#AceHealthReport – Aug.01: The order was announced on Saturday afternoon after Tasmania’s border was closed to several local government areas (LGAs) including Greater Brisbane from 4:00pm.

#CoronavirusNewsDesk says Tasmania orders 11,000 recent arrivals to stay at home after government closes its borders to south-east Queensland travellers AND South-east Queensland in lockdown from 4:00pm today will go into a snap three-day lockdown after six new locally acquired cases of the #Delta #COVID19 variant were reported.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the Greater Brisbane area would be declared a level 2 high-risk area after Queensland imposed a snap three-day lockdown to combat an outbreak of the Delta variant of coronavirus.

Tasmanians currently in the south-east Queensland area are able to return to the state, but will be required to quarantine at a suitable premises, either at home or a quarantine hotel, for a fortnight.

“We have the best border controls in the country in terms of the Tas E-Travel app. We’ll be sending out texts this afternoon to those people that are affected,” Mr Gutwein said.

Those affected by the stay-at-home order can leave home for shopping for essential goods and services, medical care needs, exercise or work or study if it cannot be done at home.

Exercise must be outdoors and within 5 kilometres of home. It can be done by yourself, with other householders or with one other person.

Being vaccinated is not a reason to leave home, so anyone who has a vaccination appointment is asked to call the public health hotline on 1800 671 738 and rebook.

Everyone under a stay-at-home order must wear a mask outside their home.

Anyone who experiences any possible COVID-19 symptoms must organise a test as soon as possible.

The order includes AFL fans who have entered the state for Sunday’s match between Hawthorn and Brisbane at Launceston’s York Park. The match is expected to go ahead, however.

“[The players] returned a negative test prior to arriving in the state today,” Mr Gutwein said.

“They will not have contact with the public while here, flying in and out on a chartered plane.”

The Premier said he realised people would be disappointed, particularly if they had just arrived from Queensland.

Tasmania’s Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Scott McKeown said the stay-at-home orders will be reassessed as the risk from Queensland becomes clearer.

“We believe the risk is so significant, we need to ensure these people remain at home,” he said.

“We have to respond quickly to protect Tasmania. We know it will be difficult.”

Tasmania remains closed to people coming from New South Wales, and to people who have been at specified high-risk premises in Victoria and South Australia.

Mr Gutwein is encouraging people aged 30 to 39 to take the opportunity to get vaccinated now they have been deemed eligible.

“We know from what’s happened in New South Wales, that’s the group that moves around the community most; they go to bars, they go to restaurants they go to functions, they go to work,” he said.

“What we are doing is giving ourselves the best opportunity to ensure that we limit the spread of this disease.

“Around 44 per cent of people [Tasmanians] have received the first jab, nearly 23 per cent have been fully vaccinated.”

Here are the key COVID developments from Saturday: 

• Six new cases of the Delta COVID variant has plunged most of south-east Queensland into lockdown for at least three days
• NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard says people critically ill with COVID-19 are being hidden from authorities
• Victoria has tweaked its vaccine rollout, with two new cases of COVID both linked to a mystery infection recorded
• Scott Morrison says he believes the country’s 70 per cent vaccination target is achievable despite refusing to put a time frame on it
• A purpose-built, dedicated COVID-19 quarantine hub will be built at Jandakot Airport in Western Australia

Catch up on Saturday’s news as it happened: 

Key events

Live updates

Saturday’s case numbers and press conferences

NSW: 212 new cases. 210 locally acquired, two overseas acquired. Watch today’s press conference here

VIC: Two new cases, both linked to known cases. Watch today’s press conference here

QLD: Six new locally acquired cases. One new overseas acquired case. Watch today’s press conference here

SA, ACT, WA, NT, TAS: No new cases reported today

That’s all for today

Thanks for joining us. 

Keep an eye on the contact tracing lists that are relevant to you overnight (QLD, NSW, VIC) and stay up to date here and here.

Queensland’s list of exposure sites has been updated

Just bringing this back up to the top of the blog.

Newest additions to the close contact list: 

• Blunder Road Country Markets, Oxley — Sunday, July 25 8:30am-9:10am
• ALDI Oxley — Sunday, July 25 8:55am-9:25am
• Chemist Warehouse Oxley — Sunday, July 25 9:10am-9:30am
• McDonalds Jindalee — Sunday, July 25 6:20pm-6:55pm
• Bus route 66 to PA Hospital Station — Wednesday, July 28 12:20pm-12:40pm
• Bus route 29 to UQ Lakes Station — Wednesday, July 28 2:30pm-2:50pm
• Southbank TAFE room 501 — Wednesday, July 28 7pm-9pm
• Highgrove Bathrooms East Brisbane — Thursday, July 29 11am-11:25am
• Coles Jindalee — Thursday, July 29 2:55pm-3:15pm
• Terry White Chemmart Jindalee — Thursday, July 29 3pm-3:20pm
• Bus route 412 to UQ Chancellor’s Place — Friday, July 30 9:25am-9:55am

The latest sites on the casual contact list: 

• Bunnings Mount Gravatt, Wecker Road — Wednesday, July 28 7am-7:35am
• Bunnings Mount Gravatt, Wecker Road — Thursday, July 29 12:30pm-1:05pm

And there have been some additions to the low-risk contact list: 

• UQ Lakes Bus Station North platform D and E — Wednesday, July 28 12:15pm-12:20pm
• Southbank TAFE campus — Wednesday, July 28 6pm-9pm

There will be more updates to come. Here’s the link.

Lions vs Hawks will go ahead at this stage

Peter Gutwein says all the relevant players have tested negative, will have no contact with the public and are travelling on chartered planes.

