Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[lovetravellingoz]

Courtesy of ABC Covid live blog

Frankston Hospital outbreak sends more than 600 staff into quarantine

The Victorian Australian Medical Association president Julian Rait says 612 staff at Frankston Hospital, in Melbourne's south-east, have been furloughed following a coronavirus outbreak.

There are 44 active cases now linked to the hospital.

Dr Rait confirmed the numbers after speaking to Peninsula Health's chief executive Felicity Topp.

Peninsula Health has been contacted for comment.

The health group has also been battling an outbreak at its Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre, where at least 17 patients had tested positive as of last week.

One of my nieces is a nurse there. She is not one of those in isolation though.

At least 50 staff are positive and 750 staff have been furloughed.

More than 700 hospital staff in isolation

A major coronavirus outbreak at a Melbourne hospital has forced more than 600 health workers to isolate.

www.news.com.au

 

[p--and--t]

One of my nieces is a nurse there. She is not one of those in isolation though.

At least 50 staff are positive and 750 staff have been furloughed.

More than 700 hospital staff in isolation

A major coronavirus outbreak at a Melbourne hospital has forced more than 600 health workers to isolate.

www.news.com.au

I'm increasingly wondering if we truly understand all the vectors for this virus and how to effectively prevent the spread in ways other than not being in the same building.

 

[RooFlyer]

The AMA weighs in about the response to COVID in Victoria. Interesting that, besides the hotel quarantine issue, the other main one he picked up was the BLM marches (my bolding). As I've mentioned before, it wasn't the lack of apparent virus transmission at the marches (which I think some have relied on to imply that the marches weren't a big deal), but the problematic public perception that the government's weak response engendered.

The Australian Medical Association has launched a stinging attack on the Victorian government over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, likening it to witnessing a “slow car crash” unfold.

In a forthright submission to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee’s current inquiry into the government’s COVID-19 response, AMA Victoria president Julian Rait details the government’s missteps during the past few months, singling out the “public perception of tolerance of large demonstrations” in reference to the Black Lives Matters protest that took place in contravention to restrictions at the time and the “mismanagement of the hotel quarantine system”.

There were 9 other issues identified: Victoria: ‘Like watching a slow car crash unfold’ . That may be paywalled, sorry, but I can't find the story on an open source such as the ABC.

 

[kyle]

Yes, but in closing this loophole you could then create all sorts of issues for people who are legitimately moving into regional Victoria or interstate. Where is the line? What amount of energy does it take in the pursuit of that line?

Somehow, people still suffer under the illusion that Australia is an egalitarian country. It might well be, relative to many other countries, but in a capitalist society, money talks.

Money talks has always the case hasn't it? I would imagine most people here on AFF would have the means to sign a lease to get into a closed state, but whether we choose to expend the cash this way is another matter.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Money talks has always the case hasn't it? I would imagine most people here on AFF would have the means to sign a lease to get into a closed state, but whether we choose to expend the cash this way is another matter.

And lack of money, and access to things such as paid sick leave, and has been a key enabler for CV19 in the second wave in Victoria.

 

[Must...Fly!]

And lack of money, and access to things such as paid sick leave, and has been a key enabler for CV19 in the second wave in Victoria.

And equally important to note the sick leave (or lack thereof) employment conditions are not limited to the state of Victoria so one must ask what the differences between the states are, more so than the similarities. In my opinion.

 

[kyle]

And lack of money, and access to things such as paid sick leave, and has been a key enabler for CV19 in the second wave in Victoria.

Which is what this article refers to: All in this together? How rich and poor are travelling in lockdown

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Which is what this article refers to: All in this together? How rich and poor are travelling in lockdown

Thank you for sharing. Interesting article and I note the graphic from it below.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

And equally important to note the sick leave (or lack thereof) employment conditions are not limited to the state of Victoria so one must ask what the differences between the states are, more so than the similarities. In my opinion.

