Australia COVID-19 update 21 October 2021.

Australia wide — 2633 new locally acquired cases, 10 new OS acquired cases, 13 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 2,235 new from 79,544 tests, 2232 locally acquired, 3 OS travellers in hotel quarantine, 12 deaths.
• 22,889 active cases, 779 in hospital, 141 in ICU (98% not fully vaccinated), 96 ventilated.
• Deaths: a man in his 40s, 2 men and 2 women in their 60s, 1 man and 1 woman in 70s, 3 women 1 man in 80s, 1 woman in 90s.
• In Melbourne, there is still an increasing number of cases in the south-east of Melbourne, where 717 cases were recorded, making up a third of new infections.
• In regional Victoria, there were 214 cases recorded.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 374 new from 86,235 tests, 372 locally acquired, 2 OS travellers in hotel quarantine, 1 death.
• About 4,200 active cases, 523 in hospital, 124 in ICU, 64 ventilated.
• There have been 66,686 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 487 deaths.
• Deaths: One man in his 50s from SE Sydney died at Sutherland Hospital. He had one vaccine dose.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 80 SW Sydney, 74 Hunter New England, 51 Murrumbidgee, 26 SE Sydney, 25 Sydney, 24 Western Sydney, 22 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 16 Mid North Coast, 16 Northern Sydney, 12 Central Coast, 6 Nepean Blue Mountains, 4 Northern NSW, 3 Far West NSW, 2 Western NSW, 1 in a correction setting, 10 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Concerns about sewage virus detections across NSW where there are no known cases, including in Lightning Ridge, Armidale, Uralla, Inverell and Nyngan.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 28 new with 2,048 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 425 active cases, 21 in hospital, 10 in ICU, 8 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 5 new from 7,616 tests, 1 locally acquired, 4 OS travellers in hotel quarantine.
• 23 active cases, 11 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• An unvaccinated Uber driver believed to have been from interstate was potentially infectious on the Gold Coast for up to 10 days, ending the state’s 15-day streak with no community cases. The man, aged in his 30s, is so sick that health authorities have had difficulties speaking with him to find out where he had been. The man has not used the check-in app since September 18. He started to develop symptoms on October 11, with his infectious period stretching back to October 9 when he was still in Melbourne. It is not clear why the man was not in hotel quarantine after returning to Queensland, police investigating.
• Uber has confirmed in a statement that the man has not driven an Uber in more than a month.
• List of exposure sites.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 1 new from 5,540 tests, 1 returned OS traveller quarantined in a medi-hotel (historical).
• 8 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 1,167 tests.
• 9 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 5,500 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.
• Tasmania reaches 70% double-doses among over 16s.

NEW ZEALAND
• 104 new from 26,669 tests, 102 locally acquired, 2 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 891 active cases, 46 in hospital, 7 in ICU.
• 94 new cases were in Auckland, 8 in Waikato; 62 linked to existing cases or outbreaks. 
• List of exposure sites.

VACCINES
• Woolworths Group, Coles and Aldi announce mandatory vaccination plans for staff.
• WA government flags future introduction of mandatory vaccination for all interstate travellers.

