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NationalCoronavirus pandemic

This was published 6 years ago

As the day unfolded: COVID-19 death toll rises in Australia, NSW records 50 cases in 24 hours

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

Matt Bungard, Mary Ward and Latika Bourke
Updated ,first published

Summary

  •  Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a ban on non-essential gatherings of 100 or more people indoors
  • DFAT has asked citizens overseas to return home, announcing an unprecedented level 4 travel ban
  • There are 564 cases of coronavirus nationally, including 256 in NSW, 121 in Victoria, 94 in Queensland, 35 in WA, 37 in SA, seven in Tasmania and three in ACT as Wednesday 7pm
  • Globally, there are 198,178 confirmed cases and there have been 7954 deaths as of Wednesday 7pm
  • The global airline industry says it needs government aid and bailout measures totalling between $US150 billion ($250 billion) and $US200 billion

We are closing the blog for the evening

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Thanks for following along. Here's a recap of some of the major developments of the day:

We'll be continuing our live coverage throughout the night and into Thursday in a separate blog. If you'd like to join us, you can follow along here.

Queensland police suspend some training, send officers to frontline

By Toby Crockford

The Queensland Police Service has suspended all non-essential training as well as scheduled operational skills training and will deploy training officers onto the frontline.

According to last year’s QPS operational procedures manual, operations skills training involves “holistic use of force training” including the use of Tasers, Service Pistols, First Aid and how to deal with active armed offenders.

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In a statement on Wednesday night, Queensland police said the training suspension aimed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and would take effect from Thursday.

“This will bring the QPS in line with other national jurisdictions who are taking similar precautions to protect their workforce,” the police service said in a statement.

“These changes are not expected to have any impact on our operational readiness or capacity and the decision has been made to minimise health risks to our staff.”

Catholic Church suspends services in Victoria

By Rachel Eddie

The Catholic Church will end all public masses and celebrations in Victoria for the foreseeable future.

The suspension will also extend to public liturgies, like funerals, weddings and baptisms, and it means Easter services will not take place.

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"We are very aware that this restriction will be particularly difficult for families who are planning liturgies such as funerals, weddings, and baptisms," a letter from the Bishops of Victoria said on Wednesday night.

"At this time, so long as appropriate precautions are able to be put in place (such as distancing between participants), it may be possible for these liturgies to proceed with a carefully limited congregation.

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'Liquid gold': Pact starts to make hand sanitiser as shortages bite

By Darren Gray

One of Australia's biggest packaging companies, Pact Group, is converting production lines at three of its Sydney plants as it starts making hand sanitiser for the first time.

The ASX-listed packaging company Pact Group is converting three of its plants in order to make hand sanitiser for the first time.iStock

The ASX-listed company will switch over from products such as industrial cleaners to hand sanitiser in response to the surging demand for the product because of the escalating coronavirus outbreak.

Supermarket, chemist and hardware store shelves have been stripped off hand sanitiser in recent weeks as families, companies and other organisations turn to the product en-masse.

Read the full story here

Cyber criminals, hackers profit from coronavirus chaos

By Cameron Houston

Cyber criminals are already seeking to profit from the global chaos created by coronavirus with the emergence of several fake websites that purport to offer public information about the pandemic, but secretly access private details.

A phishing email purporting to provide information on coronavirus.

Malware has also been sent via emails and SMS messages that claim to provide updates on the spread of COVID-19, but harvest confidential information such as usernames and passwords.

One website that claims to be associated with a medical agency in the US offers a "list of new cases around your city" and includes a corrupted link that allows the malware to enter servers. Other phishing emails ask for bitcoin donations to assist with the development of a vaccine.

Read the full story here

Indonesian infections surge as death toll nearly quadruples

By James Massola

Indonesia has recorded another sharp rise in coronavirus cases, with 227 people now recorded as infected. That's 55 new cases since Tuesday, the biggest single-day rise the country has recorded to date.

More significantly, the death toll has nearly quadrupled to 19 people, up from five.

A medical team checks passenger body temperature at an underground station in Jakarta.AP

Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto said at Wednesday's daily briefing that the country was now in the "acceleration" phase of the disease.

Achmad has warned that a significant increase in cases is expected as the country belatedly ramps up its efforts to test for Covid-19 and expressed the hope that by April, the situation will be under control.

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Fast food giants hopeful of pushing through despite COVID-19 crisis

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Australia's fast-food giants could pivot into drive-thru and delivery only services due to widespread health concerns and a growing hesitancy among consumers to visit public spaces, including dining rooms.

Hungry Jack's, McDonald's and KFC may close dining rooms across the country, but keep drive-thrus open.Agencies

“The reality is, there’s potential for shutdowns but also a potential in the market. We’re very lucky that we’ve got drive-thrus and delivery channels," Hungry Jack's CEO Chris Green told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Read the full story here

Stranded passengers dock in Darwin, can fly home

By Rachel Eddie

Cruise ship passengers have been allowed to disembark in Darwin and fly home, despite a 30-day ban on cruises entering Australia during the coronavirus pandemic.

Silver Spirit docked at Port of Darwin on Wednesday, having left its last port at Langkaui in Malaysia on March 8.

The Silver Spirit has docked in Darwin.

The holidaymakers, who are boarding flights home, will only need to self-isolate for four days because they have been at sea for 10 days already.

"The Silver Spirit will, therefore, have four days left of its quarantine period," a spokesman for the Australian Border Force said.

Signature no longer required, says Australia Post

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An email was sent to customers on Wednesday evening saying that deliveries and pick-ups will no longer require a signature.

"Like other businesses, we’re asking our team members to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

"When you are in one of our Post Offices, please try to keep social distancing wherever possible and if you are feeling unwell, don’t visit our stores," the email read.

Australia Post deliveries will no longer require a signature.Justin McManus

"To minimise risks to everyone, all parcels – be it at a post office or at a residence – will no longer require a signature for delivery or collection. Our team will continue to record your name and delivery on our handheld device."

The company suggested people use 24/7 parcel lockers to help avoid human contact, and acknowledge current difficulties in terms of international delivery logistics.

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Man arrested after alleged supermarket assault

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A 63-year-old North Lismore man has been arrested after allegedly pushing a trolley into two women, before assaulting a female staff member, the store manager, and a security guard.

On Tuesday afternoon, police say the man became agitated at the Coles in Lismore Square shopping centre, when he was unable to find the items he wanted.

After this, police allege he pushed his trolley into the women, knocking one to the ground, punched the 45-year-old worker in the face and chest, and then assaulted the store manager and security guard before being ejected from the store.

The staff member sustained bruising and swelling to her left jaw, bruising and swelling to her left forearm, a small laceration to her left forearm, stiffness to her neck, bruising to her chest but declined medical assistance.

The two older women left the store without leaving their details and it’s unknown if they were injured.

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Ten days ago in an unrelated incident, two women, aged 23 and 60, were charged with affray over the alleged fight at a Chullora Woolworths store on Saturday morning, sparked by an apparent dispute over toilet paper.

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