Coronavirus Australia: Infections shake east coast as virus lurks

NSW has recorded another nine deaths and 1542 cases this morning.

The nine deaths were a man in his 30s, a woman in her 40s, two people in their 50s, two in their 60s, two in their 70s and a woman in her 80s.

There are 1156 patients in hospital, with 207 in intensive care and 89 on ventilators.

Police are cracking down on compliance measures as authorities battle to contain the spread of the virulent Delta strain.

But some regional areas of NSW, such as the north coast and the Riverina, will exit lockdown tomorrow.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian today going against health advice by unveiling plans to reopen for the fully vaccinated at 70 per cent double-dose coverage.

However, she acknowledged her need to “weigh up health advice with public policy”.

The unvaccinated in NSW have a little over a month to get double-jabbed if they want to visit friends, dine out, travel to the regions or go to the barber or gym.

Under a roadmap out of lockdown announced by Ms Berejiklian yesterday, a suite of restrictions will be eased when 70 per cent of the State’s eligible residents are fully vaccinated.

ACT HALF VACCINATED AMID 24 CASES

Canberra has become Australia’s first jurisdiction to vaccinate half of its over-16 population as the ACT recorded 24 new infections.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said just over half of that age cohort had been double-dosed.

He expects the ACT to hit 75 per cent first doses for over-16s over the weekend as thousands of additional Pfizer appointments open up.

These 30,000 extra appointments will be available over the next six weeks at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Mr Barr also suggested outdoor recreation such as golf and tennis and national parks might be back on soon as restrictions start to ease.

“This is not about the recommencement of organised sport but it would be safe, managed, small gatherings,” he said.

“It’s on the agenda, it’s being considered.”

But he stressed gatherings at homes would likely remain off the cards.

Canberra remains in lockdown until at least midnight next Friday.

MYSTERY INFECTION IN QLD

A Brisbane student has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the closure of a school at Sunnybank.

Parents have been told to immediately collect their children from St Thomas More College and go into home quarantine.

All households with children at the school will have to isolate for 14 days while authorities determine if the student, a 13-year-old girl, has passed on the infection.

It is the second new locally-acquired case in Queensland in two days.

It’s not yet clear if there is any connection between the student and a NSW truck driver who was infectious in the community at Archerfield and Mt Gravatt, in southern Brisbane, on Sunday and Monday.

The driver, aged in his 20s, tested positive in NSW after returning from Queensland. He had had one dose of a vaccine.

ONE DEATH AMONG 334 VIC CASES

Victoria has recorded 334 new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases and one death, as lockdown lifts for most of the State’s regions.

The Health Department this morning confirmed that 149 cases were linked to known outbreaks, with the source of the remaining 185 under investigation.

There were no details on the death, the State’s fourth due to the latest outbreak.

It brings the total number of active cases in the state to 2426.

In the 24 hours to yesterday morning, 42,998 tests were processed and 39,027 Victorians received a vaccine dose at a State-run hub, beating Wednesday’s record of 37,604 jabs.

It comes as all of regional Victoria, with the exception of Greater Shepparton, has exited lockdown, with cafes, restaurants and bars able to open with strict patron limits.

Schools can reopen from today for years prep to two, and Year 12, but all other students must continue their studies remotely.

From today, the Government will also allow Victorians who have been stuck on the NSW side of the border since late August to apply for a new permit to return home.

Successful applicants will have to drive home and isolate for 14 days.

Melbourne will not have any easings from strict lockdown until at least 70 per cent of the eligible population receive their first vaccine dose.

So far it has only been suggested Melburnians will get an extra hour of outdoor activity and the five-kilometre travel radius will be expanded to 10km when it reaches that target.

There has been no indication of what freedoms will be permitted when 70 and 80 per cent of the population is double-vaccinated.