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Coronavirus Australia: NSW records 787 new COVID cases, 12 deaths

Staff writers and AAPThe West Australian
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A healthcare worker speaks to a patient before recieving a COVID-19 test at a drive-through testing facility in Ballarat.
Camera IconA healthcare worker speaks to a patient before recieving a COVID-19 test at a drive-through testing facility in Ballarat. Credit: JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE

NSW has reported 787 new local cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths as the state government reveals its roadmap for 80 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage.

Most of NSW is locked down and police are cracking down on compliance measures as authorities battle to contain the spread of the virulent Delta strain.

Of the 12 deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, four people were in their 60s, two in their 70s, four in their 80s and two in their 90s.

It takes the toll for the current outbreak to 309.

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There are 1155 COVID-19 patients in hospital in NSW, with 214 in intensive care units and 115 on ventilators.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also revealed the state’s roadmap beyond 80 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage.

This includes the resumption of travel to regional NSW, pushed back from 70 per cent coverage, and the ability to stand and drink at the pub.

It will also include the “consideration” of international travel.

On December 1, unvaccinated people will be able to reintegrate with society and the “four square metre” will revert to a “two square metre” rule.

More than 85 per cent of people over 16 have had at least one vaccine dose, while around 60 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Ms Berejiklian said it was extremely likely that the 70 per cent vaccination milestone would trigger freedoms from October 11.

Meanwhile, outdoor pools are permitted to re-open everywhere in NSW, with even the unvaccinated allowed to swim at pools within their local government area.

Construction sites in NSW are now able to return to full capacity with COVID safety plans, after previously being restricted to 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, Business NSW has dubbed the 70 per cent reopening day ’back-to- business day’ with CEO Daniel Hunter urging people to support local firms.

But he says business owners are still awaiting new public health orders about how to deal with vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

“The government has indicated it is going to be an individual accountability, so if you’re not vaccinated it’s actually going to be on you to not enter those premises,” he told 2GB.

VICTORIA RECORDS 705 NEW CASES, ONE DEATH

Victoria has recorded 705 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and one death.

The new infections bring the number of active cases in the state to 8538.

The state’s health department said more information would be provided on the death later on Monday. It brings the toll from the current outbreak to 25.

There were 51,252 coronavirus tests processed and 51,252 vaccine doses administered at state-run hubs on Sunday.

It comes as restrictions will ease slightly across the state on Wednesday, with Victoria expected to pass 80 per cent single-dose vaccination coverage on Tuesday.

Premier Daniel Andrews said while the changes were “modest“, the state inches closer to the end of lockdown.

Residents of locked-down areas will be able to travel 15km from home, up from 10km, while patron caps in regional venues will increase from 20 to 30.

Golf, tennis and cricket, as well as group personal training for up to five fully vaccinated adults, can also resume.

There was also good news for the city of Geelong, which was released from lockdown overnight, despite the diagnosis of six new cases on Saturday. All cases were linked.

A series of “vaccinated economy” trials were announced on Sunday, to begin across some regional Victorian businesses from October 11.

Select businesses in Buloke, Pyrenees, Bass Coast, Bendigo, East Gippsland and Warrnambool will test systems in the fortnight before Victoria is due to hit the 70 per cent double dose vaccination mark.

The 20 trial sites will be selected based on vaccination rates and case numbers.

Among the issues to be explored during the trials are vaccine status verification and how to help businesses safely deal with aggressive customers who are denied service.

V/Line train services return to a full timetable for all services on all lines on Monday after a COVID-19 outbreak that limited services and saw buses replace trains on some lines.

More than 77 per cent of Victorians aged 16 and over have now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while more than 47 per cent have had two doses.

NO NEW COVID CASES RECORDED IN AUSTRALIA

No new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Queensland overnight.

STATE-BY-STATE CASE BREAKDOWN

VIC - 705 new local cases, one death

NSW - 787 new local cases, 12 deaths

QLD - zero new local cases

ACT - TBA

WA - TBA

SA - TBA

TAS - TBA

NT - TBA

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