NSW records 239 new local COVID-19 infections, including 124 mystery cases - SBS News

New South Wales has recorded 239 new local COVID-19 cases, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian urging residents to "get vaccinated" this month. 

Of the 239 new local COVID-19 cases, 61 people were infectious in the community for either whole, or part, of the incubation period.   

Contact tracers linked 115 of the new infections to known cases and are investigating the source of infection for 124 cases.

Ms Berejiklian said it was encouraging that the virus has not spread beyond the epicentres of western and south-western Sydney, adding that there will be a renewed push to boost vaccine uptake. 

"We are again seeing the virus is circulating in workplaces and households," she said. "The one positive take-out is the virus has not in the main, spread outside those eight local government areas of concern."

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Push towards 80 per cent vaccination rate  

Ms Berejiklian said higher rates of vaccinations would be central to the state government's approach to containing the virus. 

"Let August be the month that we break records in vaccinations because that is our ticket to freedom," she said, confirming that the state government would be adopting the national cabinet aim for 70 and 80 per cent of vaccinations in the adult population.

She said the 10 million doses - or the 80 per cent target - is the big goal, but even achieving 50 per cent would allow for more easing of restrictions. 

"The higher the rate of vaccine, the more options we have moving forward."

She defended the redirection of vaccine supply from regional NSW to vaccinate Year 12 students going back to face-to-face lessons in the eight LGAs of concern. 

"It is a mitigation and a way of focusing our energy into a south-western and western Sydney local government areas and that is really important.

"All of us are making sacrifices to reduce spread and get us out of lockdown as soon as possible; and I really think people all the sacrifices they are making because it is really challenging times."

Building up trust in eight LGAs

Tougher restrictions are in place for eight LGAs in western and south-western Sydney, including Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River.

MPs in the LGAs have called for blanket rules to be applied to the whole of Greater Sydney, concerned by the emphasis on sending hundreds of police and Defence force personnel to enforce compliance.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a "nuanced" response is necessary and "strikes the right balance".

"We're trying to strike the balance, we think we have got it right," he told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday morning.

He said the state government is working hard to build trust with migrants and refugees in the eight LGAs.

"(In the eight LGAs) there is an incredible multicultural mix, but they come from countries where they haven't built up trust in government. And that is what we need to do - build up trust in that area."

Four people died in their homes

NSW Health said four deaths in the latest outbreak involved people who died in their homes. 

Ms Berejiklian conceded that fear is stopping residents in the eight LGAs from seeking early hospital treatment. 

"It is very sad that people don't even get any medical help and are dying at home. We will see more of that unless people come forward and get tested."

She reassured those who may be the main breadwinner in the household that extra financial support is available for those who need to get tested or seek treatment for COVID-19.

"It only takes a handful of people to be scared, sometimes through fear, sometimes through not wanting to accept what it could be, but please note: protect your loved ones. If you have the mildest of symptoms, come forward and get tested. 

"The government is working with community leaders to provide direct support - financial and otherwise - in those eight LGAs."

Payment considered to overcome reluctance to get tested  

Ms Berejiklian said NSW would consider introducing a payment to cover loss of income for people who are in isolation awaiting test results.  

In Victoria last year, a $450 payment was introduced for those who did not have sick leave to cover the loss of working hours while being isolated before the test results are returned.

"For a variety of reasons, unfortunately, people aren’t coming forward to get tested and they are in denial, thinking they don’t have the virus.

"This message we need to get everybody is you can deteriorate very quickly. You might start off with a mild symptoms in the morning and by the end of the day have very severe symptoms and succumb."

There were 87,712 COVID-19 tests conducted in the 24-hour period until 8pm Saturday, compared with 105,963 tests the day prior.

Most patients in ICU are younger and not vaccinated 

Of the 54 people in ICU, 49 were not vaccinated.

NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said people in the 18 to 39 age bracket are "driving a lot of this pandemic".

"This is the age group that tends to be a link between kids, younger people, and older, elderly relatives," he said.

"If you are in that age group it is important that you be aware that you are very vulnerable to the infection, as we have seen in ICU numbers, you can get serious disease. It is important you come forward for vaccination."

Seven of the patients in ICU are in their 20s, five are in their 30s, two are in their 40s, six are in their 50s, 14 are in their 60s and 10 are in their 70s. 

Police warn anti-lockdown protesters of ongoing operation

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing said officers would continue to be deployed to prevent any anti-lockdown protests.

"If you are thinking of participating in a protest-type action, we will be there and we will deal with you."

A six-hour operation with more than 1,3000 officers was conducted on Saturday to prohibit transport services conveying passengers into the CBD.

Thirty-eight people were arrested on Saturday for public health breaches and 516 fines were issued.

"Yesterday's operation was a success. We didn't have a repeat of the disgraceful events of last week. There was not a mass seeding event...The operation is ongoing."

Ms Berejiklian said she remained hopeful the lockdown could be lifted within the four-week extension period. 

"Of course we can. There are a lot of things dependent on that," she said saying a higher vaccination rate and testing numbers would be pivotal.

The list of exposure sites has been updated in the last 24 hours to include public transport routes and supermarkets in Double Bay and St Marys.

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NSW records 239 new local COVID-19 infections, including 124 mystery cases - SBS News
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Queensland records nine new local COVID-19 cases - its highest daily figure in almost 12 months - SBS News

Queensland has recorded nine new local COVID-19 cases as 11 local government areas in the state's south-east begin their first full day of a snap lockdown. 

The current outbreak has now expanded to 18 since the first case was announced on Friday - a 17-year-old student at Indooroopilly State High School.

"This is the most number of new community cases that we have reported in Queensland in almost 12 months," Deputy Premier Steven Miles said on Sunday. "The last time we were at this level was August 2020."

One of the new cases is a student at Brisbane Boys Grammar, who also attended karate classes at Ironside State School. The boy's father has also tested positive for COVID-19. 

Two cases of the new cases are linked to Indooroopilly State High School and another two cases are linked to Ironside State School.

Five schools in total are now linked to the current outbreak. 

Index case linked to overseas travellers

"The cases are rapidly escalating," said Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young.

