Thread by @AnnaVidot

ACT COVID update 2 Sept

12 new cases
6 linked
6 under investigation
4 in quarantine throughout
8 infectious in community

13 in hospital
4 in ICU
2 ventilated (Previously reported woman in her 40s, and now also an unvaccinated man in his 20s w no prior conditions)

2500 tests conducted in #Canberra yesterday

Barr: "This is just not high enough. The virus is out in our community. It is critical, if you have symptoms, to get tested as soon as possible."

VACCINATION

68% 1 dose
44.5% 2 doses
...for 16yo+ population

In "an Australian first", Canberra residents aged 75-79 is the first cohort in Australia to pass 80% fully vaccinated.

16,210 16-29yos made appointments yesterday to get vaxxed

Best vaccine is one you can get now

"Next few months are going to be difficult," Barr says. "We can only gradually ease restrictions as the vaccination rate increases. This means there will be inconveniences, frustrations, we will try to ease these as much as possible."

Barr asks community to contribute to this goal of getting through these "difficult months" by:
* getting vaccinated
* getting tested if you have even the slightest symptoms
* following the health directions (wear your mask and wear it properly, distancing, etc etc)

Dep CHO Dr Vanessa Johnston

12 new
309 total
51 recovered (+10)
258 active cases

Of 12
6 linked (all household)
4 in quarantine throughout
8 infectious in community

13 in hospital
Aged 18-54
4 in ICU
12 unvaccinated, 1 w 1 dose
2 ventilated

1100 close
4200 casual
220+ sites

Still 12 sites of confirmed public transmission

Bright Bees 37 (+3)
Assembly & (+1)
Ainslie Village 3
CIT Reid 5
Gold Creek School 2
Downer Community Centre 13
Fiction 51
Lennock Jag LandRover dealership 20
Lyneham High 50
Belco Bball 7
Sthn Cross Bball 44
Mirchi Indian 7

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith: Shoutout to "children and young people, particularly for those who might be home by themselves, no siblings, who haven't had the opportunity to hang out with playmates"

Thank you for doing the right thing to keep the community safe, she says

1000 applications through callout for nurses; 203 brought on through that process, 191 more nursing staff will be brought on to support expanding vax rollout inc opening of AIS Arena mass vax clinic tomorrow.

Announcements on the Sensory Vax Clinic and future use of the Garran Surge Centre once vaccinations move to AIS, will be made "shortly", RSS says.

Tweeting/working from home, so just going back to this:

Chief Minister made very strong appeal to Canberrans to get vaccinated as soon as you can, noting that Pfizer appointments are still some way off for younger groups just opening up.

You can get AZ today. Widely available.

A young man in his 20s who is unvaccinated, is now on breathing support in a Canberra ICU. There are two Canberrans now on breathing support, and 13 in hospital.

The best vaccine is the one you can get in your arm today, was the very strong gist of the Chief Minister's message.

Chief Minister on the 'threat to ACT' posed by NSW: "I'm really pleased to see the level of vaccination in NSW" because "the more vaccinated they are, they more protected we are", but notes Canberra can also help itself by being as vaccinated as possible, as quickly as possible.

Barr: There are going to be some industry sectors that have some restrictions on their ability to operate to their maximum capacity, or they will have no market while Syd/Melb are in this situation. Tourism, hospitality will likely need "long tail of support, that's understood".

Barr on economic recovery prospects says there's going to be a lot of activity in 2022, it's going to be a great year in 2022 and a great Christmas... provided we get vaccinated.

Q on The National Plan and WA/Qld's take thereon, is it still workable?

Barr: "I believe it is when you actually look at the detail of it, and I think the problem has been too much glossing over, too much alpha male aggressive posturing about it, and that really hasn't helped."

Q Chief, are going to make time to have a picnic?

Barr: *laughs* Well! *sighs* *kinda answers before pivoting to PLEASE GET VACCINATED AND GET VACCINATED NOW*

"Our transmission potential is below 1, the reproduction number is below 1," that's why we're not seeing rapid escalation in cases - and that's thanks to lockdown measures, Dep CHO says.

Anyone presented to hospital who took Ivermectin?

Dep CHO not aware of any

(Anna note: I'm not a doctor, but I am a former rural reporter and I am telling you DO NOT TAKE HORSE WORMING PASTE OR SHEEP DRENCH FOR COVID. IT IS SUCH A BAD IDEA. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HAS TO BE SAID.)

My personal thanks to @abccanberra facebook autoplay for playing birdsounds on the lake at sunrise immediately after the presser... I needed that.

Anyway. I'll be back on your radio at 3:30 from (fingers crossed, third time's a charm etc) my place. For real this time. Hopefully.

@abccanberra AND!

AstraZeneca is very safe, effective, and widely available across #Canberra right now, today, to everyone aged 18+

Can't get a GP appointment? There are dozens of pharmacies where you can walk in with no appointment and walk out with vaccine in your arm. What a deal!

/ENDS