NSW hits 70 per cent double vaccination milestone as COVID-19 cases keep dropping
NSW has reported 594 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and 10 more deaths, as the state hits the 70 per cent double vaccination milestone allowing it to emerge from lockdown.
The new infections in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday is the state’s lowest daily number since August.
Ten deaths were also reported – seven men and three women – bringing the number of people who have died in the latest outbreak to 395.
NSW Chief Deputy Health Officer Marianne Gale said she was pleased to see the numbers stabilising and going down while vaccination rates were up.
“Thank you everybody for your ongoing terrific efforts in coming forward to get vaccinated, it’s really pleasing to see such high coverage of vaccination across the state,” she said on Wednesday morning.
She also flagged regional areas of concern as Jindabyne, Figtree, Merewether, Wallsend, Cessnock, and Blue Haven, where residents should remain vigilant for symptoms, testing and getting vaccinated.
“It is really important that as we open up, we all act cautiously, and that we continue to follow the revised health advice that will apply as we progressively follow the roadmap,” she said.
There are 959 patients in NSW hospitals, with 188 people in intensive care and 93 who require ventilation.
It’s also been announced the state has now reached the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone for over 16s.
“This is great news and big step closer (sic) to a full reopening and a proper summer,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said in a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon.
From Monday, shops and hairdressers re-open to the fully vaccinated and the five kilometre from home travel limit ditched.
Five visitors will be allowed in homes while 50 guests will be permitted at outdoor weddings and funerals.
It’s also been confirmed stay-at-home orders will be extended for the Oberon and Snowy Monaro local government areas, and for Menindee and Sunset Strip in the Central Darling Shire until Monday.
Greater Sydney has been locked down for more than 15 weeks, and lobby group Business NSW is asking for a panel to be established to consider financial support for small businesses.
Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter said the panel would consider proposals on a case by case basis for businesses that don’t qualify for any current hardship packages.
“There is concern amongst the business community that some may ‘fall through the cracks’ when it comes to the support packages,” Mr Hunter said.
Source: sbs.com.au