She said genomic sequencing has revealed that the initial case - the 17-year-old high school student - likely acquired the Delta variant from overseas travellers who arrived in Brisbane. 

"One from Indonesia, who I suspect gave it to the person who came from the UK, either at Singapore airport, on the plane travelling from Singapore to Brisbane or in hotel quarantine. 

"I don't have the intermediaries between those two cases and that 17-year-old student.

"I think it is most likely that it has gone from the person who was managed up at Sunshine Coast, discharged from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital on 17 July."

Mask rules in schools to reduce spread

 Dr Young said new mask rules will be introduced in school settings to contain transmission of the virus. 

"I am worried that this is spreading in schools because of [students] not using masks," she said. 

When schools resume on Monday and Tuesday, masks will be mandatory. 

"All children in secondary school from years seven onwards, no matter their age," Dr Young said. "All teachers and staff for primary school and for high school, unless they are teaching children who are deaf."

Lockdown compliance 'first class'

Dr Young said residents in the 11 locked down LGAs are complying with the rules, although there is some confusion.

"The response from people has been first class.

"If you are not sure what you're meant to do, just check. Each of the five schools has a different regimen in place, because the risk is different.

"If you have a quarantine notice, just read it, it will be very clear. If you just received a phone call, just check what you need to."

Push to get testing numbers higher

She said authorities want to see the testing numbers at around 40,000 - much higher than the 11,468 tests recorded in the last 24-hour reporting period. 

She said masks are needed for those walking outside for exercise, saying that a walk is "not strenuous exercise". 

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said authorities are considering setting up more testing sites and drive-through clinics. 

"We have a virus that spreads in hours, not days. Our testing numbers are not high enough," she said. 

"NSW has recorded one death every three days from this virus. We cannot be complacent. We want more people to come out to get tested."

The list of exposure sites has been updated in the last 24 hours to include public transport routes and venues in Oxley, St Lucia and Indooroopilly. 

Protesters warned against gathering 

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said officers will be deployed over today and tomorrow to discourage anti-lockdown protesters from gathering.

"We did have protest activity yesterday [Saturday]. it was minor. Now is not the time to protest and we will take a very strict stance against those who do so."

He urged people to carry ID as officers check people are complying with the 10-kilometre limit.

Eighty calls were made to report breaches of the public health order, including reports of a possible house party.

NRL games allowed to proceed

Mr Miles said COVID-safe arrangements will be in place to allow for NRL games on Sunday to proceed - without spectators.

"It is only possible because the players and officials have been in a bubble for some time. The measures in place are the strictest that have ever been applied and have been assessed according to the public health risks," he said.

NRL games on Saturday were cancelled just ahead of the new lockdown rules coming into effect at 4pm.

Dr Young said it was the right decision to cancel the games and allow for time to develop stricter COVID measures.

"They [the NRL] cancelled the games and understood the risk and returned to me and said if we do all these additional things, would you support us going ahead without spectators?"

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Four new local COVID-19 cases in Victoria all linked to known outbreaks - The Age

Victoria recorded four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, after the state closed the border to Brisbane and much of south-east Queensland on Saturday night due to a new Delta outbreak.

All four cases are linked to the current outbreaks and have been in quarantine throughout their entire infectious period, the Department of Health confirmed on Twitter.

More than 25,700 test results were received on Sunday and 15,841 doses of vaccine were administered across the state.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton declared 11 local government areas in Queensland “red zones” at 8pm on Saturday night, after large parts of south-east Queensland entered lockdown yesterday.

Anyone entering Victoria from the “red zones” is required to get a permit, get tested for COVID-19 immediately and quarantine for 14 days.

Non-Victorian residents who have been in a “red zone” since it came into effect cannot enter Victoria without an exemption.

The affected areas are City of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, City of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

As a result of the Queensland lockdowns, AFL players had to scramble to Victoria, with three games rescheduled to take place in Melbourne on Sunday.

Gold Coast will play Melbourne at Marvel Stadium at 12.10pm, Essendon will face off against Sydney at the MCG at 3.10pm, and the GWS versus Port Adelaide match will take place at Marvel Stadium at 6.10pm.

Victorian health authorities listed no new exposure sites overnight, with Body Fit Training in Altona North listed as a tier-2 site on Saturday afternoon.

Anyone who visited the gym on Wednesday between 5.20am and 7am needs to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result, after a person with COVID-19 attended the venue.

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Show great vision to keep eyesight 20/20: Local optometrist - Riverine Herald

No longer are the fridge and pie warmer the only stops for blokes who pull into the local servo to fill up the car - you can add the now-commonplace spectacle stand to that list.

But Richard Lenne, a partner at Echuca's Horsfalls Optometrists, warns those who choose a pair of “magnifiers” from the chemist or service station that a short-term solution was not a long-term answer to vision problems.

”A lot of men will delay a visit to the optometrist by buying a pair of magnifiers at the chemist or service station.

“That’s been the biggest change in the last while, I don’t see as many men in their mid-40s,” Mr Lenne said.

He explained the short-term fix as exactly that, but warned that it could be putting off treatable problems for those same men later in life.

“Nowadays, a lot of men don’t rock up until they are a bit older. Glaucoma is a disease that affects your side vision and you won’t know about it unless you get tested.

“I’ve met fellows that have well-entrenched glaucoma and don’t know about it. It’s only been picked up because they finally came in and had their eyes tested.

“It’s a treatable disease. If untreated they will lose a lot of side vision,” he said.

Mr Lenne, who speaks regularly to men’s health groups, service clubs, diabetes groups and other organisations where its membership slips through the cracks of the vision health network, regularly has clients who underline his concern.

“A 77-year-old man came in for his first ever eye test. He was wearing Plus 250 chemist glasses and could read ok.

“He had only come to see me because his doctor had diagnosed diabetes and recommended the visit,” he said.

The man had end-stage glaucoma, which the optometrist of two decades said was an extreme example, but if he had been seen 20 years earlier he could have been helped.

Corey Hart may have been on to something when he hit the charts with Sunglasses at Night in the early 80s, though you’ll be hard-pressed to find an optometry reference to the Canadian heartthrob.

