Premier's Covid lockdown vow once NSW hits vaccine target
40 per cent of NSW's population is fully vaccinated
The state reported 1485 cases of Covid-19
Sadly three deaths have been recorded
NSW has reported 1485 cases of Covid-19 with 40 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated.
But Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned again case and hospitalisation numbers are yet to peak.
"The modelling indicates to us the peak is likely to be here in the next week or two, and the peak in hospitalisation and intensive care is likely to be with us in October," Ms Berejiklian said.
Ms Berejiklian said NSW is "tracking well" in terms of achieving the double dose rates, saying at 80 per cent, there won't be a need for a statewide lockdown ever again.
"Suffice to say that NSW is tracking well in terms of our double dose rates and tracking in terms of preparing a roadmap for what life looks back at 70 per cent double dose," she said during Sunday's press conference.
"Life will look better and feel better and we certainly will not have to have a statewide lockdown ever again when we hit the 80 per cent double dose vaccination rates which is what we're looking forward to."
Three deaths reported
Sadly, three people lost their lives in Covid-related deaths in the past 24 hours.
A woman in her 50s from western Sydney who had received one dose of the vaccination died at Blacktown Hospital.
A woman in her 70s from south-western Sydney died at Campbelltown Hospital and a man in his 70s from south-western Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital. Neither were vaccinated.
Three children are also reported to be in ICU.
"We have reports of three children in intensive care at the Children's Hospital," NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty told reporters on Sunday.
"This is in a context of over 2,000 people approximately, who are children being cared for by the Children's Hospital network.
"Unfortunately but rarely, people, including children, do require intensive care. Overall, children do very well with COVID-19, but there is always a spectrum of disease of any age group."
Of the 1485 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm on Saturday:
518 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD)
479 are from Western Sydney LHD
174 are from Sydney LHD
116 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD
80 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
32 are from Western NSW LHD
31 are from Northern Sydney LHD
12 are from Hunter New England LHD
11 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
Seven are from Central Coast LHD
Six are in correctional settings
Four are from Far West LHD
15 cases are yet to be assigned to a LHD
Fragments of the virus were detected at sewage treatment plants across NSW, including:
Byron Bay
Tamworth and Glen Innes in Hunter New England LHD
Cooma in Southern NSW LHD
West Kempsey in Mid North Coast LHD
No recent cases have been detected in these locations but residents are being urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms if they appear to immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
NSW recorded 1,485 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/VhSj26LGWh
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 5, 2021
Borders open by Christmas
Ms Berejiklian said she wants all Australians to have to opportunity to reunite with their families at Christmas, as well as hoping to welcome overseas residents home soon.
"I hope that other states obviously have the same approach which is what is in the national plan," she said.
"Once we hit 80 per cent double dose, all internal borders in Australia should not exist and by that stage, NSW would welcome home thousands of Australians every week, because when you have 80 per cent of your adult population completing vaccinated, it does allow you to do things differently."
"I look forward to Sydney airport welcoming home Australians," Ms Berejiklian continued. "Other states do not want to do it, we are happy to do it."
Ms Berejiklian said she's "confident" other state leaders will come to the same conclusion.
"We have to stick to the plan, in the best interests of the state and also our nation," she said.
"Most people do not see boundaries within Australia and most want to reunite with their families and that is what we will be working towards."
Ms Berejiklian also hinted changed to quarantine for overseas arrivals could change when vaccination rates are hit.
"When Australia is coming back home fully vaccinated with a credible vaccine, it would make sense that they could quarantine at home and we are already considering when we do that and when we do that but the transition will start in earnest when we hit 70 per cent double dose," she said.
"But the planning has already started, to see what life was like for Aussies coming home when they are fully vaccinated."
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