While true in Victoria I think there was a combination of factors with the second wave which started via the hotel quarantine failures, but equally these cases started in a workforce in the main who were lowly paid and without sickleave who wanted to keep working. I think it was only the night manager who had sickleave. The first wave was at this time well under control and basically gone. Whereas this took off and spread, and as they were new strains with no links to previous clusters no one was looking for them. Plus being amongst the disadvantage the infected people were not presenting for testing, and when they were it was as a lower proportion compared to more affluent people such as more typical in the first wave.

Whereas in say NSW the second wave was being spread mainly via pubs and restaurants. ie more affluent people in the main and more likely to seek testing and to self-isolate. (Plus obviously NSW was better able to deploy contact tracing etc).

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Looks like Victoria’s renewal State of Emergency storm in a teacup will be resolved soon.

Possible breakthrough on Andrews' emergency plan

Daniel Andrews could be allowed to extend Victoria's state of emergency – but not for as long as he had hoped for.
The Herald Sun has reported that crossbench MPs in the upper house, whose support is critical in passing the powers, will agree to an extension. However, only in three month tranches.
Mr Andrews had been hoping to have the power to implement a state of emergency for 12 months from September when the current state expires.
The compromise position would also mean ministers would have to front up to a committee of their fellow pollies to be quizzed about COVID-19 measures before the state of emergency was agreed too.
The newspaper has said that Fiona Patten from the Reason Party has put forward the proposal.

 

[dajop]

Thank you for sharing. Interesting article and I note the graphic from it below.


View attachment 226265

Interesting graph. Always difficult to deal with gross data, it would be interesting to see the same graph without the new daily cases in aged care facility residents - as a number of aged care facilities in the most disadvantaged suburbs have had >100 cases. I suspect it would show the same overall trend but the purple and yellow graphs might be slightly lower.

 

[tgh]

The graph is meaningless to me without explaining the utilised definition of the word disadvantaged.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The graph is meaningless to me without explaining the utilised definition of the word disadvantaged.

They have less FF points per capita

 

[Lynda2475]

Whereas in say NSW the second wave was being spread mainly via pubs and restaurants. ie more affluent people in the main and more likely to seek testing and to self-isolate. (Plus obviously NSW was better able to deploy contact tracing etc).

Both Crossroads (the source was a visiting Melbourne worker) and Thai Rock Wetherill Park (the single biggest cluster) are located in disadvantaged areas (South West Sydney) - a long way from affluent. And the second biggest cluster the funeral one, also in non affluent areas (South West and Western Sydney). In fact only the Potts Point and Tangara School clusters could be said to be affecting affluent individuals.

The biggest differences appear to be:
a. that NSW had superior contract tracing resources - both in terms of number of people, organisation of those resources and quality of tools and processes in place;
b. providing more frequent release of open detailed information about where positive cases had been; and
c. ensuring a pop up testing clinic/s put in place as soon as a new community transmission chain identified.

Even before Vic got out of control they were not publishing details of all venues that positive cases had visited, were only reporting cases at LGA (not post code level) and not contacting many close contacts. From April in NSW you have been able to check the numbers for your postcode, and see the list of venues on NSW Health page. Andrews Gov withheld information because they did not want to be seen to single out minorities, but if they had been more open from the start, more people would have realised how fast the second wave was moving, how close they were to cases which may have encouraged greater testing.

NSW does not have any of the extra state payments that Vic has for people who dont have sick leave, need to isolate etc, so whilst financial incentive was a significant contributor to some Victorians not following iso rules and/or avoiding testing, I do not think it is the whole story. I'm sure many of the close contacts who have had to self isolate in NSW were also in insecure/casual work, given the outbreaks have mostly been in low income areas with high migrant populations.

The light rail pretty much killed Sydney CBD night life before Covid came along, which is why you see more socialising in the 'burbs in pubs and restaurants. What appears to be about dining out is more likely young people not having as many options. And Thai Rock and Apollo aside all the other club/pubs are actually pokie venues - the Mounties cases (source being funeral clusters) were all people playing the pokies.