While Mr Lenne didn’t reference the hit single in his assessment of Campaspe Shire’s eye health, he did tick off the suggestion that sunglasses were a necessary accessory for continued clear vision.

With a quarter of a century's experience, Mr Lenne is well-placed to give advice on eye health and explained his hope that the popularity of sunglasses would stem the tide of macular degeneration in his future clientele.

“I’m quite hopeful we will have people with less eye problems because they’ve worn sunglasses all their life. Their role in reducing UV damage to the eye is important,” he said.

Mr Lenne had the perfect professional parent combo to enter the optometry field - his mother was a nurse and his father a scientist at Kyabram Research Station.

“I wanted science as a career, optometry was a science degree back then with health care as a focus.

“I had perfect eyesight at the time, but it was only when I finished that degree that I realised one day I would need glasses.

“It’s a funny thing when you have a room full of healthy people and suddenly it dawns on them that some day they will need some help with their vision.”

Hank (Henry) Horsfall set up Echuca’s first optometry practice in 1953, later expanding to Kyabram. The business now has four partner optometrists and since 2000 has developed both its locations.

Mr Lenne said his clientele was mostly children and older people.

“Maternal health nurses pick up kids they are worried about at their four-years-old check. Even if there is no history kids should get tested before they start school.

“Eye health and genetics are linked very closely.

“There’s a few things to open people’s eyes too. Particularly with men, who often have that attitude, ‘if I don’t know it won’t hurt me’.”

Mr Lenne said traditionally his clientele would be people in their forties who were starting to struggle with their reading.

Optometrists start testing for glaucoma in people at age 40.

“There was a great catch there, people couldn’t read in their 40s and they had no choice but to see an optometrist and we’d start testing them for glaucoma.

“Now they can avoid that first test (with magnifiers) and they rock up when they are 70. And it's too late.

“If your distance vision is perfect at 40 you are going to have reading problems at some stage, generally, and it only gets more obvious from there. That’s Mr and Mrs average.”

The leading cause of vision loss is macular degeneration, which tends to happen in older people.

Diabetes is a threat to younger people; following diagnosis one of the first stops is the optometrist.

“In Campaspe we do have a reasonably high rate of diabetes.”

He said most people would suffer from a cataract, even if they were lucky.

“Anyone 65 years old and older should have a check up every 12 months, but if they have a history or diabetes they should be coming in annually anyway.”

Last year, fortuitously for the optometry community, it being 2020, it was easy for a national public service announcement, and Victorian group Vision 20/20 continues to spread the message for people to have their eyes tested.

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Victoria declares locked-down Queensland local government areas as red zones - ABC News

Victoria has declared 11 Queensland local government areas red zones under the state's traffic light permit system.

Key points:

• The declaration is effective from 8:00pm on July 31
• It applies to the same 11 local government areas placed into a snap three-day lockdown
• South Australia and Norfolk Island have just moved from red to orange zones under the permit system

The change applies to the City of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, City of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

The declaration is in response to the snap lockdown declared earlier on Saturday in the sunshine state.

The red zone declaration means Victorians returning home from the affected areas after 8:00pm on July 31 must quarantine for 14 days.

Non-residents are effectively barred from entering the state without an exemption or an exception.

People who arrive before 8:00pm on July 31 must abide by the orange zone rules in place before the cut-off and get tested and isolate on arrival.

Under the traffic light system, anyone coming into Victoria must fill out a border permit form, even if they are coming from a green zone.

Doncaster supermarket added to exposure sites

A supermarket in Doncaster is listed as a Tier 1 exposure site, as health authorities tackle the remaining traces of the COVID-19  outbreak in Victoria.

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A day earlier, South Australia and Norfolk Island were downgraded from red to orange zones.

This means travellers from South Australia and Norfolk Island must apply for an orange zone permit, isolate on arrival in Victoria, get tested within 72 hours and remain in isolation until they receive a negative result.

People who arrived from those areas while they were red zones and since returned a negative test result will be released from quarantine.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton had earlier said there was "a strong expectation that I will need to make changes in relation to the permit zones to south-east Queensland".

Victoria follows other states and territories in tightening border rules with Queensland in response to its growing Delta outbreak.

New South Wales remains an "extreme risk zone", a tougher level of control which was only added as that state's outbreak worsened.

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Calls for bipartisan approach to combat anti-lockdown, anti-vax protests.

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South-east Queensland plunges back into lockdown after state records six new local COVID-19 cases - SBS News

Eleven local government areas in south-east Queensland have entered a snap three-day lockdown after the state recorded six new local COVID-19 cases.

The new cases were confirmed to be of the highly infectious Delta strain, and are linked to a 17-year-old who tested positive to the virus on Friday.

The new infections are the family members of that case, plus a tutor of one of those family members.

Stay-at-home orders are now in place for Brisbane City, Moreton Bay Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Sunshine Coast.

They are currently set to end on Tuesday at 4pm.

"Stay at home and do not leave, unless it is absolutely critical," Queensland's chief health officer Jeanette Young said on Saturday morning.

The state's health minister, Yvette D'Ath, said she made no apology for the speed and strictness of the orders.

"If you want to prevent the spread of the Delta virus, you have to go hard and you have to go fast," she said.

"Just over five days, we have an entire household of five people affected, and one of them had passed it onto another teacher.

"In Sydney, we saw what happened. From one case, 38 days later they are at 3,000 cases from that one person. Sadly, 13 people have died from that one cluster. We have to get this right.

"We have been here before. We know what we have to do."

Dr Young said it is hoped the lockdown only lasts for three days, but that will depend on compliance with the lockdown rules.

The lockdown extends to anyone who was in one of the 11 LGAs as of 1am Saturday, so even if they have since travelled to another part of Queensland they must abide by the restrictions. 

Tasmania has also shut its border to the 11 LGAs. Visitors to the state from Queensland who have arrived since 17 July will also be under stay-at-home orders for three days.

"If you're in Tasmania, and we expect there are probably about 11,000 people who have travelled into the state, you should immediately go home and isolate," Premier Peter Gutwein said. 

Meanwhile, NSW Health has ordered anyone in NSW who has been in the 11 affected LGAs since 21 July to stay at home for 14 days since they were last there, or until the notice is revoked.

