The coronavirus pandemic has caused both human and economic devastation around the world but optimism that authorities are on top of the spread, continues to firm here in Australia.
In this update:
0:18 Victoria recorded just one additional case overnight, while New South Wales recorded six cases.
0:30 Nearly 3.5 million people could lose their jobs, according to new analysis into the economic impact of the virus. Treasury has forecast unemployment will rise to 10% in the June quarter but the Grattan Institute says up to 26% of workers could lose their job.
0:45 Some beaches in Sydney’s east have reopened. Randwick council has allowed Clovelly, Maroubra and Coogee beaches to open for exercise on the sand and in the water. Strict physical distancing measures will be enforced. Bondi beach, controlled by Waverly council remains closed.
1:00 Turkey now has more cases than China with nearly 4000 new cases in the past day – taking the total to more than 86,000. Turkey has also overtaken Iran to become the new virus epicentre in the middle east.
1:18 In Latin America there are concerns over the death rate in Brazil. The country recorded 300 deaths in the past 24 hours but the president, Jair Bolsonaro has denounced the virus describing it as a little flu.
1:35 Reporter Steph Ferrier has more details on Australia’s virus growth rate, including a grab from NSW chief medical officer: 2:27 “There are currently 249 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, 22 are in intensive care and 15 are on ventilators. There have been nearly 4,000 more people tested in the past week than in the previous week and I’d like to see those numbers continue to increase.”
3:45 Reporter Lara Hyams is at one of the reopened Sydney beaches. She reports on the publics behaviour as they entered the beach area and if they have been respecting the physical distancing laws.
5:28 NSW Premier grab about the reopened beaches: “All I’ll say is can we just ask members of the public to be thoughtful and considerate. If you do the right thing, the beach can stay open. It’s when people do the wrong thing, that’s when the beach will closed down. We want everyone to enjoy the natural beauty, especially now it’s great for mental health. I’m encouraged to see families and individuals getting out there and exercising and we want to see that continue.”
6:33 The Federal Government insists Commonwealth departments and law enforcement agencies won’t be able to see data from its new coronavirus tracking app. It’s defending the smartphone application amid concerns about privacy, including from within its own ranks.
10:15 Queensland has just reported it’s coronavirus figure for the day – no new cases.
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