Australia COVID-19 update 22 October 2021

Australia wide — 2547 new locally acquired cases, 5 new OS acquired cases, 21 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 2,189 new from 77,036 tests, all locally acquired, 16 deaths.
• 23,230 active cases, 784 in hospital, 145 in ICU, 94 ventilated.
• Deaths: a man in his 60s, four women in their 70s, three men and four women in their 80s, and three women and one man in their 90s.
• In Melbourne, the south east continues to see the biggest surge of cases.
• In regional Victoria, Latrobe experienced very high numbers today with 70 new cases recorded. Albury/Wodonga also has a significant outbreak
• Melbourne has come out of the longest lockdown of any city in the world and is expected to soon welcome international arrivals without hotel quarantine.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 345 new from 76,594 tests, all locally acquired, 5 deaths.
• About 4,200 active cases, 482 in hospital, 125 in ICU, 67 ventilated.
• There have been 67,024 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 492 deaths.
• Deaths: 3 women and 2 men (1 unvaccinated, 2 one dose, 2 fully vaccinated); 1 person was in their 30s, 1 in their 50s, 1 in 70s, 1 in 80s, 1 in 90s; 3 from SE Sydney, 1 from Sydney’s inner city, 1 from SE Sydney; 1 acquired their infection in aged care and 1 became infected in hospital. 
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 63 SW Sydney, 61 Hunter New England, 40 Western Sydney, 35 Murrumbidgee, 28 SE Sydney, 25 Central Coast, 18 Sydney, 15 Nepean Blue Mountains, 12 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 12 Mid North Coast, 11 Northern Sydney, 7 Western NSW, 5 Northern NSW, 3 in a correctional setting, 10 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Concerns about sewage virus detections across NSW where there are no known cases, including in Leeton, Moree, Guyra, Quirindi, Old Bar, Harrington and Boorowa.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 13 new with 1,217 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 386 active cases, 20 in hospital, 11 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 5 new from 6,330 tests, 0 locally acquired, 5 OS travellers in hotel quarantine.
• 28 active cases, 14 in hospital, 1 in ICU.
• The unvaccinated case on the Gold Coast yesterday is very ill in hospital. He was too sick to help contact tracers yesterday, but some exposure sites have been added.
• A truck driver has tested positive upon his return to Victoria. He was infectious in Queensland on the 18th and 19th of October. Exposure sites will be added for Stafford, Richlands and Acacia Ridge in Brisbane.
• List of exposure sites.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 2,779 tests.
• 9 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 4,965 tests.
• 8 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 1,962 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 1,104 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 134 new from 27,831 tests, 129 locally acquired, 5 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1019 active cases, 51 in hospital, 5 in ICU.
• 120 new cases were in Auckland, 9 in Waikato. 64 of these cases are linked, of whom 25 are household contacts, and 65 remain unlinked with investigations continuing.
• The highest daily count in New Zealand since the pandemic began.
• List of exposure sites.

WORLD
• Russia is currently recording its highest coronavirus figures since the pandemic began reporting 36,339 new infections and 1,036 deaths on Thursday. The death toll stands at 227,389 — the highest in Europe. Moscow will lockdown with restaurants, schools and shops to close for 11 days from October 28.
• Singapore hospitals risk being ‘overwhelmed’ after record daily Covid deaths. Death of 18 people forces more social restrictions even as city-state expands quarantine-free travel to eight countries.
• While infection rates in Britain continue the rapid surge they began in mid-September, western European countries with comparably vaccinated populations are now also seeing case numbers start to pick up, sparking fears of a fresh wave there. According to OurWorldinData, the UK recorded a rolling seven-day average of 666.5 new cases per million people on Wednesday, compared with 40 in Spain, 44.5 in Italy, 80.2 in France, 146.7 in Germany, 223.3 in the Netherlands and 328.8 in Belgium.

Australia COVID-19 update 23 October 2021

Australia wide — 2106 new locally acquired cases, 1 new OS acquired case, 11 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,750 new from 72,858 tests, all locally acquired, 9 deaths.
• 23,164 active cases, 770 in hospital, 144 in ICU, 90 ventilated.
• Deaths: a man in his 60s, 3 women and 2 men in their 70s, 1 woman in 80s, 2 women in 90s.
• In Melbourne 29% of all new cases are under the age of 19 and in regional Victoria 38% are under 19.
• Regional Victoria's new cases now account for more than 14% of the state's total including Latrobe 40, Wodonga 21, Mildura 10.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 333 new from 64,118 tests, 332 locally acquired, 1 OS traveller in hotel quarantine, 2 deaths.
• About 4,950 active cases, 469 in hospital, 123 in ICU, 66 ventilated.
• There have been 67,336 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 494 deaths.
• Deaths: An unvaccinated woman in her 70s died at Hornsby Hospital. A vaccinated man in his 60s died at Mercy Place Albury Aged Care Facility the source of his infection. 
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 78 Hunter New England, 69 SW Sydney, 37 Western Sydney, 37 Murrumbidgee, 22 Mid North Coast, 19 SE Sydney, 17 Sydney, 12 Northern Sydney, 10 Central Coast, 8 Western NSW, 6 Nepean Blue Mountains, 6 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 5 Southern NSW, 2 Northern NSW, 1 Far West NSW, 1 in a correctional setting, 2 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Concerns about sewage virus detections across NSW where there are no known cases, including in Dungog, Branxton, Jerilderie, Inverell, Bonny Hills, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Dunbogan, Wagga Wagga, Bega, Moruya and Narooma.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 24 new with 1,445 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 400 active cases, 19 in hospital, 12 in ICU, 4 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 0 new from 9,077 tests.
• 26 active cases, 14 in hospital, 0 in ICU.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 941 tests.
• 9 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 4,556 tests.
• 8 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 106 new from 24,088 tests, 104 locally acquired, 2 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1119 active cases, 55 in hospital, 5 in ICU.
• 91 new cases were in Auckland, 8 in Waikato, 4 in Northland and 1 in Nelson Marlborough.
• 43 of these cases are linked, including 33 household contacts, and 61 remain unlinked, with investigations continuing.
• One new case on the South Island, in Blenheim on the north east coast. The case flew from Rotorua and arrived in Blenheim on 21 October and returned a positive test result late last night with a weak positive result. The risk appears low given the individual’s likely late stage of infection. A small number of close contacts have been contacted and are currently isolating with tests arranged.
• List of exposure sites.

