SYDNEY, Jul 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) recorded today, a new daily high of 172 cases, in the 24 hours to 8:00 p.m. last night, while health authorities continue to push vaccination as the way forward.
Amid the rising case numbers and hospitalisations, NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, called for residents to “be patient” and to get vaccinated.
“We know that the strategy of restrictions and vaccines will be our recipe for freedom, and that’s what all of us are looking forward to,” said Berejiklian.
Seeing increased rates of vaccinations as a path to bringing Sydney’s outbreak under control, the NSW government announced today that, pharmacies across Sydney will begin offering walk-in vaccinations of AstraZeneca to all individuals over 18.
The decision came, following a Saturday statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, that urged people over 18 in Sydney, to get the shot “on the basis of the increasing risk of COVID-19.”
NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, said, the state’s Pfizer supply is running thin and will not be able to meet demand over the next few weeks.
In NSW, there are currently 169 COVID patients who have been admitted to hospital, 46 of whom are in intensive care, and 19 who require ventilation. Two women in their 80s passed away, bringing the state’s death toll from the current outbreak to 10.
Meanwhile, Premier, Daniel Andrews, of the neighbouring state of Victoria, announced that from midnight Melbourne will begin to ease its lockdown restrictions as planned.
Despite recording 10 new locally acquired cases, Victoria prepares to cautiously ease restrictions, after its third consecutive day of having all new cases in complete isolation throughout their infectious period.
From 11:59 p.m. to night, Victorians will be able to leave homes for any reason. Restaurants and cafes can also reopen for seated service. Retail and beauty and personal care will open, in line with density limits, as will entertainment venues and community facilities.
Schools will recommence and office workers will be able to return up to 25 percent or up to 10 people. However, gatherings in the home are still not permitted, and masks are still required everywhere, indoors and outdoors, except private residences.
Similarly, South Australian Premier, Steven Marshall, announced today that, after recording no new cases overnight, the state remained on track to exit their lockdown from midnight.– NNN-AGENCIES
