This is the Deaf Society and Deaf Services with the COVID-19 Auslan update for National, NSW, QLD and ACT news for Friday 24 April 2020.
As of 6am today, the total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Australia is 6,667 cases with 13 new cases and 76 deaths.
5,095 people have recovered.
More than 474,000 people have been tested in Australia.
The Australian Government, will ease restrictions on some types of elective surgery in a staggered approach from Tuesday 28 April.
The Australian health system will be watched carefully over the next month to assess the impact of re-introducing some elective surgeries.
There is a new real-time information system so that hospitals across Australia can monitor intensive care beds.
A lab west of Melbourne is planning to begin animal trials of a vaccine for Coronavirus soon.
NSW
Only seven new cases of coronavirus, despite a record number of 7,352 tests being completed yesterday.
NSW state's total number of confirmed cases is 2,982 with 2056 people recovered.
230 COVID-19 cases including 19 in ICU and 15 ventilated.
1 new death overnight - a 78 year old female from Anglicare Newmarch house.
From today, anybody across NSW can be tested if you are concerned or have symptoms, not just those who live in high clusters and work with vulnerable communities. Premier wants to boost testing to 8000 per day including over the weekend. Once restrictions start to lift, number of cases will rise, so increased testing is important.
NSW Government contributing $73 million in funding to extend mental health services in NSW during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes:
over 180 additional specialist, community-based mental health clinicians and peer support workers
expanding the virtual mental health program to all local health districts
free access to Tresillian’s digital SleepWellBaby program
capacity for 60,000 extra calls to the 1800 NSW Mental Health Line
creation of pop-up mental health Safe Space sites, reducing pressure on emergency departments.
Ruby Princess left NSW waters yesterday. 567 crew members were repatriated and/ or taken in by NSW Health, equating to more than half the crew on board. 40 crew members are in hospital under observation. When ship sailed none of the crew sailing tested positive.
QLD
In Queensland the total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus is now 1026 with 2 new cases, who both contracted the virus overseas.738 people have recovered.
94,977 people have been tested. 18 cases are in hospital, 6 in ICU and 6 are receiving ventilation.
The testing criteria and capabilities are expanding. Anyone anywhere in Queensland with respiratory symptoms is now urged to get tested for coronavirus immediately. When you are tested you need to stay at home in isolation until you receive your results.
500 additional public servants are being trained to perform contact tracing in case they are needed.
57,000 people have been in quarantine or self-isolation since the pandemic started.
Every person on a compulsory quarantine order receives multiple texts, phone calls and visits to their residence to ensure compliance.
The Chief Medical Office has said international travel restrictions will stay in place for months.
A Queensland Small Business Commissioner will be appointed to give small businesses a single point of contact for leasing disputes due the impact of the coronavirus.
Queensland has a $4 billion economic relief package. This is the biggest stimulus package any state or territory has provided. This includes:
$1.2 billion to expand health services such as fever clinics
$300 million in relief for households, which includes a $200 credit for households to offset the cost of water and electricity
$2.5 billion for businesses
Additionally, the Queensland Government is also providing:
A $500 million Jobs Support Loan scheme
$400 million in land tax relief for property owners who agree to provide rent relief to tenants
A $24.7 million housing and homelessness plan for vulnerable Queenslanders
The Queensland Government is increasing support for international students stranded in Queensland, including digital counseling, tuition support, laptops, meals and other living expense payments to students.
More than 20 inmates at a maximum-security prison in Brisbane remain in quarantine after a program officer tested positive. The inmates have all tested negative but will still do the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
ACT COVID-19 Friday 24th April 2020
No new cases in the ACT.
Canberrans strongly urged not to get complacent. Stay home over the ACT long weekend.
People shouldn’t expect changes to physical distancing for another few weeks yet.
Testing criteria expands today for two weeks as announced yesterday.
