Minister Cautions – Young At Risk

BRAD Hazard, NSW Minister for Health said young people are not immune to covid-19 with four people in their 30s currently in intensive care and stressed the importance of social distancing.

“This virus…is an extremely dangerous virus but it isn’t a high jumper, it isn’t a long jumper, if you keep your distance you’re much more likely to be safe,” said Minister Hazard.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Chant said, “the message I would like to convey is that whilst this disease is generally milder in young ages groups, because no one in the community has protection or underlying immunity to this new virus we will expect to see severe consequences for some people in the younger age groups.”

“It is very important, across all age brackets heed the advice about social distancing and other measures,” said Dr Chant.

Today’s statistics:

• 2,493 cases of covid-19 in NSW
• 104 cases confirmed in the last 24 hours
• 41 people are in ICU (4 of which are in their 30s)
• 23 people are on ventilators
• 251 people are being treated, with 50% being cared for in the home
• 12 people have died (aged between 67-95)

Easter

The Premier has previously urged residents to stay at home for Easter and today the Chief Medical Officer stressed people should not travel to regional areas.

“Please do not go to rural areas, into the country and move around for Easter,” said Dr Chant.

“We are experiencing community transmission of covid-19 and what we need is some time to really understand that community to community transmission and respond to it,” she said.

“We are urging the community to please not travel in a non-essential way to the country, or even move around as the Premier has asked people to really stay at home, keep your contacts very limited and comply with our advice at this time,” Dr Chant said.

The Minister for Health made modifications to health orders last night including:

• Funerals: A can now have a total of 10 attendees plus funeral staff. Previously NSW implemented 10 in total.
• Caravan Parks: Overnight travellers, people working in the local area and people’s whose primary residence is unavailable – such as people who lost their homes during bushfires – are able to use caravan parks. Previously, the orders said only permanent residents of the park were able to use the park.
• Truck Drivers: Many truck stop operators have closed and the Minister has encouraged them to remain open to support truck drivers in vital supply delivery chains.
• Auctions: People providing livestock, fibre, crops can attend those auctions.

Minister Hazard said it was important in all of the above situations to maintain 1.5 metres at all times and indoors should not exceed one person per four square meters. He also said hand-cleaner should be available as everyone enters the facility.

Ruby Princess

A police investigation is underway on the management of covid-19 cases on the Ruby Princess.

Dr Chant confirmed “everyone was told to go home and self-isolate” despite claims to the contrary.

• There was a known low-level influenza virus on the ship.
• NZ tested symptomatic passengers and results for covid were negative.
• The ship was seen as a low-level risk.
• 10 swabs were taken from passengers before they disembarked in Sydney and three returned a positive result.
• Deaths and cases on the cruise ship were acquired on the cruise ship.
• Only 11 cases of covid-19 occurred due to passengers infecting others in the community.