Health officials in New South Wales say there are signs that Covid case numbers are stabilizing in the outbreak's worst-affected districts. Still, there is growing concerned about the outbreak's growth in inner-city communities like Redfern.
On Sunday, the state recorded 1,262 new locally acquired Covid cases and seven deaths, one of whom was a man in his twenties.
As Victoria's premier, Daniel Andrews, announced intentions to construct 100 pop-up vaccination sites in 100 "priority postcodes," 392 new local Covid cases were recorded.
Gladys Berejiklian, the NSW premier, said case numbers had stabilized in the local government areas of concern, but the virus was "picking up speed" in particular neighborhoods.
At the last press conference of its sort on Sunday, Berejiklian told reporters, "We can't afford to let our guard down."
From Monday, the daily 11 a.m. updates will be replaced by a video from NSW Health, communicating the updated case statistics and daily concerns.
A man in his twenties from western Sydney and six people in their 40s, 50s, 70s, and 80s from south-western Sydney were among the seven people who died in the 24 hours leading up to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Kerry Chant, the chief health officer, said the individual in his twenties was unvaccinated and had serious underlying health issues.
“When we talk about people dying whether they are vaccinated or have underlying health conditions,” Chant explained, “it really is to highlight the fact that there are still many elderly people in the community who are not vaccinated and have underlying health conditions.”
“However, I just want to emphasize that, while you are more likely to have severe Covid if you are older and have underlying health conditions, people of all ages can develop severe disease and die.”
In NSW, there are 1,206 Covid patients in hospitals, 220 of whom are in intensive care and 92 of whom are ventilated.
The number of cases is projected to surge next week, putting pressure on hospitals and ambulances.
By Friday midnight, 78 percent of NSW's over-16 population had gotten their first dose of the Covid vaccine, with 45.6 percent having been fully vaccinated.
Andrews announced plans to increase vaccination in 100 priority locations in Victoria.
“Postcodes where there are case numbers, postcodes where the vaccination program may not be reaching enough people,” he told reporters.
“We'll take it one step at a time. Five community-based pop-ups are the first of them.
“They'll be in areas where they're most needed. So in the outbreak areas of Hume, Dandenong, and Casey, where instances are likely growing.”
The first of the pop-up centers will open in a matter of days, and how long they stay will be determined by demand.
The program has been included in the state government's goal to vaccinate all pupils aged 12 and up by the end of the school year.
The first eight pop-up venues will be in Dandenong, Point Cook, Werribee, Gladstone Park, Caroline Springs, Brunswick, and Tarneit, with the rest to follow.
Andrews explained, “These pop-ups are all about removing another barrier by bringing the vaccination program to you.”
“You can come and be a part of it, get your first and second doses, play your part, remove the lockdowns, and protect yourself from becoming seriously ill.”
On Sunday, 392 new instances were disclosed, 255 from the city's north and 89 from the western suburbs.
In regional Victoria, five illnesses were discovered, including one in Greater Geelong, one in Mildura, two in Gippsland, and one linked to the regional train service V/Line.
Following four positive coronavirus tests among personnel, all V/Line train services were suspended on Sunday. More than 180 drivers and operational staff were placed in isolation.
“We are suspending all trains on Sunday out of an abundance of caution to limit the spread and keep everyone safe,” the Department of Transportation stated in a statement.
The health service said 107 cases were related to recognized outbreaks on Sunday, with the source of the remaining 285 cases still being investigated.
Except for four locally acquired cases, the total number of active cases in the state now stands at 3,112.
According to Andrews, 85 percent of active cases were under 50 years old.
“This isn't just for the frail elderly,” he explained. “That is the nature of an unvaccinated pandemic. We can't open up because that group is still too big.”
Covid has landed 147 people in hospitals across the state, up to four from Saturday, with 34 in intensive care units and 28 on ventilators.
Only one of the patients in the hospital was fully vaccinated and is not thought to be on a ventilator.
A state-run center processed 48,063 tests, and 36,534 Victorians received vaccination doses in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) reported 15 new Covid cases, with nine patients infected in the community, whereas Queensland reported no new cases.
