Australian cases
There have been 5,895 COVID-19 cases in total in Australia with 41 deaths. Queensland has reported 921 cases so far.
The curve is flattening in Australia
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has reported that restrictions on daily life and social distancing measures have successfully flattened the curve in Australian COVID-19 cases. Although he has noted the peak of new COVID-19 cases may be behind us, he warns Australians not to become complacent.
Warning of dodgy COVID-19 tests
Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has warned against using dodgy, imported home coronavirus test kits. “Inaccurate results could prevent people from seeking the medical help they need, or alternatively, discourage people who should be self-isolating from doing so,” Mr Dutton said.
Investigation into the Ruby Princess cruise ship
NSW police will launch a criminal investigation into how Carnival Australia was permitted to disembark the Ruby Princess ship in Sydney. More than 600 COVID-19 cases have been linked to the ship’s docking on March 19, and at least 10 passengers have died.
“The only way I can get to the bottom of whether our national biosecurity laws and our state laws were broken is through a criminal investigation,” NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said.
Queensland beaches closed
Major beaches on Queensland’s Gold Cost including The Spit, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, are off limits as of today (Tuesday 7th April). This is a result of some beachgoers not following social-distancing rules and follows the closure of other popular tourist beaches like Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
“Unfortunately, over the weekend, out-of-towners are descending on the Gold Coast in mass numbers and I fear that this number will increase over the Easter weekend,” Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said.
Brisbane’s annual Royal show, the Ekka, has also been cancelled due to the pandemic. In its 143-year history, it is only the third time the show has been cancelled.
Coles and Woolworths introduce new COVID-19 measures
As of yesterday (Monday 6th April), supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths will limit how many customers may enter the store at any one time.
“Keeping our supermarkets safe for our teams and customers remains our top priority. Customers will start to notice stores implementing new social distancing measures in the lead up to the Easter weekend,” Woolworths’ Managing Director Clare Peters said.
