate, but please wait to make those announcements I’m hoping to make those announcements as early as tomorrow, to give people plenty of notice.”
There are now 46 people in intensive care, including 19 people on ventilators. Sadly, another two deaths – both women aged in their 80s – were reported overnight, bringing the total death toll of this current outbreak to 10.
“Unfortunately, they were household contacts that they got the disease from. They weren’t vaccinated and my messages to everybody please come forward and get the vaccine. Not only are you protecting yourself but you’re protecting those closest to you,” Berejiklian said.
All adult Aussies (yep, even if those of us under 40) are currently able to get the safe and effective AstraZeneca vaccine through a GP.
Talk to a doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Alternatively, you can triple-check to see if you’re eligible for the Pfizer vaccine here.The best vaccine is the first one you can get, and that’ll be our ticket out of this mess.
