Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[justinbrett]

Oh dear for Newcastle

From the Mayor's FB page.

️NEW COVID-19 EXPOSURE SITES️

HNE Health advise that they have disappointingly been belatedly advised that members of the ‘party group from Blacksmiths Beach and Wallsend/Shortland gathering unfortunately also attended 3 of our busiest licensed venues in Newcastle on 30 July”.

Anyone who attended the following venues on the specified dates and times are casual contacts (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.

These venues are considered now casual contact due to the length of time for notification.

The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
Friday 30 July from 7pm – 8pm

Babylon, Newcastle
Friday 30 July from 8.05pm – 8.30pm

The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Friday 30 July from 8.45pm – 3.00am

Its looking dark for Newcastle, cases are rising and contact tracing is a week behind. Testing centres are at capacity.

At least we don’t have to sweat the lockdown decision, no chance it will be lifted. Most people I’ve been speaking to suggest the lockdown will be extended to the end of the month to line up with Sydney.

 

[N860CR]

Governments who haven't invested in the necessary healthcare systems and resources to manage COVID long term have let us down. They are the reason that we are still demanding zero COVID. They are the reason many in the community are scared of an illness that is not going to leave us. And they are the reason why Australia will fall further and further behind the rest of the world.

This is the big issue. And somehow, government has managed to get away with it completely free of blame. I get so angry when people say “do you want to be like India/Indonesia????”. We’re seriously comparing ourselves with two of the most impoverished nations on earth.

Im doing my tax tonight and even after a disaster of a year I’m still up for a $4200 Medicare levy on top of my health insurance and income tax. And yet our hospital system is supposedly so desolate it can’t handle any Covid patients without going into meltdown?

It’s an absolute disgrace, but all levels of government have done an incredible job of deflecting from their responsibilities. People should be marching in the streets in anger, but they’ve found a way to stop that as well!

 

[burmans]

I hope that we are not in the position where 80% is unachievable due to refusal as borders will have to reopen at some point and the serious illness and death of misguided individuals is still tragic. I must say I am optimistic that people will step up.

Can only speak for NSW but I think we will definitely hit it, will bypass 60/40 this month, close to 80/60 the month after (assuming the lockdown stays which looks inevitable) and the closer we are to the target the more real/achievable it will seem.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Its looking dark for Newcastle, cases are rising and contact tracing is a week behind. Testing centres are at capacity.

At least we don’t have to sweat the lockdown decision, no chance it will be lifted. Most people I’ve been speaking to suggest the lockdown will be extended to the end of the month to line up with Sydney.

We will no way be coming out of lockdown this week.
I think based on my limited movement to and from work the traffic is massively reduced. The testing centers are well over capacity (especially the Knights Stadium). The vast majority of the Hunter is trying to do the right thing but even although our case numbers are still only in double digits the messaging from NSW Health re contact locations still seems to be well behind the bush telegraph (MPs on Facebook/ Supermarket websites).

We now have a couple of special health accommodation sites in the area and a very much dedicated and motivated local LHD. I hope that we can test trace and isolate our way out of this but it’s very early on in the outbreak just now.

 

[Pushka]

I've been interested to see how Byron Bay residents are reacting to and coping with the current issue so have explored a few pages on FB. I've been pleasantly surprised that there is real concern about the risk of spread and how people are alerting each other to potential contact sites. There's also the local MP who is contributing her assistance. The person probably better not buy a house in Byron. He seems to have been not very pleasant to the nursing staff on arrival at the larger Hospital. And no one likes it when medical staff are treated poorly.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Raf_Epstein

Hearing today’s number is 20 cases

 

[sjk]

Raf_Epstein

Hearing today’s number is 20 cases

Sounds really good for NSW.

 

[bcworld]

I believe following all the sewage detections there is now 1 or 2 confirmed cases in Dubbo. Expected to join the lockdown party.

 

[MARTINE]

I've been interested to see how Byron Bay residents are reacting to and coping with the current issue so have explored a few pages on FB. I've been pleasantly surprised that there is real concern about the risk of spread and how people are alerting each other to potential contact sites. There's also the local MP who is contributing her assistance. The person probably better not buy a house in Byron. He seems to have been not very pleasant to the nursing staff on arrival at the larger Hospital. And no one likes it when medical staff are treated poorly.

…interesting to read of these responsible civic actions in Byron and heartening ….. re ‘the person’ - there is never any excuse to treat people providing care to you badly…
….he does not have Covid 19 in any case (because - like - it does not exist …)
I’d say it’s more likely the virus C-Nile or it’s more sinister variant D-Nile……

 

[justinbrett]

I've been interested to see how Byron Bay residents are reacting to and coping with the current issue so have explored a few pages on FB. I've been pleasantly surprised that there is real concern about the risk of spread and how people are alerting each other to potential contact sites. There's also the local MP who is contributing her assistance. The person probably better not buy a house in Byron. He seems to have been not very pleasant to the nursing staff on arrival at the larger Hospital. And no one likes it when medical staff are treated poorly.

The problem is NSW is utilising a state wide approach, so for outside Sydney the contact tracing locations and case alerts are lost in the noise of all the Sydney locations.

The Newcastle/Hunter MPs have also been very active on facebook and HNE Health have their own presence which has been good.

But sadly even Newcastle barely gets a mention in the daily press conference.