People in Tasmania who have been in Queensland must isolate immediately

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein says the Queensland situation has escalated overnight, meaning the lockdown zones will be classified as level two high-risk.

In addition to border closures, he says anyone in Tasmania who has been in any of the lockdown LGAs in Queensland since 12:01pm on July 17 must isolate now.

“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,” he says. 

A stay-at-home order will be in place for those people from 6pm tonight, and will apply for at least three days.

Press conference starting in Tasmania soon

It’s being streamed live on Facebook.

ICYMI earlier, Tasmania has closed its border to most of south-east Queensland in response to the snap lockdown.

If the Ekka is cancelled, can we have a drive through strawberry sundae with every covid test?

-Ekka strawberry sundae fan

Lockdown’s just started, but it’s already quiet ’round town

Usually South Brisbane would just be heating up at this time on a Saturday, with sport to watch, food to eat, drinks to drink, friends to see.

Not today.

This is the situation at The Fox Hotel as of just a few minutes ago: (ABC News: Brian Hurst)(ABC News: Brian Hurst)

After their fifth lockdown, Victorian kids get back to community sport

Nora and Lulu are loving being back out in the sunshine.

On a sunny Melbourne day, Victorian kids cooped up and learning online for their fifth lockdown have been able to get back to one of the state’s favourite pastimes — footy.

Seven-year-old Nora was one of the thousands of young Victorians to play a game of Auskick today.

“It was nice because I got to play games with my friends, and it was really fun, and I did some kicks and I ran around,” she says.

“It was really, really, really fun!”

Nora said she felt “a bit bored” during the lockdown, and “was feeling really happy” ahead of the weekend once lockdown lifted.

Her mother Lulu said it was “amazing” to see her daughter back on the field, after being worried she had not got enough time outside during lockdown.It’s been a good day, Andrea (left) says.

Six-year-old Axel said his favourite part of the day was “winning two matches in the footy”.

“We’re all very happy, aren’t we boys, to be back out in the sunshine,” his mother Andrea said —and received some enthusiastic nods from the children.

“I just hope we get to stay this way, I’m feeling very grateful  that Melbourne’s open and feeling sorry for those other places that are in lockdown.”

Pictures and words by Nicole Asher

Reminder: You are not alone

Lots of us all around Australia can’t physically surround ourselves with our loved ones right now. But it’s temporary, and even in lockdown, there are people here for you.

If you need someone to talk to, call:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
QLife on 1800 184 527

Southeast Queensland is officially back in lockdown

Ding ding ding — there goes the 4pm bell.

Hope everyone’s safely at home and only leaving for absolutely essential reasons in a COVID-safe way.

And no new cases in SA either

Donuts for all.

No new cases in WA today

We love a zero day.

WA’s health department says: 

There are now 12 active COVID-19 cases being monitored by WA Health: two in hospital from the MV Darya Krishna; one in hotel quarantine from MV Darya Krishna; the six onboard the MV Darya Krishna and three onboard the MV BBC California.

One MV Darya Krishna crew member remains in ICU in a stable condition. One remains in a stable condition on a respiratory ward, and one was transferred to a SHICC hotel yesterday.

We’re expected to hear from the Tasmanian Premier in about 40 minutes

Is the Delta COVID strain more transmissible than chicken pox? 

Deputy CMO Michael Kidd was asked that question at his briefing, and said: 

“What we certainly know is that the Delta strain is significantly more transmissible than the previous variants of concern which we had in Australia, and much more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus that we had coming into Australia over 18 months ago,” he says.

“So we are very concerned about how transmissible this Delta strain is. What we’re seeing is that if one is infected with the Delta strain, often every member of their family, every household contact, is also being infected with the Delta strain. It is again absolutely imperative that everybody is following the restrictions in place.

“We have to bring this outbreak in Sydney, and we have to bring this new outbreak in Queensland, under control while we are still vaccinating a population.”

Authorities concerned about both Queensland and NSW

Here’s Michael Kidd: 

“It is up to each of us to play our part (in) bringing these outbreaks of the Delta variant of COVID-19 under control. Please do the right thing, and follow the restrictions in place in your state or territory.

“If you breach the restrictions, you are not only putting your own health and well-being at risk, you are putting at risk your loved ones, and people in the wider community.”

Federal support for Queensland 

Deputy CMO Michael Kidd has called on Queenslanders to follow government directions with less than half an hour before lockdown officially starts. 

“Due to the increased risk posed by the Delta variant, the unknown source of acquisition for the initial case, and those cases having been infectious in the community providing opportunities for further onward transmission, the Commonwealth will be offering the following support and assistance: Provision of personal detective equipment from the National medical stockpile, actions for aged care facilities including personal protective equipment, single site worker supplementation, and integration of an aged care response centre into the public health emergency operation centre in Queensland.

“Also, assistance with contact tracing has been requested by Queensland, asymptomatic testing will be made available by general practitioner lead respiratory clinics, we will reprioritise vaccine supplies if required.” 

4 billion vaccinations globally

More than 4 billion COVID vaccine doses have been administered around the world so far, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Johns Hopkins has China leading the charge for the highest number of people vaccinated, followed by the US and India, but as far as percentage of the population goes, Malta, the UAE and Seychelles are leading that tally.

Almost 200 million cases have been recorded worldwide.

What’s the chain of COVID-19 transmission that sent south-east Queensland into lockdown?

Spoiler alert — there are some gaps in that chain right now, that authorities are desperately trying to fill.

Here’s everything we know so far.

Queensland lockdown map

(Twitter/Annastacia Palaszczuk)

You can also see the map at this link here.

#AceHealthDesk report …..Published: Aug.01: 2021:

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