Covid update - Friday
23rd July 2021
COVID UPDATE - Friday July 23 We're hanging in there - we've now gone 351 days without community transmission in the Lake Macquarie-Newcastle area. However, the situation in Sydney continues to worsen and is now regarded as a national emergency. Two more council areas have been added to the full lockdown - Cumberland and Blacktown join Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury-Bankstown. NSW Health is seeking an urgent rollout of vaccines in those council areas. It has asked the Federal Govt to refocus the national vaccination strategy, taking vaccines away from States and areas where there is no virus and putting them into areas where they are urgently needed. In the 24 hours to 8pm last night, Sydney recorded another 136 cases of community transmission. Of those people, 53 were active in the Sydney community while infectious. There are 137 people in NSW hospitals with Covid-related illness with 32 people in ICU and 14 on ventilators. Another death has been recorded overnight. There is no doubt that existing restrictions in Sydney will be extended beyond next Friday. The Premier has said new arrangements will likely be announced on Monday. At this stage, we're not likely to see changes to restrictions in the local area, but as I've been advocating for, we must have stricter rules on people leaving the Sydney area and coming into ours. I also need to add that changes to mask rules were signed into law last night by the Health Minister. People who are exempt from wearing a mask in indoor areas etc (because of a disability, physical or mental health illness or other condition), must now carry a medical certificate or letter from a health professional (including an NDIS provider) which confirms that exemption. Please remember to use common sense when moving around the place and get tested immediately if you experience any symptoms. Please stay vigilant and stay safe!