The ACT government also has a stay-at-home requirement in place for anyone who has been in the LGAs after 21 July. They must stay at home until the lockdown ends or advised otherwise by ACT Health.

Victoria has declared the 11 Queensland LGAs red zones under the state's permit system. It means Victorians returning from the LGAs after 8pm Saturday must quarantine for 14 days and non-residents need an exemption to enter the state.

10-km limit and masks in schools 

Among the new rules is a 10-kilometre travel restriction to reduce the movement of people.

"I don't know today where this virus is in the south-east of Queensland. But wherever it is, I don't want it to go further," Dr Young said.

Exceptions to the 10-kilometre limit apply for compassionate circumstances, such as looking after a vulnerable person.

"Of course, use that common sense, which I know people do ... But just minimise movement, if you can," Dr Young said.

People doing exercise can do so with one person who does not live with them.

Funerals and weddings in the lockdown zone are now limited to 10 people and hospitality is takeaway only. Cinemas, hairdressers, gyms and places of worship have to close.

All schools in the lockdown zone will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, while all staff and students of Indooroopilly High School and Ironside State School are in quarantine for two weeks.

Schools will be open on Monday and Tuesday for the children of essential workers and for children who are vulnerable.

A pop-up testing clinic has been set up at Indooroopilly High School.

Health workers swab members of the public at a pop-up COVID-19 testing station at Indooroopilly State High School in Brisbane

AAP

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has urged people to carry proof of residence on them as police check compliance with the 10-kilometre limit.

"We will, as we always have, take an educative approach and work with people. So, if you're trying to do the right thing, you will be looked after. If you choose to do the wrong thing, there are strong consequences," he said, referencing fines of $1,378.

He warned people against attending any protests, adding that officers will be monitoring events this weekend.

"I'm also informed through our intelligence that there are people planning to protest in the CBD of Brisbane tomorrow. Can I say really clearly now is not the time. Now is not the time for protests in our community," he said.

"We ask that you do not go ahead with those protests. You can expect a police presence and you can expect the police to make sure that the chief health officer's directions are obeyed."

A full list of the state's exposure sites can be viewed here.

Sporting chaos

The announcement plunged several sporting codes into chaos.

Three AFL matches have been relocated: Saturday's Gold Coast-Melbourne and Essendon-Sydney fixtures, plus Sunday's GWS-Port Adelaide contest.

The Suns will now take on the Demons at Marvel Stadium early on Sunday afternoon as part of a double header, with the Giants to face the Power later at the same venue, while Essendon will host Sydney at the MCG. All three games will be behind closed doors.

In the NRL, where 15 of the competition's 16 teams are based in south-east Queensland, desperate attempts were made to hold Saturday's three matches before the decision was made to postpone them.

The league was still hopeful of rescheduling those matches to Sunday, with the potential of moving teams into regional areas or interstate. 

The Super Netball competition is also impacted, having relocated entirely to south-east Queensland to complete its 2021 campaign after lockdowns in South Australia, Victoria and NSW.

In a statement, Netball Australia chief executive Kelly Ryan confirmed the competition would not relocate again and was hopeful of completing the season.

With AAP.

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NSW records 210 local cases of COVID-19, with two-thirds of the new infections under 40 - SBS News

NSW has recorded 210 new local COVID-19 cases, with two-thirds of the infections involving those under the age of 40.

The number of people who were infectious for the whole - or part of - their incubation period is 32. 

Of the new infections, 73 per cent were recorded in the eight locked down local government areas - 81 cases in western Sydney and 72 cases in south-western Sydney. 

New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged younger people to remain aware of the risk of hospitalisation, noting six people in ICU are in their twenties.

"So my message to younger people is, please, understand this is a virus that you can be susceptible to," he told reporters on Saturday.

"You can end up being one of our positive cases and also end up in hospital and also end up transferring the virus to some of your relatives. Those relatives may well end up in hospital and may pass away."

Mr Hazzard said the rates of hospitalisations including younger people shows the Delta variant is "an extremely serious disease".

"It is the younger people who are actually taking up places in our intensive care units in our hospitals," he said.

"In intensive care at the moment, I think a lot of young people would be surprised to know that there are six people in their 20s in intensive care. There are four people in their 30s and there is one person in their 40s. At the moment we have 11 people in intensive care who are all 40 years old or under. That is extremely concerning."

COVID-19 deaths in current outbreak reaches 14 

Mr Hazzard said the government is working to improve communication in languages other than English to ease concerns among migrant families in western and south-western Sydney about seeking hospital treatment. 

A man in his 60s has died in his south-west Sydney home, marking the fourteenth death of this outbreak and the state's 70th COVID-19 fatality. 

"People are worried about their income and if there is one person in the household who is the main income earner, they don't want to come forward," Mr Hazzard said.

"They don't want to tell anybody that they have actually got the virus in the household - and that is very problematic."

Of the new cases, 122 are "mystery cases" with authorities working to identify the source of infection.

Mr Hazzard said translation is proving a challenge for contact tracers, particularly with the large volume of tests.

In the last 24-hour reporting period, 105,963 tests were conducted. 

"I met last week with the senior people amongst the tracer team and the case interviewers and what they were indicating was that translation is an issue for us," he said. 

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"We need to have translators and we do have them of course. And we have the need in some cases to revisit on multiple occasions and one interview with one person can take over a period of time up to eight hours. It is quite substantial.

Vaccine rates improve

Mr Hazzard said there has been stronger uptake of both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine in recent days. 

"What we have seen is a real uptick in willingness to have the vaccine - either one - and I think particularly the opening up of the pharmacies has seen a rapid uptake in the regions and in the city."

He said a request has been made for approval for all 250 NSW pharmacies to provide AstraZeneca. 

In NSW, 18.1 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated and 40.2 per cent have received one dose. In the 24 hours until 8pm on Friday, 3.81 million doses were administered by NSW Health and GPs. Nationally, 18.2 of adults have been fully vaccinated.

There are 203 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in hospital. Of the 53 people in ICU, one person had received only their first dose of Pfizer; and four others had their first dose of AstraZeneca.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that 70 per cent would be the target for population-wide immunity that would trigger a reduction in the use of lockdowns. 

