Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[HappyFlyerFamily]

A year after its first COVID case, the NT has dodged community transmission. Was it luck?

The jurisdiction has the nation's lowest caseload, no community transmission and no deaths. Experts weigh in on the NT's success so far — and the challenges ahead.

www.abc.net.au

Last April, as coronavirus was taking hold in Australia, Northern Territory health authorities issued a stark warning: community spread of the deadly virus would be inevitable in the NT.

But a year to the day since the NT recorded its first case — a 52-year-old tourist who had been overseas before flying from Sydney to Darwin — the pandemic has so far proven that prediction wrong.

The NT is one of the last Australian jurisdictions to have avoided community transmission, and it also boasts the nation's lowest caseload and no deaths.

(The ACT has recorded one case from an unknown source, but health authorities do not regard this as community transmission.)

The majority of the NT's 106 cases have been linked to the federal government's repatriation program. Its locally acquired cases — all linked to interstate travel — can be counted on one hand.

What is behind the NT's success in its first year battling coronavirus?

Experts say it is a combination of effective public health controls and the territory's unique demography — and a healthy dose of luck.

 

[RAM]

If you haven't heard the interview with the NT over their 'success' - well worth searching for it.

Made a number of surprisingly sensible statements about what they did & why they may have achieved the outcome - including the healthy dose of luck.

One point was that due to the normally present heat - they have a predominantly outdoor lifestyle not so much of an in-door social environment nor do they have dense high rise housing.

But did not mention the doses of alcohol taken frequently.... Averaging 14 litres of pure alcohol per person per annum (vs Aust avg of around 9 litres).

 

[Lynda2475]

Victorian Government 'concerned' about reports nurses working at multiple quarantine hotels

A Victorian Government Minister says reports that nurses have been working across multiple COVID-19 quarantine hotels in Melbourne are "concerning".

www.abc.net.au

 

[Lynda2475]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1367989247509110789

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

2 positive in ACT quarantine becomes a total of 4 now at Day 5. Government chartered flight. I think all are the South African strain.

 

[jakeseven7]

Lockdown lockdown!!!

——

'Very strong' reading of coronavirus in wastewater from Adelaide's CBD​

South Australian health authorities say testing of Adelaide's wastewater has returned a "very strong" positive result for COVID–19.

'Very strong' reading of coronavirus in wastewater from Adelaide's CBD

South Australian health authorities say testing of Adelaide's wastewater has returned a "very strong" positive result for COVID–19.

www.abc.net.au

 

[oz_mark]

Lockdown lockdown!!!

——

'Very strong' reading of coronavirus in wastewater from Adelaide's CBD​

South Australian health authorities say testing of Adelaide's wastewater has returned a "very strong" positive result for COVID–19.

'Very strong' reading of coronavirus in wastewater from Adelaide's CBD

South Australian health authorities say testing of Adelaide's wastewater has returned a "very strong" positive result for COVID–19.

www.abc.net.au

Well, if its like the positive result that wastewater testing returned in WA ,they'll put it down to coming from one of the hotels.

 

[Pushka]

Well, if its like the positive result that wastewater testing returned in WA ,they'll put it down to coming from one of the hotels.

They have already admitted that the likely source is the Pullman as the collection area is well defined and which is of course, one of our Medi Hotels. If it was that serious then we would have had the three amigos presenting.

Adelaide is in the thick of Fringe, WomAdelaide and Festival of Arts. While the presentations themselves are socially distanced yada yada, outside the events the crowds are not. SA Govt allowed these events so now they try to panic us.

Funny comments on FB. Saying that as people don't drink sewage then what is the risk

 

[jakeseven7]

Well, if its like the positive result that wastewater testing returned in WA ,they'll put it down to coming from one of the hotels.

Or WA HQ staff that don’t wear masks

 

[Lynda2475]

In NSW they only request increased vigilance and testing when sewage testing finds covid traces in areas where there are no HQ facilities - albeit with warning could be historical cases.

Any state taking international arrivals should expect to find traces in sewerage systems servicing the cbd as that's where the positive cases are being treated.

 

[Lynda2475]

Woohoo 50 days of no community cases in NSW.

Restrictions on schools lifting today.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1368713431981854721

 

[VPS]

They have already admitted that the likely source is the Pullman as the collection area is well defined and which is of course, one of our Medi Hotels. If it was that serious then we would have had the three amigos presenting.

Adelaide is in the thick of Fringe, WomAdelaide and Festival of Arts. While the presentations themselves are socially distanced yada yada, outside the events the crowds are not. SA Govt allowed these events so now they try to panic us.

Funny comments on FB. Saying that as people don't drink sewage then what is the risk

Not all fringe shows socially distanced - Ross Noble there was a chair between each person. The Rhino room we were all squished up next to each other - no SD at all

 

[Pushka]

Not all fringe shows socially distanced - Ross Noble there was a chair between each person. The Rhino room we were all squished up next to each other - no SD at all

Clearly I was being too hopeful then. I really don’t understand why it was approved.

 

[VPS]

Clearly I was being too hopeful then. I really don’t understand why it was approved.

Interesting in Gluttony you are not allowed to enter unless you show your green tick on the app - maybe more people there so they are being more careful

 

[Pushka]

Interesting in Gluttony you are not allowed to enter unless you show your green tick on the app - maybe more people there so they are being more careful

But it isn’t like the App means you can stop social distancing, it just means that if someone is positive then they know who else might be at risk.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Or WA HQ staff that don’t wear masks

Now bygones

 

[Seat0B]

Clearly I was being too hopeful then. I really don’t understand why it was approved.

In the ACT the much loved Multi-culti (usually held late February) and the Folk Festival (usually held at Easter) have both been cancelled for a second year.

 

[jase05]

Clearly I was being too hopeful then. I really don’t understand why it was approved.

Don’t have a huge issue with it personally. Trains are packed daily with no SD and other events and venues are busy. The AFL starts in a couple weeks at 75% capacity in Adelaide and may even be increased by then too.

 

[Pushka]

Don’t have a huge issue with it personally. Trains are packed daily with no SD and other events and venues are busy. The AFL starts in a couple weeks at 75% capacity in Adelaide and may even be increased by then too.

Honestly that isnt a compelling justification for me. AFL. Dont have to wear a mask on the packed footy bus/train. Get off either and have to wear a mask until you sit down. Then you can yell to your hearts content. Mixed message much? Maybe I wouldnt be so cranky if right now they arent pressing alarm bells for covid positive sewage.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

But it isn’t like the App means you can stop social distancing, it just means that if someone is positive then they know who else might be at risk.

Well for me personally it is knowing who exactly was there is the critical point.

My personal view is that when there are no known , or probable, community cases that now that provided everyone has to check-in, including the staff (so that they are known and with contact details), and that they have assigned seating (so you know who an infected person is much more likely to have possibly infected) that there should be no capacities restrictions on venues whether it be the theatre or the football.

That to me will be Covidsafe for for circumstance that we are now in, and this should be the Covidnormal that we are now living under. Ditto for interstate border restrictions..

With HW and aircrew testing it is unlikely that spread will get more than days headstart before being detected.

If the above measures are in place everyone at the venue, and in particular those seated near the person can be rapidly isolated and contained., and deploy the two rings of containment method. We can now control outbreaks in Australia.


At present we are still causing unnecessary economic damage and destroying individuals and businesses for a tiny risk at that is quite controllable. We need to get everyone back to work including musicians and comedians and other performers.