 

[dajop]

It also may have been a problem in Melbourne (and this from the four corners report) that some of the first groups infected are not that trusting of governments, which meant they didn’t come forward for testing nor were likely to share full details of their contacts.

Well before anything took hold it was always predicted that Melbourne was were an outbreak would occur (based on experiences in NY, London, Milan etc) - the climate and the demographics were ripe for the disease.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

It also may have been a problem in Melbourne (and this from the four corners report) that some of the first groups infected are not that trusting of governments, which meant they didn’t come forward for testing nor were likely to share full details of their contacts.

Well before anything took hold it was always predicted that Melbourne was were an outbreak would occur (based on experiences in NY, London, Milan etc) - the climate and the demographics were ripe for the disease.

But aren’t Sydney and Melbourne similar as to climate and demographics?

 

[Lynda2475]

But aren’t Sydney and Melbourne similar as to climate and demographics?

Demographics similar between Sydney and Melbourne (and SYD have many more international arrivals, so had the higher risk for international exposures).

But if you look at the biggest international outbreaks (southern united states, Brazil and India) they are all occurring in warm/humid environments, Vic has been bloody freezing since the second wave began.

I dont think that at the start of the pandemic that Vic was considered to be more likely to be impacted than NSW - both have much larger and denser populations than the other states and territories so of course were always going to have higher risk than everywhere else.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Six new venues added to Brisbane COVID watch list

Queensland Health has expanded its list of venues where cases from the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre cluster visited.
Anyone who has been to these locations at the times specified should monitor their health and if they develop any COVID-19 symptoms, even mild, get tested.
All the venues are in the city's south.

– Forest Lake Tavern, Forest Lake, on August 14 between 6:30pm and approximately 10:30pm
– Magistrates courthouse, Richlands on August 17 between 12:15pm and 12:30pm
– Bendigo Bank, Elizabeth St shopping centre, Acacia Ridge on August 178 between 12:45pm and 12:55pm
– Munch Inn café, Elizabeth St shopping centre, Acacia Ridge on August 17 between 1pm and 1:10pm
– Sia’s takeaway, Kingston Road, Slacks Creek between approximately 11:30am and approximately 11:45am
– Graceville netball courts and canteen, Faulkner Park, Graceville between 8am and 10:15am

QH has also said that the person who visited the Orion shopping centre, Springfield, on August 21 was only to the Orion Nail Bar between 4:15pm and 5pm.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Another NSW public health alert....I think the bus routes are from the trainee driver...new Phase 2 venues added - City Tattersalls gym and Active Dance class at Virgin Gym Zetlands

Public Health Alert - Royal Hospital for Women at Randwick, City Tattersalls, Virgin Gym Zetland, bus routes in Blacktown, Rouse Hill and Mt Druitt
26 August 2020
NSW Health are alerting the public to updated locations visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents of the Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, and Northern Sydney LHDs.
One new case, linked to the City Tattersalls gym, visited Royal Hospital for Women at Randwick on the morning of Tuesday, 25 August. The person at the Royal Hospital for Women visited the Windscreens Café located in the hospital foyer. The café has been closed for cleaning.
The person followed the measures required of hospital visitors, including screening checks on entry to the hospital. They developed symptoms later in the day and underwent a COVID-19 test.
The Royal Hospital for Women has taken all appropriate actions in response to this matter and there is no ongoing risk to patients, staff or visitors. The Royal Hospital for Women is working with the local public health unit to identify and provide information to all close and casual contacts.
This person will be counted in the public health update tomorrow, Thursday, 27 August 2020.
NSW Health considers anyone who attended City Tattersalls between 8am to 2pm on 19, 21 or 23 August to be close contacts and asks them to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate at home for 14 days. Other members of City Tattersalls should get tested if they have even the mildest symptoms.
People who attended the Active Dance class at 7:40pm at Virgin Gym Zetland are considered close contacts and should get tested and isolate at home for 14 days. Other people who attended this gym between 7:30 – 10pm should get tested even if they have even the mildest symptoms.