Ms Berejiklian has previously set the goal of 10,000 vaccine doses as a threshold to consider more easing of restrictions. 

Mr Hazzard said if people continue to get vaccinated, we could reach the 70 per cent goal in "perhaps another four months or so".

"It really depends on, I have to say, community coming forward and putting their arm out for a jab."

NSW Health staff attended protest

Mr Hazzard said he is disappointed that some NSW Health staff attended Saturday's anti-lockdown protest. 

"I understand there was one paramedic and either assistant in nursing or nursing staff, and one other. Investigations are continuing.

"It has consequences both under public health orders and potentially under the crimes act. Police are continuing their investigation as well."

He urged those who attended the protest to get a COVID-19 test so that contact tracers can identify any virus transmission.

"I do think there is a whole set of circumstances where people - not just at that protest - but in other circumstances, don't necessarily tell the whole truth.

"I would say to them, please tell the whole truth. Because from the health point of view, we need to know who you have been with, where you have been so we can try and track and trace the virus."

Police prepare for 'large operation'

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Michael Willing said fines of up to $1,000 and criminal sanctions will apply to those who attend anti-lockdown protests this weekend. 

"We don't apologise for today's operation. We have made it very, very clear that people should not go into the city and engage in activity like we saw last week. In terms of the scale, it is a large operation.

"We will have over 1,000 police officers on the street. There are resources in the city, but those resources are mobile. They can be deployed anywhere across greater Sydney and to the outskirts of Sydney as well as they are required."

Eighty-five people have been charged and 300 fines issued over last Saturday's anti-lockdown protest in the Sydney CBD. 

Last night, a 49-year-old man from the Central Coast was charged with criminal offences for online incitement of Saturday's protest.

Non-urgent elective surgeries on hold

Sydney recorded 170 cases on Friday, down on the previous day's pandemic-high of 239 and taking the seven-day total to 1207.

Meanwhile, the city's public hospitals have begun postponing non-urgent elective surgeries to cope with the growing outbreak.

NSW Health said stopping some elective surgeries from Monday would increase capacity for other health services in Greater Sydney.

The change will not affect theatres in Illawarra or Central Coast hospitals.

A new, walk-in AstraZeneca vaccination clinic at Bankstown Sports Club opens for its first full day on Saturday.

Operating 8am to 5pm, it's one of 13 walk-in clinics across the west and southwest. Up to four will be open each day.

A full list of exposure sites can be found here.

Additional reporting: AAP

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NSW records 210 local cases of COVID-19, with two-thirds of the new infections under 40 - SBS News
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‘Stay at home’: Lockdown from 4pm, after six new local Delta cases - Courier Mail

Parts of Queensland will go into a ‘strict’ new three-day lockdown from 4pm, after six new local cases of Covid-19 were recorded overnight - all the highly infectious Delta strain.

Parts of Queensland will go into lockdown from 4pm today, as officials confirm there are six new local cases of Covid-19 - all the highly infectious Delta strain.

There was also one new case of Covid-19 in hotel quarantine.

It is expected the lockdown will last for three days.

In the interests of public health and safety, this Covid-19 story has been unlocked.

The decision to lockdown comes after a 17-year-old girl - a student at Indooroopilly State High School - tested positive to coronavirus.

Both Indooroopilly State High School and nearby Ironside State School students are all in quarantine for 14 days.

SEE THE RESTRICTION DETAILS HERE

The girl’s parents and relatives, as well as a tutor, are among those who tested positive for Covid-19 overnight.

It is believed the girl was unknowingly infectious in the community for three days from Tuesday, including two days while at school.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the lockdown would start at 4pm on Saturday with the 11 local government areas (LGAs) already subject to mask requirements ordered to stay at home.

He said it would be the strictest lockdown Queensland has ever had.

Mr Miles warned that the Covid situation in Queensland was “different” this time, and he urged all Queenslanders to comply with the tough restrictions.

People will only be able to travel within 10km of their home for essential reasons.

Masks will become mandatory for everyone at high schools, including students.

Schools and childcare centres will remain open, but only essential worker parents will be able to send their children.

He said there would be no visitors to homes within those LGAs and tough restrictions will apply to funerals and weddings.

Cinemas and gyms will all close under the lockdown order.

Grocery stores will remain open during the lockdown, with the Deputy Premier urging people to not rush to the supermarkets.

The restrictions will be in place until 4pm Tuesday, but Mr Miles warned it would be subject to what occurs over the coming days.

Mr Miles said it was the government’s intention for there to be a short lockdown.

He said the government would seek to have a compensation package in place for people impacted by the shutdown.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young, who urged Queenslanders to “stay at home”, said she suspected that a medical student, who had tutored the 17-year-old’s younger sibling at home, was the index case.

She said officials were now rapidly contact tracing the medical student, who she said had been to a lot of places.

She said she expected an “enormous” number of exposure sites throughout Brisbane.

“I suspect that that medical student is the index case and has taken it into that household and spread it into that household,” Dr Young said.

She urged anyone to come forward for testing as soon as they experience the first signs of the symptoms.

She said she expected an “enormous” number of exposure sites throughout Brisbane.

Dr Young said it was one of the most restrictive lockdowns in Queensland since the start of the pandemic and she urged anyone who has since left the relevant local government areas to other parts of Queensland to follow the same lockdown orders.

“For the next three days I need everyone in those 11 LGAs who have been wearing masks to stay home and don’t leave unless it’s absolutely critical,” Dr Young said.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said police handed out 127 masks to people yesterday and fined three people including a Coolum cafe business owner who was arrested for refusing to follow directions.

He urged anyone planning to protest the lockdown restrictions to think twice and said any protest would be met with a “strong police presence”.

“Now is not the time for protests in our community,” he said.

“We ask that you don’t go ahead with those protests.”

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‘Stay at home’: Lockdown from 4pm, after six new local Delta cases - Courier Mail
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Victoria records two new local COVID-19 cases, both linked to known outbreaks - ABC News

Victoria has recorded two new local COVID-19 cases, which have both been linked to known outbreaks.

The Health Department says one of the cases was in quarantine throughout the infectious period.

