Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[bcworld]

Actually can’t remember much now about the 2 security guards, but I presume non UK/SA strain.

News - Public health update – Second hotel security guard tests positive

A second security guard who worked at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel while it was operating for people in quarantine from overseas has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

www.health.nsw.gov.au

Both tested positive in August 2020. If I recall one of them failed to isolate after testing and popped into Kmart and a few other places.

 

[jakeseven7]

Can’t say I am feeling a lot of confidence in our ability to handle things. However it is only a small number....

I'm very confident with VIC and NSW.

WA, QLD? Ah no....

 

[Lynda2475]

ABC News Blog reports:

 

[nutwood]

ABC News Blog reports:

View attachment 240413

Hang on, didn't Tasmania classify twelve NSW locations as high risk earlier today? We've postponed work in NSW pending further developments but Victoria is giving the green light? I am both happy and sad at the same time, and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be. (borrowed quote but not sure who!)

 

[bcworld]

Hang on, didn't Tasmania classify twelve NSW locations as high risk earlier today? We've postponed work in NSW pending further developments but Victoria is giving the green light? I am both happy and sad at the same time, and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be. (borrowed quote but not sure who!)

The locations were very specific...the precise venues attended by the case. Ultimately Tas and Vic have the same general settings for NSW.

 

[jakeseven7]

'Extensive investigation' launched after several COVID-19 cases discovered at Sydney quarantine hotel​

An "extensive investigation" has been launched to probe whether a person who tested positive for COVID-19 two days after leaving hotel quarantine was infected at Sydney's Sofitel Wentworth.

In a statement, NSW Health said several returned overseas travellers who stayed at the hotel had tested positive for coronavirus, and that all those who were on the same floor as the new case would be swabbed again.

NSW Health also said "comprehensive testing" was underway as officials probe potential links between those cases and the returned traveller, who arrived from South America on January 19.

The case, reported last night, triggered long queues at testing clinics in the northern suburbs of Wollongong after health authorities issued an alert for several venues at the coastal city and in Sydney.

NSW Health said 10 close contacts of the traveller had been identified.

'Extensive investigation' launched after several COVID-19 cases discovered at Sydney quarantine hotel

An "extensive investigation" is launched to probe whether a person who tested positive for COVID-19 two days after leaving hotel quarantine was infected at Sydney's Sofitel Wentworth.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drron]

For those that don't believe the UK mutation doesn't increase transmission check out the interactive graph in this article which shows the spread of the mutation in England from November to January.

Variants v. Vaccines

The Race between the Tortoise and the Hare

tomaspueyo.substack.com

Don't agree with all of this article but that graphic is amazing.

 

[RooFlyer]

"She" is a he.

Not just "related responsibilities", she has sole responsibility for management of hotel quarantine, and the agency "COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria" (CQV) headed by the Corrections Commissioner reports ultimately into Police & Emergency Services.

Prisons boss Emma Cassar to run Victoria's hotel quarantine system

A new agency to oversee the state's hotel quarantine system will be run by Corrections Commissioner Emma Cassar. Victoria will start accepting international arrivals again on December 7.

www.abc.net.au

Ah. In that case I heard Emma Cassar, not the 'Health Minister'.

 

[pagingjoan]

Ah. In that case I heard Emma Cassar, not the 'Health Minister'.

An outbreak of mistaken identity all round, it seems.

 

[kyle]

So reading the news, when the NSW says someone is a close contact at a venue and should isolate for 14 days REGARDLESS of the result, is that kind of counterproductive to the idea of having businesses open and encouraging people to go out and spend when you could potentially end up being stuck at home for 14 days?

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

So reading the news, when the NSW says someone is a close contact at a venue and should isolate for 14 days REGARDLESS of the result, is that kind of counterproductive to the idea of having businesses open and encouraging people to go out and spend when you could potentially end up being stuck at home for 14 days?

No because you don’t know when you are out where the next case will pop up. Usually you find out about a week later. If it’s two weeks later, you don’t usually have to isolate because it’s been 14 days since the contact.

 

[kyle]

No because you don’t know when you are out where the next case will pop up. Usually you find out about a week later. If it’s two weeks later, you don’t usually have to isolate because it’s been 14 days since the contact.

But I think that's contrary to what the government is saying. When the exposure site is published, they say go and get tested and then isolate, so the 14 days start from that point.

