Australian Government Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has today extended the current Hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support for all LGAs within New South Wales, until 11:59pm on 28 August 2021. The declaration will be reviewed on, or before this date. Increasing case numbers, with many cases infectious in the community, poses an exposure risk to the people of New South Wales. This declaration extension aligns with the New South Wales Government's announcement made today. Professor Kelly asks people in these areas to continue to follow their local Health Department directions and to book their vaccinations.
Professor Paul Kelly has also lifted the current Hotspot for Greater Darwin, and some localities within the Unincorporated Top End Region, effective as of 11:59pm on 19 August 2021. This includes the local government areas (LGAs) of Belyuen Community Government Council, City of Darwin, City of Palmerston, Litchfield Council, Wagait Shire Council, and the Unincorporated Top End Region localities of Bynoe, Charlotte, Cox Peninsula, Dundee Beach, Dundee Downs and Dundee Forest. The Hotspot for the purpose of Commonwealth support will remain in place for Katherine Town Council (including Tindal) for an additional 24 hours, until 11:59pm on 20 August 2021, with review on or before this date.
The Northern Territory today announced the lifting of movement restrictions for Greater Darwin which were put in place earlier this week in response to a case of COVID-19 within the community. Movement restrictions will remain in place for Katherine Town Council (including Tindal) for a further 24 hours. This case poses a risk of transmission to others within these areas, including into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This declaration aligns with the Northern Territory Government's announcement made today.
Professor Kelly reminds the community of the risk, and requests they continue to follow the directions of Northern Territory Health.
Declaring a hotspot for Commonwealth support triggers, if required:
- Provision of PPE from the National Medical Stockpile
- Actions for aged care facilities including PPE, single site workforce supplement and integration of an aged care response centre into the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
- Assistance with contact tracing
- Asymptomatic testing via General Practitioner led Respiratory Clinics
- Reprioritisation of vaccine supplies, if required
- Access to COVID-19 Disaster Payment, if eligibility criteria are met
- Two Medicare Benefits Schedule items for telehealth consultations for patients in COVID-19 hotspots.