The cases were detected from more than 32,700 test results processed on Friday.

There are 180 active cases in the state.

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Victoria records two new local COVID-19 cases, both linked to known outbreaks - ABC News
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Victoria yet to offer NSW contact-tracing help as local case numbers fall - The Age

The Victorian government says it is still unable to offer contact-tracing support to NSW to help control its growing outbreak, despite recording just three new cases of coronavirus on Friday.

All new locally acquired cases in Victoria were linked to known outbreaks and those infected were isolating for their entire infectious period.

Health Minister Martin Foley said Victoria still needed to ‘mop up’ its own outbreaks on Friday.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

But Health Minister Martin Foley said Victoria was still unable to respond to an open request from NSW to assist with contact tracing until Victoria mopped up its own outbreak.

“We are in constant conversation, not just with NSW but with other states, about what learnings and support we can provide,” he said. “But we have nothing to add at this stage."

On Friday NSW recorded 170 new COVID-19 cases, with 77 linked to a known outbreak or cluster and 93 under investigation.

It was the fifth consecutive day in which a majority of new cases were unlinked and comes almost a fortnight after NSW pleaded for help during a meeting of Australia’s federal and state chief medical officers.

So far the federal, South Australian and Western Australian governments have offered assistance.

“Victorians fully understand what it’s like to be in a tough winter, extending lockdown and we will continue to talk,” Mr Foley said.

In Victoria, there were no new cases in hotel quarantine on Friday and 200 active cases of COVID-19 across the state.

Federal and state governments agreed in principle to a four-phase national plan for reopening during a three-hour national cabinet meeting on Friday.

The Mooney Valley Racecourse testing site has been closed after a traffic controller tested positive.Credit:Nine News

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in the second phase, requiring 70 per cent of the eligible adult population to have two doses of vaccine, lockdowns would be less likely but still possible.

In the third, which requires a threshold of 80 per cent vaccination, the plan is to have “minimum baseline restrictions” without lockdowns on the whole, although highly targeted lockdown might be used where required.

For the final phase, which would include fully reopening international borders, the Doherty Institute did not recommend a vaccination target.

“It is too hard to say what the situation will be down the track,” Mr Morrison said.

There are no timetables for each phase, but the Prime Minister said he hoped to get to the 70 per cent threshold by the end of the year.

Of Victoria’s three new locally acquired cases announced on Friday, one was a household contact of an infected student from Bacchus Marsh Grammar while a second positive case was a resident of the Isola apartment block in Richmond, who lives on the same floor as an infected resident.

A staff member at Trinity Grammar also tested positive but was in isolation on Philip Island for their entire infectious period. Health authorities said that case explained how traces of the virus were detected in the region’s sewage last week.

Victorian Health Department deputy secretary Kate Matson said authorities were still trying to work out how a traffic controller who worked at a drive-through testing site in Moonee Ponds caught COVID-19.

She said genomic testing linked the case to the Maribyrnong Ariele Apartments cluster but it is not known how the man in his 20s contracted the virus, despite extensive testing among his colleagues and social contacts.

“I’m pleased to report that we have 48 out of 58 results back from his colleagues at the Moonee Valley racecourse testing site, and thus far, they are negative," she said.

Mr Foley said it would not be listed as a 'mystery case' because heath authorities knew its origin.

"We are looking hard for that direct link," he said.

Mr Foley said the falling case numbers showed the state’s response to the pandemic was working, but warned "we’re not there yet".

He urged residents in Melbourne’s east and west to get tested at the “slightest signs” of COVID-19 after fragments of the virus were detected in wastewater centred around Camberwell and Caroline Springs.

As Tasmania re-opened its border with Victoria yesterday, Victorians in NSW and the ACT will remain locked out of the state until at least Tuesday when a current ban is due to expire. But Mr Foley hinted that the tough border rules blocking residents without an exemption from returning could remain in place.

“Those extreme designations cause significant problems for people wanting to enter into Victoria, but they are there for very good reasons. They are there to keep us safe.”

With Katina Curtis

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Local lads prepare to swim massive distance from Green Island to Cairns - TropicNow

A few local lads are gearing up to take on a long-distance swim only attempted by three other people in history.

Jesse O’Hara and Joel Little will swim at least 27 kilometres from Green Island to Cairns, expected to take the pair about 10 hours to complete.

Marijn Kerkhoven also put his hand up to join them in the challenge soon after the fundraiser was announced.  

The enormous feat – due to take place in September when weather permits – is all in the name of raising funds and awareness for local organisation AFL Cape York House Foundation.

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The trio will undertake the swim in marathon conditions, meaning they’ll receive water and food from a support crew travelling alongside but won’t be able to touch the boat at any point.

Considering tides and currents, it’s likely to be at least 30 kilometres – a similar distance to similar distance to the English Channel crossing.

Jesse said while the swim will be physically and mentally challenging, knowing it’s for an important cause will provide strong incentive for the team.

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“For me, having a noble cause to train and to strive for is going to make the turmoil of the actual event a lot easier to deal with,” Jesse said.

“With these kinds of physical endeavours, you’re potentially swimming for 10 or 12 hours, and your mind can go into really dark places.

“But if you’re keeping yourself accountable by representing and raising money for a good cause then I’m hoping that will help me get across the line.”

Dubbed ‘Swim the Gap’, the challenge is inspired by the gap in education outcomes for Indigenous people and the work AFL Cape York House Foundation does to combat it.

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New local EV construction challenger cashes up | News - Owner//Driver

By: Fabian Cotter

Date: 29.07.2021

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True Green gains investment for Nexport’s production, including for freight

The flexible Nexport platform concept

An intriguing potential new entrant into the Australian commercial electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing market may have transport and logistics (T&L) potential.

Australian 'clean tech' investor True Green – the portfolio of which includes electric bus transport and technology group Nexport Mobility – has secured A$110 million to advance its e-bus and EV making capability nationwide, to OwnerDriver sister publication Australasian Bus and Coach (ABC) has reported.

However, elsewhere, it is reported and images show that a vehicle platform suitable for carrying freight, the DLX, is in the mix.