VACCINES
• Vaccine blitzes this weekend in Queensland and South Australia.
• Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said that approval for a third dose of Pfizer could come “by the middle of the next week”, adding that the booster program would then “able to begin immediately”.

Australia COVID-19 update 24 October 2021

Australia wide — 2240 new locally acquired cases, 1 new OS acquired case, 15 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,935 new from 69,624 tests, all locally acquired, 11 deaths.
• 24,993 active cases, 787 in hospital, 146 in ICU, 93 ventilated.
• Deaths: 1 in their 50s, 1 in 60s, 4 in 70s, 3 in 80s and 2 in 90s.
• Premier says the 80% vaccination target likely to be hit on Friday, October 29. From 6:00pm on that date, the border around Melbourne will be dropped, allowing Victorians to travel anywhere in the state. Masks will no longer be mandatory in outdoor settings where social distancing is possible and entertainment and retail venues can re-open from 6:00pm.
• All Victorian students go back to school on November 1.
• Outbreak at Melbourne's Park Hotel detention facility sees 17 asylum seekers test positive, one admitted to hospital.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 296 new from 66,740 tests, all locally acquired, 4 deaths.
• About 4,900 active cases, 480 in hospital, 119 in ICU, 67 ventilated.
• There have been 67,625 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 498 deaths.
• Deaths: 4 men (3 unvaccinated, 1 fully vaccinated); 2 in their 60s, 1 in 70s, 1 in 80s; 2 from western Sydney, 2 from SW Sydney.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 62 SW Sydney, 53 Hunter New England, 47 Murrumbidgee, 23 Mid North Coast, 20 Western Sydney, 17 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 12 SE Sydney, 12 Sydney, 11 Nepean Blue Mountains, 10 Western NSW, 6 Northern Sydney, 6 Southern NSW, 5 Far West NSW, 4 Central Coast, 2 Northern NSW, 1 in a correctional setting, 5 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Concerns about sewage virus detections across NSW where there are no known cases, including in Armidale, Quirindi, Uralla, Moree and Byron Bay.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 9 new with 982 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 390 active cases, 20 in hospital, 11 in ICU, 4 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 1 new from 3,434 tests, an OS traveller detected in a medi-hotel.
• 7 active cases, 0 in hospital.

QUEENSLAND
• 0 new from 8,014 tests.
• 23 active cases, 16 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• Two people tested positive in NSW after being escorted out of SW Queensland. The pair visited multiple locations in SW QLD including Thargomindah, Cunnamulla, Charleville and Quilpie.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 1,328 tests.
• 9 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 85 new from 28,362 tests, 80 locally acquired, 5 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1153 active cases, 50 in hospital (average age of 44), 4 in ICU.
• 77 new cases were in Auckland, 2 in Waikato, 1 in Northland. 34 of these cases are linked (including 16 household contacts), 46 remain unlinked with investigations continuing.
• List of exposure sites.