 

[ellen10]

I live in the northern suburbs of Wollongong. Yesterday the surrounding streets to the testing centre were totally blocked ( I could not get through) until the police finally arrived about an hour later. On sunday morning I rode my bike past the testing station twice and it was totally deserted. I thought to my self "well thats a white elephant", my what a difference a day makes!. The two venues listed as close contacts are both very very busy on the weekends.

 

[jakeseven7]

WA defends mixing returned travellers with holidaying tourists in quarantine COVID hotels​

7.30 has spoken with travellers inside the Hyatt Regency Perth who are baffled as to why the practice is being allowed.​

James Whitehouse returned from the UK after attending his father's funeral and has nearly finished his mandatory stay on Level 2 of the Hyatt Regency.

He told 7.30 he rang reception to query why some guests on the floor below had access to a balcony and fresh air.

He said he was told they were not quarantining, but were instead regular paying guests.

"If I was the paying customer I would not be taking that risk," Mr Whitehouse said

Members of the public are also welcome to book rooms at the Pan Pacific Perth, another quarantine hotel.

WA Premier Mark McGowan again defended his states quarantine program and said the use of quarantine hotels by members of the public had been "queried” with medical advisors, and the advice was that "it is not a risk".

Quarantining Australians sound the alarm on ordinary guests staying at COVID-19 hotels

James Whitehouse was doing his two weeks of quarantine in a Perth hotel when he realised people coming back from overseas weren't the only guests.

www.abc.net.au

 

[jakeseven7]

NSW COVID-19 case 'more than likely ' to have caught virus while in quarantine at Sydney's Sofitel Wentworth​

The local case, which was revealed late on Sunday night, was picked up on a mandatory test for returned overseas travellers, 16 days after the person had arrived in Australia from South America.

But the plot thickened yesterday afternoon when NSW Health revealed "extensive investigations" were underway after several cases had been linked to Sydney's Sofitel Wentworth quarantine hotel.

The case ended a run of local case free days for NSW and prompted Tasmania to reimpose border restrictions on the state.

WHO Wuhan investigation team says cats could be among animals catching and passing on coronavirus

The World Health Organization team that has been investigating the origins of the coronavirus pandemic says research should focus on potential virus transmission between animals.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Must...Fly!]

WA defends mixing returned travellers with holidaying tourists in quarantine COVID hotels​

7.30 has spoken with travellers inside the Hyatt Regency Perth who are baffled as to why the practice is being allowed.​

James Whitehouse returned from the UK after attending his father's funeral and has nearly finished his mandatory stay on Level 2 of the Hyatt Regency.

He told 7.30 he rang reception to query why some guests on the floor below had access to a balcony and fresh air.

He said he was told they were not quarantining, but were instead regular paying guests.

"If I was the paying customer I would not be taking that risk," Mr Whitehouse said

Members of the public are also welcome to book rooms at the Pan Pacific Perth, another quarantine hotel.

WA Premier Mark McGowan again defended his states quarantine program and said the use of quarantine hotels by members of the public had been "queried” with medical advisors, and the advice was that "it is not a risk".

Quarantining Australians sound the alarm on ordinary guests staying at COVID-19 hotels

James Whitehouse was doing his two weeks of quarantine in a Perth hotel when he realised people coming back from overseas weren't the only guests.

www.abc.net.au

It's not just that

The government is using taxpayer funds to subsidise residents having staycations in these hotels, namely the Hyatt and Pan Pacific.

What To Do In Perth | Perth Activities & Places To Go - Destination Perth

Destination Perth is your #1 guide for the things to do & places to visit in Perth. We've got you covered for sightseeing, activities & events. Learn more.

www.experienceperth.com

 

[jakeseven7]

So far all close contacts are negative in VIC... fingers crossed.

Sad news though, one of the returned travellers has been taken out of a Health Hotel and put into intensive care. Wishing them the best

 

[Princess Fiona]

But I think that's contrary to what the government is saying. When the exposure site is published, they say go and get tested and then isolate, so the 14 days start from that point.

No that’s incorrect. The 14 days is from the exposure to the person with COVID-19.
NSW Health Close Contact

 

[kyle]

No that’s incorrect. The 14 days is from the exposure to the person with COVID-19.
NSW Health Close Contact

Thanks for the clarification. So it appears to be sloppy reporting as I read it in the paper.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

More talking heads on quarantine

Experts raise concerns over three virus leaks in one week

Victorians are well aware of the pain caused by leaks in hotel quarantine but despite reforms being made since the outbreak that sparked the state’s second wave, alarm bells are beginning to ring again.

www.news.com.au