The development comes two years after Nexport and Macquarie Group’s Corporate and Asset Finance (CAF) linked with Chinese electric commercial vehicle and lithium-ion battery manufacturer BYD in a deal bringing its battery electric light-duty vehicles to Australia and New Zealand.

Hong Kong-based Tor Investment Management, a private alternative asset manager focused on Asia-Pacific markets with more than US$2 billion (A$3 billion) in assets under management, provided the new funding line, True Green Impact Group confirmed to ABC.

Burnvoir Corporate Finance supplied financial advice for the raise.

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Read about the deal to bring BYD trucks to Australasia, here

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Environmental, social and governance (ESG) accelerator and active impact investor True Green will use the funds as growth capital for the Nexport Group, which is currently leading the clean mobility-tech evolution across Australia, it states.

This includes boosted funding to support the NSW government with its transition to an electric bus fleet and to introduce a range of mobility product offerings to the corporate and consumer markets, it explains.

The funding injection also supports the renaissance of clean-tech manufacturing in Australia with Nexport, as reported earlier, to establish a large-scale production facility at a 94-hectare eco-hub hub in the NSW Southern Highlands region of Moss Vale – being developed by the True Green Group, it confirms.

Tritium connection

Following a recent Australian Financial Review (AFR) report that cited Nexport Mobility planning to team up with charging group Tritium to make electric vehicles in Brisbane, True Green executive director Luke Todd – as he confirmed a A$110 million funding injection – stated to the AFR: "We’re very excited about the recent Olympics news because we believe a key part of Brisbane and the Olympics is hopefully going to be the first zero-emission Olympics.

"We’re in detailed discussions with Tritium about having a joint facility where we’ll be manufacturing EV products in Brisbane."

As the AFR reported, Todd described Brisbane-headquartered Tritium as a "business cousin" because both Tritium, which makes fast-chargers for electric vehicles, and Nexport Mobility are backed by Trevor St Baker’s St Baker Energy Innovation Fund.

It cited Nexport wanting to build a battery testing facility in Brisbane in partnership with Tritium, so it can demonstrate the safety of electric batteries.

Todd told the AFR: "Hopefully one day if we’re making batteries in Australia, whether it’s us or ...some other entities, this will be a facility that would be an open platform type facility where anyone could come along and our team of technicians would work with them to test the batteries."

The AFR report added that Nexport also hopes to build electric buses and logistics trucks in Brisbane alongside Tritium’s manufacturing plant for charging stations.

"That then starts to create this whole ecosystem of clean tech industry that hopefully puts Brisbane, and other parts of Australia, on the map globally as a renowned trusted quality manufacturer of products and chargers."

Given his recent comments which seemed to focus on True Green's EV endeavours in Queensland, ABC magazine asked Todd if this was a new focus, or was it still on NSW, or if there was some 60/40, 70/30 split either way envisaged for direction of True Green/Nexport funding and resources to both.

"We are focused both on NSW, Victoria, Queensland and also the ACT ... each is equally important," Todd replied.

The locally produced electric vehicles (EVs) will be developed in conjunction with BYD Auto, of which American business magnate and investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns 8.2 per cent, sources confirm.

 

According to True Green, the funding, "...significantly bolsters the group’s balance sheet and provides a clear runway to a potential IPO in early 2022."

Additionally it, "...marks TrueGreen’s push to bring manufacturing back to Australia and [the] Southern Highlands region" of NSW.

It also highlights the ongoing demand from government organisations and other large corporate groups for sustainable alternatives, as Australia urges closer to net-zero emissions, it explains.

Nexport received considerable demand from a range of international investment groups, which well exceeded the A$110 million needed, True Green noted.

This funding follows the completion of a successful capital raise in May, 2021, when Nexport secured A$20 million from the St Baker Energy Innovation Fund.

 "To have secured this funding is a major coup for Nexport. It exceeded the total amount we were initially seeking and comes from a major international fund, highlighting the broad reach and potential applicability of our vehicles," Todd said.

"The group now has the necessary financial flexibility to progress a number of opportunities and bring advanced manufacturing back to Australia and transform EV adoption from aspirational to mainstream," Todd explained.

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NSW records 170 local COVID-19 cases, 42 infectious while in the community - ABC News

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned anyone planning to attend an anti-lockdown protest in Sydney tomorrow could be giving their loved ones a "death sentence" after NSW recorded 170 new COVID-19 cases.

There were 42 people active in the community while infectious and a further 10 who were active for part of their infectious period.

Of these new cases, 77 were linked to a known case or cluster but 93 remain under investigation.

Ms Berejiklian issued a warning to anyone thinking of attending another anti-lockdown protest following last week's illegal demonstration which thousands attended.

"Your actions will hurt, forget about the rest of us, but you could be taking the disease home and passing it on to your parents, your siblings, your brothers and sisters or anybody you might have limited contact with," she said.

LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic

"Do not give those you love the most a death sentence."

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said he wasn't expecting the same turnout as last Saturday but warned anyone who planned to attend would be met by 1,000 police officers who will be ready to mobilise to any part of Greater Sydney. 

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Mick Fuller says 1,000 police officers on standby to deal with protesters in Sydney

"This is such an important time for New South Wales in terms of winning the battle against the virus and coming into town to protest is not the answer," he said.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant issued a grim message about the consequences of people infected with COVID-19 leaving it too late to get medical care.

Dr Chant said she had been "struck by the tragedy" of people with COVID-19 dying because they didn't access health care soon enough.

"We've had a number of people that are presented to hospital severely unwell and sometimes dead," she said.

"There shouldn't be any barriers to people ringing an ambulance and coming to healthcare."

Dr Chant said she wasn't aware of any cases being linked to last weekend's protest yet but said one person who attempted to attend has since tested positive to COVID-19.

"We're just working police to ascertain whether that person did attend. The police did indicate they had turned the person around and they had been given an infringement notice," she said.

Police officers conduct compliance checks in Parramatta.(

ABC News: Tim Swanston

)

Commissioner Fuller, who yesterday requested the help of the Australian Defence Force to crack down on non-compliance, said police were now concerned about infected people not staying home.

He said this morning a man who knew he was COVID-19 positive was caught working on a construction site and warned anyone with the virus to expect a knock on the door from police.