Australia COVID-19 update 25 October 2021

Australia wide — 1764 new locally acquired cases, 0 new OS acquired case, 11 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,461 new from 59,905 tests, all locally acquired, 7 deaths.
• 24,831 active cases, 802 in hospital, 152 in ICU, 92 ventilated.
• Deaths: A woman in her 20s, a man in his 40s, a man in 60s, 2 women and a man in their 80s and a man in his 90s.
• Two-thirds of Victoria’s new cases every day are unvaccinated, health authorities have revealed.
• Particular areas of concern are the LGAs of Wyndham, where 96% of the new cases aged under 40 were not fully vaccinated, and Hume, where 97% under 40 were not fully vaccinated.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 294 new from 59,612 tests, all locally acquired, 4 deaths.
• About 4,900 active cases, 474 in hospital, 116 in ICU,  ventilated.
• There have been 67,910 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 502 deaths.
• Deaths: 3 men and 1 woman; 1 in their 40s (unvaccinated), 2 in their 60s (1 dose), 1 in their 70s (fully vaccinated). All four people had underlying health conditions. 2 from Sydney’s Inner West, 1 SW Sydney, 1 Central Coast.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 59 Hunter New England, 54 SW Sydney, 46 Murrumbidgee, 30 Mid North Coast, 24 Western Sydney, 18 SE Sydney, 10 Sydney, 8 Central Coast, 8 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 8 Northern Sydney, 6 Nepean Blue Mountains, 6 Western NSW, 5 Far West NSW, 3 Southern NSW, 1 Northern NSW, 1 in a correctional setting, 7 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 9 new with 647 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 332 active cases, 20 in hospital, 10 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 0 new from 5,978 tests.
• 22 active cases, 15 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• Regional Queensland set to miss 80% vaccination target for state borders reopen authorities warn, with concern about vaccination rates on the Gold Coast at 70.4%.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 902 tests.
• 6 active cases, 0 in hospital.
• 75% of the NT eligible population is now fully vaccinated.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 3,982 tests.
• 3 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 8724 tests (over 72 hours).
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 2,363 tests (over 72 hours).
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 111 new from 24,343 tests, 109 locally acquired, 2 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1256 active cases, 35 in hospital, 5 in ICU.
• 103 new cases were in Auckland, 4 in Waikato, 2 in Northland. 47 of these cases are linked (including 30 household contacts) and 62 remain unlinked with investigations continuing.
• List of exposure sites.

Australia COVID-19 update 26 October 2021

Australia wide — 1806 new locally acquired cases, 2 new OS acquired cases, 5 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,510 new from 55,679 tests, all locally acquired, 4 deaths.
• 24,715 active cases, 817 in hospital, 147 in ICU, 88 ventilated.
• Deaths: Four deaths, all in their 80s.
• Casey and Greater Dandenong had the highest number of new cases, with 169 and 140 respectively. The 10 LGAs with the highest number of new cases are Casey, Cardinia, Melton, Wyndham, Greater Dandenong, Whittlesea, Hume, Brimbank, Melbourne and Latrobe.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 284 new from 71,352 tests, 282 locally acquired, 2 OS travellers in hotel quarantine, 1 death.
• About 4,900 active cases, 457 in hospital, 109 in ICU, 57 ventilated.
• There have been 68,180 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 503 deaths.
• Death: An unvaccinated Wollongong man in his 80s died at Wollongong Hospital.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 49 Hunter New England, 45 Murrumbidgee, 41 SW Sydney, 33 Mid North Coast, 30 Western Sydney, 28 SE Sydney, 12 Sydney, 7 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 7 Western NSW, 6 Northern NSW, 6 Southern NSW, 5 Nepean Blue Mountains, 3 Northern Sydney, 2 Central Coast, 1 Far West NSW, 1 in a correctional setting, 6 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• There are now more new cases being detected in regional NSW than in Greater Sydney.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 12 new with 1,733 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 296 active cases, 15 in hospital, 9 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• Health authorities say it's too early to tell whether the high vaccination rate or low testing levels are responsible for the drop in new case numbers.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 2 new from 8,779 tests, both locally acquired.
• 24 active cases, 15 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• One new case is a Melbourne woman detected in home quarantine, considered low risk. The other is an unvaccinated 17-year-old boy from the Gold Coast who had contact with a positive case who had travelled from NSW. Investigations underway in as to how that person got into Queensland.
• A third case, a truck driver from Gympie who travelled to Bundaberg, tested positive in NSW and will be counted as part of that state's figures.
• List of exposure sites. New added

