Coronavirus updates LIVE: NSW remains on high alert as COVID-19 clusters grow; Victoria case surge continues as University of Oxford vaccine shows promise - The Sydney Morning Herald

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Oxford vaccine human trial 'very encouraging': Deputy CMO

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth has said the result of the first human trial of a coronavirus vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford are "looks very encouraging".

"The response of this vaccine has been to create increased number of antibody levels and T-cell activation – they're the two parts of the immune system that will work in concert to protect against COVID-19," Dr Coatsworth explained on ABC television this morning.

"So what we're actually seeing is that those two elements of the immune system are boosted by the vaccine. What we need to see now is that boosting actually translate into protection from COVID when it's rolled out."

Dr Coatsworth said the researcher's next step of recruiting 50,000 people for another trial was also "very encouraging", although he was unable to provide a realistic date for when such a vaccine might be available in Australia.

Asked about the unfolding coronavirus situation in NSW, Dr Coatsworth said there was "still a reasonable chance" that the outbreak will be brought under control, noting it was different from the Victorian outbreak in that cases were being "traced to single point sources".

"But we do have to start to consider things like mask use on public transport where we can can't socially distance," he added. "And that's something that we would start to encourage Sydneysiders to strongly consider."

Melbourne police detective tests positive sending officers into self-isolation

By Erin Pearson

A temporary criminal investigation office is being set up in Melbourne’s north after a detective tested positive to COVID-19, forcing a further 46 police officers into self isolation.

A police officer based at Broadmeadows police station found out they had tested positive for the virus on Friday with the building, including public areas such as the station foyer, then undergoing a deep clean.

Close to 200 police and protective service officers are now in self-isolation across the state following close contacts with positive COVID-19 cases at stations including Frankston, Werribee and 313 Spencer in the CBD.

"Forty six police officers and one Victoria Police employee from the [Broadmeadows] work area have been directed to self-isolate immediately and have been tested. All tests returned so far have returned negative to the coronavirus, however all employees remain in self-isolation," a police spokeswoman said.

"They will be re-tested at a later date as a precautionary."

A temporary Hume CIU office has been established, and the community can be assured that service delivery will remain unaffected during this time, with resources to be used from other locations where needed.

"Victoria Police will work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services as they conduct contact tracing to determine whether anyone else was in close contact with the police officer who tested positive for coronavirus."

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Shopping centres in Sydney's Cabramatta, Carlingford undergo deep cleaning

Shopping centres in Sydney's south-west and north-west have undergone deep cleaning overnight after confirmed coronavirus cases.

Cabramatta Plaza, in the city's south-west, said on Facebook last night it would be "throroughly cleaning" its premises after a person who visited Ledang Family Medical Centre on Friday was later found to have the virus.

Meanwhile Carlingford Court, in the city's north-west, said it conducted a deep clean of the premises yesterday after a person attended Vanity Nails salon on July 18, prior to testing positive for coronavirus.

“We have received no advice which indicates there was any risk to other customers or retail team members who visited Carlingford Court," the centre said in a statement.

School in Melbourne's northern suburbs closes after positive test

A school in Melbourne’s northern suburbs has closed after a member of the school community contracted COVID-19.

Students and staff will not attend Northcote High School today as the Victorian Health Department conducts contact tracing to determine if the infected person had any close contacts.

It's not clear if the infected person is a student or staff member.

“We will provide further information following confirmation of advice from [the Health Department],” an email to students and families read.

Another Geelong school closes after case in student

Another Geelong school has closed after a case was recorded in a student.

Clonard College will be closed today, parents were informed in an email last night.

Despite not being within the stage three restriction zone, it is the fourth Geelong-area school to close in the past week due to a coronavirus case in the community. Yesterday, a dozen Victorian schools were closed for deep cleaning after being connected to cases.

Clonard College will recommence remote learning on Wednesday.

Albanese welcomes two-tiered JobKeeper, criticises 'dole bludger' argument

By Paul Sakkal

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese says the government acted too late to ensure some part-time and casual workers were not earning more than their regular income while on JobKeeper, and criticised the government for using the “dole bludger argument” to limit the permanent increase in the unemployment benefit.