"If you are not home, we will take action against you," he said.

NSW COVID-19 exposure sites

A 7-Eleven in Sydney's inner west is among new venues added to NSW Health's list of COVID-19 exposure sites.

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The Premier announced from August 9 the Qudos Bank Arena at Sydney Olympic Park would become a vaccination centre for year 12 students who are returning to school on August 16.

Only students from the eight local government areas of concern (Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Georges River, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Cumberland, Parramatta and Blacktown) will be eligible for a Pfizer vaccine at the centre, with doses being redirected from regional NSW.

After those approximately 20,000 students have had their first dose the Premier said the centre will open to the general public.

Ms Berejiklian said over 3.6 million jabs have already been administered so the state is a third of the way to the goal of 10 million.

"Come on Greater Sydney, I'm calling on all to come forward and get vaccinated.

"The quicker we get vaccinated, the quicker we can live more freely."

Ms Berejiklian said while there were “considerably less” new cases than yesterday, she expected to see case numbers “bounce around” in coming days.

More than 95,000 tests were conducted yesterday.

There are currently 187 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 58 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation.

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Victoria records two new local COVID-19 cases as authorities find link in mystery case - SBS News

Victorian health authorities reported two new local COVID-19 cases on Friday, as contact tracers said they have managed to link a mystery case identified on Thursday to current outbreaks in the state.

The two new COVID-19 cases were in isolation during their entire infectious period and have been linked to known cases. 

Victorian officials said they are still trying to discover how a mystery case identified on Thursday managed to catch the virus. He was working as a traffic controller at the Moonee Valley drive-through testing site.

He tested positive on Wednesday, two days after developing symptoms, and his close contacts have so far tested negative.

On Thursday, Victoria's acting Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie warned authorities "may not find the smoking gun" of how he caught the virus.

It's believed the man had not been vaccinated despite being eligible as a frontline worker.

The state recorded seven local cases on Thursday, of which six have been in isolation while infectious.

Among them were four students from Bacchus Marsh College, and two household contacts linked to the Lacrosse apartments in Docklands, where 500 people are in isolation for 14 days.

Separately, a positive case who was isolating while infectious has also been reported in the Bass Coast Shire, to be included in Friday's official tally.

Meanwhile residents of a Hawthorn apartment building have also been told to quarantine, as about 13,000 people remain in isolation across the state.

A full list of Victoria's coronavirus exposures sites can be found here.

Authorities are also urging people in Balwyn, Camberwell, Canterbury, Mont Albert and Surrey Hills to get tested if they have even mild symptoms, after wastewater testing in the area showed virus fragments.

There are 205 active cases in Victoria.

More than 42,000 test results were received in the past 24 hours, while about 19,000 vaccine doses were administered at state-run sites during the same period.

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Victoria records two new local COVID-19 cases as authorities find link in mystery case - SBS News
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‘Reality has set in’: COVID treatments a challenge for local industry - Sydney Morning Herald

Major healthcare investors say Aussie diagnostics companies have had an edge over drug developers in the fight against COVID-19, with limited progress made so far on virus treatments.

Across the S&P/ASX200 index, several healthcare firms including CSL have poured resources into research for virus treatments, though many projects have been shelved or remain in clinical trials. No home-grown COVID treatment hase been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

In contrast, Australia has been able to make a name for itself in the diagnostics market, where rapid testing companies have become world leaders in tracking the virus.

Thousands of clinical trials across the globe have been chasing treatments for COVID-19.

Nine Webster, head of biopharma company Dimerix, admits the sheer number of studies into treatments of the virus has caused some “COVID fatigue with investors” across the sector.

“The expectation was that regulators were [accelerating] pathways for COVID studies,” she said. “The reality is this is just not the case.”

Dimerix’s flagship compound DMX-200 product is in two clinical trials for use in patients with pneumonia from the virus. Dr Webster says despite the challenges, the research could bear significant fruits for treating respiratory diseases in general.

‘With all the initial enthusiasm for trialling drugs that may be effective in treatment, it has been very challenging. The initial enthusiasm has been tempered by the reality, which has set in.’

Venture capitalist Paul Kelly

More than a year on from the start of the pandemic, healthcare investors says the unique challenges of coronavirus research must be acknowledged. Paul Kelly, the founder of venture capital firm OneVentures, said that while thousands of projects into treatments have been launched, setting up these trials has become increasingly difficult for countries like Australia, where there have been relatively few cases of the virus.

“With all the initial enthusiasm for trialling drugs that may be effective in treatment, it has been very challenging. The initial enthusiasm has been tempered by the reality, which has set in,” he said.

ASX-listed operators Starpharma and Mesoblast have made some of the most significant progress on treatments for the virus. But they too have hit hurdles along the way.

Starpharma’s preventative nasal spray is not registered in Australia but has been sold overseas, though it has caught the attention of medicines regulators due to some of its advertising claims about the product.

Mesoblast is still working on getting its flagship product approved for the treatment of acute respiratory distress due to the virus, but cut its phase 3 clinical trial short last year after it failed to meet a primary goal. The company is now looking to meet with the US Food and Drug Administration to discuss how to get the product approved.

While finding COVID treatments has hit roadblocks in Australia, the nation’s rapid testing companies have become a global success.

Many of these remain unlisted, like over-the-counter COVID tester Ellume and Platinum-backed SpeedX, which released a tool for analysing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus this week.

“For rapid and fast turnaround testing, those businesses have benefited tremendously,” Dr Kelly said. “It has been a great opportunity for Australian companies advancing in that area.”

Victor Windeyer, the portfolio manager of investment house Australian Unity’s $200 million healthcare fund, says the speed with which vaccines and other products have come to market has been “incredibly exciting”, but he is looking beyond Australian COVID treatment projects for investment opportunities.

Mr Windeyer’s fund was an early backer of rapid tester Lumos Diagnostics, and the investor concurs that testing businesses have made a greater impact during the pandemic so far.

“The question for them I think is whether that creates a sustainable position for them in the market in the longer term?“, he said.

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‘Reality has set in’: COVID treatments a challenge for local industry - Sydney Morning Herald
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