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 6 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 4,564 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 735 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 79 new from 14,430 tests, all locally acquired.
• 1232 active cases, 37 in hospital, 4 in ICU.
• 75 new cases were in Auckland, 2 in Waikato. 46 of these cases are linked, including 24 household contacts, and 33 remain unlinked with investigations continuing.
• List of exposure sites.

Australia COVID-19 update 27 October 2021

Australia wide — 1848 new locally acquired cases, 2 new OS acquired cases, 16 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,534 new from 83,210 tests, all locally acquired, 13 deaths.
• 24,164 active cases, 748 in hospital, 138 in ICU (95% unvaccinated), 87 ventilated.
• Deaths: 13 deaths were recorded including a man in his 30s, a woman in her 40s, 4 men and a woman in their 60s, 2 men and 3 women in their 80s and a woman in her 90s.
• Just under half a million Victorians have not had their first COVID vaccine dose.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 305 new from 89,875 tests, 304 locally acquired, 1 OS traveller in hotel quarantine, 3 deaths.
• About 4,500 active cases, 418 in hospital, 97 in ICU, 43 ventilated.
• There have been 68,474 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 506 deaths.
• Deaths: 2 men and 1 woman (2 unvaccinated 1 one dose); 1 person in their 30s, 1 in their 70s, 1 in their 80s; 2 from Sydney’s inner west, 1 from western Sydney.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 83 Hunter New England, 38 Murrumbidgee, 36 SW Sydney, 22 Mid North Coast, 22 Sydney, 18 SE Sydney, 18 Western Sydney, 15 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 13 Northern Sydney, 11 Southern NSW, 7 Western NSW, 6 Nepean Blue Mountains, 3 Central Coast, 2 in a correctional setting, 1 Northern NSW, 1 Far West NSW, 8 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Virus fragments detected in sewage from across NSW including in Leeton and Inverell.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 10 new with 1,022 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 280 active cases, 11 in hospital, 6 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• The ACT is the first jurisdiction to pass the 90% fully vaccinated target.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 1 new from 10,103 tests, an OS traveller in hotel quarantine.
• 17 active cases, 13 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• List of exposure sites.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 3,184 tests (over 48 hours).
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 4,508 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 7,563 tests (over 48 hours).
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 765 tests.
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 78 new from 17,536 tests, 74 locally acquired, 4 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1304 active cases, 41 in hospital, 5 in ICU.
• 68 new cases are in Auckland, 6 in Waikato. 43 of these cases are linked, including 18 household contacts, 31 remain unlinked with investigations continuing.
• List of exposure sites.

