It’s been another day of chaotic Covid-19 news and press conferences across the country, so we’ve collated the key information from each state to keep you up to date with what’s going on.
On Tuesday afternoon, Health Minister Greg Hunt gave a briefing of the current situation and shared some encouraging vaccination and influenza statistics. According to the minister, 11 per cent (2.9 million) of the eligible population are now fully vaccinated and 35.7 per cent (7.3 million) have received their first vaccine dose. About 60 per cent of over 50s, 68 per cent of over 60s and 75.5 per cent of over 70s have now received one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Hunt also revealed that in an average year the nation would have had 53,000 diagnosed flu cases and 157 lives lost but said currently Australia has recorded just 408 cases and zero lives lost.
The minister said Australia is in a ‘”vastly better place” this time around. “Here is a global pandemic, and while we have deep challenges, these challenges are lastly lessened and seen in so many other countries,” he said. “We have done this before, a year ago we went through the agony and ravages of the Victorian second wave, we are in a vastly better place this time, we have gone through vaccinations and the lessons learned from that period. And we can do it and will do it again.”
Victoria
Victoria has extended its week-long lockdown for “at least another seven days” after the state recorded another 13 new cases, bringing the total number of cases to 96. The state was due to come out of lockdown at midnight on Tuesday, however, Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday morning that it would continue until midnight on July 27.
“We need to avoid what is going on in Sydney at the moment, and we are determined to do that,” he said.
Of the new cases, 12 have been linked to the current outbreaks and one is under investigation.
Stay up to date with the most current Victorian Covid-19 information here.
New South Wales
The daily case numbers in New South Wales have dropped a little from recent days, with the state recording 78 cases in 24 hours from 8pm on Monday. Despite the drop, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant did warn the state over a number of unlinked cases in Sydney currently under investigation.
Of the 78 cases reported on Tuesday, 49 are linked to a known case or cluster, while 29 cases are under investigation to find out the source. Of the 78, 37 were in isolation during their infectious period, eight were in isolation for part of their infectious period, 21 were infectious in the community and 12 remain under investigation.
Stay at home orders are currently in place for Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
Regional New South Wales has been on high alert for the past few days, with cases confirmed in Coffs Harbour and Orange.
You can find out more about latest New South Wales case locations and alerts here.
South Australia
On Tuesday morning South Australia announced a statewide shutdown after two new cases of Covid-19 were detected in the community. There are now five cases of Covid-19 active in the state.
New restrictions will come into effect as of 6pm Tuesday, July 20. There will be just five essential reasons to leave your home including; essential work, shopping for essential goods and services, medical reasons (inc. vaccination and testing), caregiving and exercise (with people from the same household).
You can find more details and the latest updates here.
Queensland
One new local Covid-19 case has been recorded in Queensland, bringing the total active case numbers in the state to 36.
The woman was infectious while in the community from July 15 to 17, especially around the Sunshine Coast area.
Two additional cases were detected in hotel quarantine.
Find out more about the exposure sites and lockdown rules here.
Western Australia
On Tuesday afternoon two more crew from the BBC California ship off Western Australia test positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of people infected onboard to 10.
All BBC California crew members have been tested and will remain onboard isolated in their rooms until further notice.
Following the announcement of a lockdown in South Australia, Western Australia has tightened its borders with the state.
On Tuesday, Premier Mark McGowan said the new rules would be effective immediately and anyone arriving in Western Australia from South Australia, or who has travelled through SA since July 8, will have to self-quarantine for 14 days and present for a Covid-19 test on day 12.
Read more about Western Australia here.
ACT
It’s been a doughnut day for the capital territory, though stay-at-home orders are in place for Canberrans returning home after travelling to Victoria or New South Wales. There are currently 295 people under stay-at-home orders after spending time in Victoria, and 517 after being in Greater Sydney.
Stay up to date with ACT Covid-19 news here.
Tasmania
Tasmania has now declared New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia as ‘high-risk’ which means anyone from these states will not be allowed to enter the state.
Stay up to date with Tassie Covid-19 news here.
Northern Territory
No news to report from the NT. You can stay up to date with any breaking news or alerts here.
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