 

[Pushka]

The problem is NSW is utilising a state wide approach, so for outside Sydney the contact tracing locations and case alerts are lost in the noise of all the Sydney locations.

The Newcastle/Hunter MPs have also been very active on facebook and HNE Health have their own presence which has been good.

But sadly even Newcastle barely gets a mention in the daily press conference.

That's interesting. I guess there is just too much happening in Sydney but hopefully the local communities including Local MPs and Mayors can manage the communications within their own community better than what the State Govt can do. Trouble is getting that reliable info from the tracing team who must be overwhelmed right now. Get vaccinated.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Raf_Epstein

Hearing today’s number is 20 cases

Epstein most mornings interviews a person from Vic DHHS.

 

[bcworld]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1425229117889208321

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Another way slightly tongue in cheek way of measuring an outbreak. Though Bunnings Stores are everywhere.....

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2021

https://twitter.com/x/status/1425229117889208321

Importantly
VicGovDH
@VicGovDH
·

Of the 20 new locally-acquired cases, 15 have been linked to current outbreaks and 5 are still under investigation. 14 have been in quarantine throughout their infectious periods. [2/2]


So the 14 in quarantine is very good news.

The 5 still under investigation (not yet linked) is not so good news. However note that test results in Vic are to midnight and not 8PM and so is still possibly quite early for contact tracers depending on when those 5 were found..

 

[Seat0B]

This, this and so much of this. Actually this afternoon I felt rather overwhelmed with almost everything being outside our control and being told what to do constantly, and had to focus on not letting the emotion take over. It's starting to build around the community I feel.

Governments who haven't invested in the necessary healthcare systems and resources to manage COVID long term have let us down. They are the reason that we are still demanding zero COVID. They are the reason many in the community are scared of an illness that is not going to leave us. And they are the reason why Australia will fall further and further behind the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, we build pointless quarantine facilities for billions.

Hang in there @Must...Fly! the emotional roller coaster is real and I too have had moments of feeling angry, overwhelmed, despondent, frustrated, hopeful, serene and accepting and literally everything in between. However, I have learnt that I can talk myself down, that a phone call with a friend is helpful, and that a short time alone outside in lovely weather in nature if it can be managed or snuggling gratefully in my house while the wind and rain beat down, all help me to reset my gyros. As do a few glasses of red wine* and some chocolate! *Please drink responsibly, as they say

I just have to believe that this will eventually pass - the difficult part for me is not knowing when that will be. I love to have a goal on my horizon. To that end, i took some control and I have just booked a fully refundable skI trip for my whole family to Japan in late January 2023. I have something to look forward to now, even though it is a long way away, and I feel more settled today than I have since the caps were halved and I knew in my heart that Seat Son would not get here as planned on 14 August. Of course that will vanish in a puff of smoke if I have to cancel this trip too, but for now, it’s working.

All we can do about the neglectfully complacent governments is send them an electoral message - to steal an old political slogan we must maintain the rage and communicate it to those who might be afraid of a bit of voter rage.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I believe following all the sewage detections there is now 1 or 2 confirmed cases in Dubbo. Expected to join the lockdown party.

Robyn Herron​

​

New South Wales authorities are considering placing another regional centre into lockdown after a positive coronavirus case linked to two schools in Dubbo in the state's central west.​

​

Health and education officials have confirmed that a person linked to Dubbo West Public School, and The Macquarie Anglican Grammar School has tested positive to COVID-19 after developing symptoms on Monday.​

​

Around nine close contacts have been identified and are in isolation, but it is not yet known how transmission occurred.​

​

Both schools are closed today and staff and students have been asked to self-isolate until they receive further advice.​

​

The ABC understands the government is considering a snap lockdown of the Dubbo local government area, which also includes the town of Wellington.​

​

The New South Wales Local Health District has been monitoring Dubbo closely since virus particles were detected in sewage samples taken on August 3rd and 5th.​

​

Virus particles have also been detected in sewage samples in Mudgee.​

​

Residents in Dubbo are urged to limit their movements, wear masks and practice social distancing until they receive further advice.​

 

[Seat0B]

I believe following all the sewage detections there is now 1 or 2 confirmed cases in Dubbo. Expected to join the lockdown party.

Now there is another group of workers who need a big shout out for their dedication to help us all in this pandemic. Thanks poo detectives! I know I would not want to do that job.

And I’d also like to shout out to all the people who keep the supermarkets and pharmacies stocked and open. The check out staff are really on the front line.

 

[bcworld]

I believe following all the sewage detections there is now 1 or 2 confirmed cases in Dubbo. Expected to join the lockdown party.

2GB with the scoop

https://twitter.com/x/status/1425232843060379648

 

[jakeseven7]

I believe following all the sewage detections there is now 1 or 2 confirmed cases in Dubbo. Expected to join the lockdown party.

Yup it’s spreading in all directions now, as expected since the ring of steel was not implemented.

Our contacts at QLD Health say they are hearing that it they are expecting multiple incursions on a rolling basis across the border moving forward now, and seem to have now realised vaccination is the only way out (a few weeks behind everyone else but that’s ok!)

 

[justinbrett]

Yup it’s spreading in all directions now, as expected since the ring of steel was not implemented.

Our contacts at QLD Health say they are hearing that it they are expecting multiple incursions on a rolling basis across the border moving forward now, and seem to have now realised vaccination is the only way out (a few weeks behind everyone else but that’s ok!)

I think a hard Queensland border closure is likely