Australia COVID-19 update 28 October 2021

Australia wide — 2224 new locally acquired cases, 1 new OS acquired case, 27 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,923 new from 82,648 tests, all locally acquired, 25 deaths.
• 22,189 active cases, 746 in hospital, 137 in ICU, 85 ventilated.
• Deaths: 25 deaths including a man in his 40s, a man and a woman in their 50s, 2 men in their 60s, 4 men and 2 women in their 70s, 6 men and 4 women in their 80s, 4 women in their 90s.
• The City of Casey in Melbourne's south-east still had the highest number of new cases with 193. Glen Eira, also in the south-east, recorded 57 new cases yesterday (a significant uptick).
• In regional Victoria, there were 38 new cases in Wodonga, where testing resources have come under significant pressure as the community works to curb an outbreak in the border city.
• Deakin University epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett said she expects the trend of high numbers in Victoria to continue.
• Half of all refugee detainees inside Melbourne's Park Hotel have tested positive, and others are worried the virus will continue to spread with no open windows and shared facilities.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 293 new from 89,678 tests, all locally acquired, 2 deaths.
• 4,068 active cases, 381 in hospital, 82 in ICU, 38 ventilated.
• There have been 68,756 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 508 deaths.
• Deaths: A fully vaccinated woman in her 90s died at the Tarrawanna aged care facility, north of Wollongong, where she acquired her infection, the third death linked to an outbreak at this facility. A man in his 70s died at St George Hospital (one dose received).
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 79 Hunter New England, 51 SW Sydney, 30 Murrumbidgee, 26 Western Sydney, 22 Sydney, 18 Mid North Coast, 14 SE Sydney, 12 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 11 Nepean Blue Mountains, 9 Northern Sydney, 6 Western NSW, 5 Southern NSW, 4 Central Coast, 6 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Virus fragments detected in sewage from across NSW including in Barraba, Moree, and Uralla.
• The majority of new cases are still being diagnosed outside of Sydney.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 8 new with 1,212 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 258 active cases, 10 in hospital, 7 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 1 new from 8,395 tests, a flight crew member in hotel quarantine.
• 17 active cases, 12 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• Premier warns "A tsunami of COVID cases will follow people who are coming in from interstate and we must get prepared and we must get vaccinated". Queenslanders have "three days to V-day" if they hope to be fully protected against the virus when the state's borders reopen to interstate virus hotspots, planned for December 17.
• List of exposure sites.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 4,644 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 2,837 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 723 tests.
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 97 new from 25,893 tests, 90 locally acquired, 7 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1393 active cases, 37 in hospital, 5 in ICU.
• 83 new cases are in Auckland, 2 in Waikato, 2 in Christchurch.
• 39 of today’s cases are linked (including 26 household contacts) and 50 remain unlinked, with investigations continuing.
• The 2 positive cases recorded in Christchurch are from the same household. One member of the household had recently returned from Auckland. Both are unvaccinated and hadn't used the COVID Tracer app. They had no major exposure events, and nine close contacts across three households have been identified and are self-isolating. These are the first cases in Christchurch in over a year.
• List of exposure sites.

VACCINES
• ATAGI has now recommended booster shots be rolled out to adults.
• While the booster program will officially start on November 8, some residents in aged and disability care would start receiving them as early as today.

WORLD
• COVID cases in Singapore surge suddenly. Case numbers jumped from about 3,300 on Wednesday to 5,300 yesterday – by far the highest daily rise since the pandemic began.

Australia COVID-19 update 29 October 2021

Australia wide — 1933 new locally acquired cases, 2 new OS acquired cases, 12 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,656 new from 70,180 tests, 1655 locally acquired, 1 OS traveller in hotel quarantine, 10 deaths.
• 23,730 active cases, 738 in hospital, 130 in ICU, 85 ventilated.
• The 10 deaths ranged from people aged in their 40s to some in their 90s.
• CHO Brett Sutton said in terms of trends, the state was witnessing a steady move towards even younger cases as those over 20 were getting vaccinated with 37% of new cases aged under 20.
• Victoria expected to hit the 80% fully vaccinated target tomorrow.
• Victoria will not be doing daily COVID press conferences anymore.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 269 new from 82,840 tests, 268 locally acquired, 1 OS traveller in hotel quarantine, 2 deaths.
• 3,960 active cases, 363 in hospital, 80 in ICU, 32 ventilated.
• There have been 69,008 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 510 deaths.
• Both people who died acquired their infections in aged care facilities. A man in his 70s died at Mercy Place Aged Care Facility in Albury and a woman in her 90s died at the Tarrawanna aged care facility, north of Wollongong.
• The majority of new cases are still being diagnosed in regional NSW.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 54 Hunter New England (Newcastle 231, Cessnock 132, Maitland 122), 52 Murrumbidgee (Albury LGA 321), 41 SW Sydney, 29 Sydney, 21 Western Sydney, 13 Mid North Coast, 12 Nepean Blue Mountains, 11 SE Sydney, 8 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 7 Southern NSW, 4 Central Coast, 3 Northern Sydney, 3 Far West NSW, 1 Western NSW, 1 Northern NSW, 8 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Virus fragments detected in sewage from across NSW including in Mullumbimby, Quirindi, Coonabarabran, Nyngan, Corowa and Holbrook.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 10 new with 1,680 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 234 active cases, 9 in hospital, 6 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 0 new from 8,799 tests.
• 17 active cases, 14 in hospital, 0 in ICU. 

