World

Melbourne COVID cases spike to new record despite two month lockdown

Published

12 months ago

September 30, 2021

Anthony Lucas

COVID cases have spiked in Melbourne, the most locked down city in the world

New coronavirus infections urged to record levels, with 1438 new cases recorded on Thursday.

Health officials have blamed illegal home gatherings to watch a key sporting event for the spike as a hard lockdown to combat the spread of the Delta variant neared two months.

Authorities in Victoria, home to Melbourne, estimated nearly a third of Thursday’s 1,438 new infections could be traced back to home parties last weekend to watch the AFL grand final last week.

“Many of these cases were completely avoidable … I’m not trying to blame anyone, I’m simply trying to explain because a lot of people will be scratching their heads – how could it have gone up by so much, so fast,”
– State Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Officials admitted Thursday’s numbers, a 50% jump to Wednesday’s 950 cases, is a “major setback” in managing the flare-up, as they race to vaccinate the state’s 5.5 million adult population.

Moderna vaccine 'strongly protects' children from COVID — Victoria will change its Pfizer vaccination first and second dose interval from six weeks to three weeks at state hubs

Melbourne has been named the most locked-down city in the world

Today’s five deaths include a woman in her 70s and a man in his 80s from the local suburb of Whittlesea, a man in his 70s from Moreland and a man in his 60s and another man in his 90s from Hume.

Mr Andrews said hospitalisations would continue to climb as virus cases surge in the state.

Authorities also announced that Victoria will change its Pfizer vaccination first and second dose interval from six weeks to three weeks at state hubs.

People within the state were already eligible to get their second Pfizer dose after three weeks at GPs, but the premier said following “certainty of supply” the state was able to bring forward the interval period at state-run clinics.

Related Topics:australia Business covid Featured trending

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Anthony Lucas

Anthony Lucas is reporter, presenter and social media producer with ticker News. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication, with a major in Journalism from RMIT University as well as a Diploma of Arts and Entertainment journalism from Collarts. He’s previously worked for 9 News, ONE FM Radio and Southern Cross Austerio’s Hit Radio Network.

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Climate Change

Hurricane Ian could be Florida’s deadliest storm

Published

39 mins ago

September 30, 2022

William Howard

Hurricane Ian could be Florida’s deadliest storm as it continues north towards South Carolina

U.S. President Joe Biden says Hurricane Ian could be the deadliest storm in the region’s history, with early reports suggesting substantial loss of life.

Biden spoke at an afternoon briefing at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema).

Ian made landfall on Wednesday local time near the city of Fort Myers. It has led to severe flooding, high winds and storm surges.

Several areas remain submerged, and more than 2.5 million homes are without power.

Many residents are trapped in their homes and unable to escape. Search and rescue teams are working around the clock to provide assistance where they can.

5,000 Florida National Guard troops and 2,000 Guardsman from surrounding states have been deployed.

Eight teams with 800 members are carrying out search and rescue operations.

More than 200 public shelters have now been opened, housing around 34,000 people.

The National Hurricane Centre has downgraded Ian to a tropical storm for now but warns it will likely become a hurricane again later.

The entire coast of South Carolina is just the latest region to be placed on high alert as the storm continues north on its path of destruction.

World

Finland slams its borders shut on Russia

Published

2 hours ago

September 30, 2022

William Howard

Finland will officially closed its border to Russian tourists, marking the last of Moscow’s E-U neighbours to do so.

Finland will close its border with Russia as Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania also closed theirs.

The Finnish government made the decision following Vladimir Putin’s decision to call-up of 300,000 military reservists.

Queue’s at Russia’s border crossings with E-U nations were stretching for kilometres as people attempted to flee the country.

The closure of the border only applies to tourists – and Russians who are visiting family or travelling for work or study will still be granted entry.

The Finnish Foreign Minister stated that the decision was a difficult one to make, but ultimately it was in the best interest of the country.