Bus routes

Further investigations of a case reported this morning have revealed that the trainee bus driver worked for three days while infectious on 20, 21 and 24 August on routes in Blacktown, Rouse Hill and Mt Druitt. Passengers who may have used the following bus routes must be alert for symptoms and if they develop, immediately get tested and self-isolate:
20 and 21 August:

•  755 @ 05:18am from Mt Druitt station to Shalvey shops
•  755 @ 05:35am from Shalvey shops to Mt Druitt
•  758 @ 06:01am from Mt Druitt station to St Mary’s station
•  758 @ 06:35am from St Marys station to Mt Druitt station
•  723 @ 07:14am from Mt Druitt station to Blacktown station
•  731 @ 08:15am from Blacktown station to Rouse Hill station
•  752 @ 09:03am from Rouse Hill station to Blacktown station
•  755 @ 10:47am from Plumpton marketplace to Mt Druitt station
•  756 @ 11:29am from Mt Druitt station to Blacktown station
•  728 @ 12:16pm from Blacktown station to Mt Druitt station

24 August:

•  6546 @ 14:36pm from St Clare Catholic High School
•  6583 @ 15:15pm from Patrician Brothers’ College to Blacktown station via Blacktown South Public School and St Patrick’s Primary School
•  728 @ 15:34pm from Blacktown station to Mt Druitt station
•  756 @ 16:32pm from Mt Druitt station to Blacktown station
•  730 @ 17:25pm from Blacktown station to Castle hill shopping centre
•  730 @ 16:18pm from Castle hill to Blacktown station
•  723 @ 19:48pm from Blacktown station to Mt Druitt station
•  750 @ 20:38pm from Mt Druitt station to Blacktown station
•  750 @ 21:14pm from Blacktown station to Mt Druitt station
•  758 @ 21:50pm from Mt Druitt station to Emerson/Luxford
•  729 @ 22:37pm from Mt Druitt station to Blacktown station
•  731 @ 23:32pm from Blacktown station to Rouse Hill station

Two cases linked to the Tattersall’s gym also travelled by bus on the following routes on 21, 22 and 24 August.:

•  339 or the X39 to and from Randwick to Martin Place.

Anyone who catches these routes should be considered casual contacts and monitor for symptoms.
Three schools closed this morning will remain closed for on-site learning tomorrow as a precaution while further testing and serology of possible cases are finalised:

•  Riverstone High School
•  Wyndham College
•  Schofields Public School

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Both Crossroads (the source was a visiting Melbourne worker) and Thai Rock Wetherill Park (the single biggest cluster) are located in disadvantaged areas (South West Sydney) - a long way from affluent.

I think you misunderstood what I was intending by "more affluent". ie people who have more wealth compared to another, as opposed to more wealthy people.
That is the clientele have more disposable income, and more likely to be in secure employment. As opposed to wealthy people (which is not the group I was referring to). So my apologies if that was confusing.

A lot of the early second may were poor, often living in crowded and sometimes multi-generational households.


I have never been to the Thai Rock but it does not by its pics look to be the type of restaurant that would be focused on disadvantaged people.

Wetherill Park – Thai Rock

thairock.com.au

The menu at the Crossroads also would not seem to be that affordable to those on minimal income.

https://www.crossroadshotel.com.au/wp-content/uploads/CR_TempMenu_R7_final_WEB-min.pdf

Also with pubs and restaurants in NSW vs Vic, Vic never got back to more 20 people per room. Whereas NSW had much larger limits.

Early in the second wave family clusters were very common, including family to family transmission. (which is why one of the first control measures brought back in was to limit visitors to each household). In NSW in the second wave this has not been the case (which is not that there has not been family spread, just that it has not been a key spreader)..

In Vic after families the other cluster type that was very evident early was clusters around workplaces that had many poorly paid workers working in crowded conditions, and most of these workers were not permanent employees and did not have access to sick leave.

This then grew as the virus spread into ever widening circles. But apart from health-workers and aged care residents it is still mainly amongst the more lowly paid.