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 2,701 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 4,396 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 2,553 tests.
• 0 active case, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 755 tests.
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

AUSTRALIA VACCINES
• Federal Health Minister Mr Hunt says 85.2% of over 50s are fully vaccinated. In the over 70s, 98.9% have one dose and almost 90% are fully vaccinated.

NEW ZEALAND
• 128 new from 31,093 tests, 125 locally acquired, 3 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1516 active cases, 39 in hospital, 4 in ICU.
• 118 new cases are in Auckland, 4 in Waikato, 2 in Christchurch, 1 in Northland.
• 74 of today’s cases are linked (including 29 household contacts) and 51 remain under investigation.
• List of exposure sites.

Australia COVID-19 update 30 October 2021

Australia wide — 1600 new locally acquired cases, 1 new OS acquired case, 14 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,355 new from 68,484 tests, all locally acquired, 11 deaths.
• 21,095 active cases, 747 in hospital, 135 in ICU, 83 ventilated.
• Two thirds of active cases in Victoria are in those under age 40.
• 'Upswing' in new cases in regional Victoria with 30 new cases in Mildura, 18 new in Latrobe Valley, 11 in Albury-Wodonga and 10 in Swan Hill.
• Covid Response Commander says state on track to achieve 90% fully vaccinated by November 26.
• Last Victorian daily press conference update today.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 237 new from 77,271 tests, 236 locally acquired, 1 OS traveller in hotel quarantine, 3 deaths.
• 3,972 active cases, 343 in hospital, 81 in ICU, 33 ventilated.
• There have been 69,232 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 513 deaths.
• Deaths: 3 men all with underlying health issues; a Newcastle man in his 40s died at John Hunter Hospital (1 dose); a western Sydney man in his 60s died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (1 dose); a fully vaccinated man in his 80s from SW Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital (infection source).
• The majority of new cases are still being diagnosed in regional NSW.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 73 Hunter New England, 33 Murrumbidgee, 24 SW Sydney, 23 Sydney, 17 SE Sydney, 15 Western Sydney, 13 Mid North Coast, 8 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 7 Central Coast, 5 Nepean Blue Mountains, 5 Western NSW, 1 Northern Sydney, 1 Southern NSW, 1 Northern NSW, 2 in correctional settings, 8 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Virus fragments detected in sewage from across NSW including in Leeton, Mullumbimby, Inverell and Uralla.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 9 new with 1,133 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 231 active cases, 9 in hospital, 5 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 0 new from 7,400 tests.
• 13 active cases, 12 in hospital, 0 in ICU. 

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 1,308 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 3,724 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 0 active case, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 162 new from 28,925 tests, 160 locally acquired, 2 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1672 active cases, 47 in hospital, 2 in ICU.
• 151 new cases are in Auckland, 7 in Waikato, 1 in Christchurch, 1 in Northland.
• 65 of today’s cases are linked (including 38 household contacts) with 95 under investigation.
• List of exposure sites.

How very sad! 

The Pacific Ocean island was one of the few nations to have escaped the impact of the pandemic, partly due to it closing its borders to almost all travellers.

Australia COVID-19 update 31 October 2021

Australia wide — 1220 new locally acquired cases, 1 new OS acquired case, 13 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,036 new from 56,768 tests, all locally acquired, 12 deaths.
• 22,013 active cases, 702 in hospital, 128 in ICU, 80 ventilated.
• The 12 deaths yesterday were of people aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
• The 10 LGAs with the highest number of new cases are Casey, Wyndham, Greater Dandenong, Melton, Hume, Brimbank, Greater Geelong, Whittlesea, Melbourne and Latrobe.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 178 new from 75,378 tests, 177 locally acquired, 1 OS traveller in hotel quarantine, 1 death.
• 3,678 active cases, 340 in hospital, 78 in ICU, 32 ventilated.
• There have been 69,397 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 514 deaths.
• An unvaccinated woman in her 70s from SW Sydney died at Concord Hospital.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 33 Hunter New England, 25 SW Sydney, 22 Murrumbidgee, 18 Western Sydney, 17 Sydney, 14 SE Sydney, 13 Mid North Coast, 9 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 7 Northern Sydney, 6 Central Coast, 4 Southern NSW, 3 Nepean Blue Mountains, 2 Western NSW, 1 Far West NSW, 3 yet to be assigned an LHD.
• Virus fragments detected in sewage from across NSW including in Dungog.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 7 new with 1,424 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 210 active cases, 9 in hospital, 5 in ICU, 5 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 0 new from 5,427 tests.
• 12 active cases, 11 in hospital, 0 in ICU. 