Mr Albanese said Labor would closely examine the government’s changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker, which will continue into next year at reduced rates.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says the government acted too late to ensure some part-time and casual workers were not earning more than their regular income while on JobKeeper.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

He said he was pleased the government had “woken up” to what he argued was the wasteful payment of the full $1500-per-fortnight amount to individuals who would have earned less in their job.

“If a Labor government had wasted the billions that have been wasted here in additional income to people, more than they earned before, then [the Coalition] would have been crying from the rafters,” he said.

The Labor leader said Prime Minister Scott Morrison was wrong in his suggestion the $1,100-per-fortnight JobSeeker payment was creating a disincentive to work.

Mr Albanese claimed there were 13 unemployed people for every available job, and said “huge numbers” of people were applying to fill vacancies.

“This is not time for the government to essentially run out the dole bludger argument. The fact is the jobs aren’t there,” he said.

Mr Albanese reiterated his party's support for a permanent rise in the unemployment rate but declined to detail he much he would like to see the rate rise.

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NSW teachers are allowed to wear masks: Education Minister

With NSW school students returning to the classroom today, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has said teachers are welcome to wear masks to work.

"We are certainly not requiring students or teachers to wear a mask, that's not the health advice, but if it gives parents or teachers comfort to wear a mask, that won't be a problem either," she told Ben Fordham on 2GB this morning.

NSW Health recommends people wear masks in situations where they are unable to maintain social distancing. It is a different story in Victoria, where people aged 12 and over in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be required to wear a mask from Thursday, including the year 11 and 12 students attending school on campus.

Ms Mitchell's comments are interesting because we have heard reports of some principals directing teachers to not wear masks in NSW schools. Do you know more? Contact us below:

Mask demand crashes websites, creates shortage of elastic

By Liam Mannix and Dana McCauley

An Australian manufacturer of medical masks says it is operating around-the-clock to fulfil its contract to boost the Commonwealth stockpile and has no capacity to meet increased demand from the Victorian public.

Shepparton-based Med-Con, which has been making up to 3 million mostly medical masks per week for the federal government, "physically cannot make any more masks" to meet rising demand in its home state, company general manager Steve Csiszar said.

Leading denim brand Nobody Denim has converted its jeans factory to manufacture facial masks and surgical-grade gowns during the COVID-19 outbreak.Credit:Chris Hopkins

Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Nick Coatsworth, said on Monday the government's stockpile of masks would be distributed for medical use and more than 6 million were due to be sent to Victoria, mostly for use in aged care.

The Victorian government’s mandatory mask declaration on Sunday has created an unprecedented surge in demand for face masks that has crashed websites, backlogged deliveries and even created a shortage of elastic.

Regional NSW stores close after case visit

Several stores in the NSW South Coast town of Mogo have closed after they were informed by NSW Health that a positive case connected to the Batemans Bay outbreak attended.

The Middle of Mogo, a gift shop, posted the following message on its Facebook page yesterday:

"The Middle of Mogo, Courtyard Cafe, Mogo Fudge and Lots of Lollies Mogo will remain closed until further notice. We have been informed by NSW Health that a member of the public who has since tested positive to Covid-19 attended our Cafe on Tuesday 14th July between 1.00-1.30pm."

There are now eight cases connected to Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, with NSW Health directing anyone who attended on July 13, 15, 16 or 17 to immediately be tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of symptoms.

Mandatory masks wouldn't have stopped NSW cases: Berejiklian

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said she is not focusing on making masks mandatory because the bulk of the state's recent transmission has occurred at restaurants and pubs where wearing a mask would be impractical.

"What we have to do first and foremost is take the health advice, and what health and myself are most concerned about is what people are doing when they enter hospitality venues," she told Ben Fordham on 2GB this morning, adding that "you can't wear a mask when you're having a meal".

NSW Health recommends masks are worn only in situations where social distancing is made difficult. The Premier said they were "a matter of personal choice".

With new restrictions on venues – such as a 10-person cap on group bookings – coming into effect in NSW on Friday, the Premier said further rules were not off the table.

"If we need to do more we will, and I say that not as a threat but just as a statement of fact because our job is to keep the community safe, to keep jobs going and to keep the economy going"

She added that, even though there are no lockdowns on areas with known outbreaks, she would encourage residents who know the virus is circulating in their area to consider having a quiet weekend.

"I would ask everybody, particularly people in areas that have had outbreaks, to consider what you are doing."

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2020-07-20 22:57:00Z
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