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 679 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 3,595 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 0 active case, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from N/A tests.
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 143 new from 29,514 tests, all locally acquired.
• 1753 active cases, 56 in hospital, 2 in ICU.
• 135 new cases are in Auckland, 6 in Waikato, 2 in Northland.
• 70 of today’s cases are linked (including 44 household contacts) with 73 under investigation.
• New Zealanders will be able to travel quarantine-free to NSW and Victoria from tomorrow if fully vaccinated with a negative COVID test within three days of departure.
• List of exposure sites.

Australia COVID-19 update 1 November 2021

Australia wide — 1611 new locally acquired cases, 1 new OS acquired case, 8 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 1,471 new from 46,065 tests, all locally acquired, 4 deaths.
• 21,959 active cases, 699 in hospital, 136 in ICU, 86 ventilated.
• Health Department notified of 4 deaths yesterday aged in their 70s, 80s and 90s.
• The 10 LGAs with the highest number of new cases are Casey, Wyndham, Greater Dandenong, Melton, Hume, Brimbank, Greater Shepparton, Whittlesea, Wodonga and Latrobe.
• For the first time in 18 months, international arrivals will not have to undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine upon their arrival in Melbourne.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 135 new from 62,857 tests, all locally acquired, 4 deaths.
• 3,495 active cases, 349 in hospital, 77 in ICU, 33 ventilated.
• There have been 69,526 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 518 deaths.
• Deaths: All had underlying health conditions. 2 fully vaccinated people, a man in his 70s and a woman aged 101, died at the Mercy Place aged care facility in Albury (infection source), 5 deaths now linked to this facility. An unvaccinated man in his 60s infected at Parklea Correctional Centre died at Concord Hospital. An unvaccinated woman in her 60s from SE Sydney died at Prince of Wales Hospital.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 30 Hunter New England, 26 Murrumbidgee, 23 SW Sydney, 14 Mid North Coast, 11 Sydney, 9 Western Sydney, 5 Southern NSW, 3 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 3 Nepean Blue Mountains, 2 Northern Sydney, 2 SE Sydney, 2 Western NSW, 1 Central Coast, 1 Far West NSW, 3 in correctional settings.
• Fully vaccinated international travellers can now return to Sydney without quarantine. Regional travel and other restrictions also easing.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 5 new with 978 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 170 active cases, 8 in hospital, 3 in ICU, 3 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 1 new from 5,334 tests, a returned OS traveller in hotel quarantine.
• 13 active cases, 11 in hospital, 0 in ICU. 

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 1,010 tests.
• 2 active cases, 0 in hospital.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 2,737 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 7,703 tests (over 72 hours).
• 0 active case, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 1,518 tests (over 72 hours).
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 166 new from 19,135 tests, 162 locally acquired, 4 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• NZ daily record for new cases since the start of the pandemic with 92 of today's cases unlinked.
• 1916 active cases, 53 in hospital, 3 in ICU.
• 156 new cases are in Auckland, 5 in Waikato, 1 in Northland.
• Three staff members on a COVID ward at Auckland's North Shore Hospital have tested positive.
• List of exposure sites.

Australia COVID-19 update 2 November 2021

Australia wide — 1170 new locally acquired cases, 0 new OS acquired cases, 13 deaths.

VICTORIA
• 989 new from 48,002 tests, all locally acquired, 9 deaths.
• 19,409 active cases, 667 in hospital, 127 in ICU, 76 ventilated.
• Health Department notified of 9 deaths yesterday of people aged in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
• The 10 Local Government Areas with the highest number of new cases are Casey, Wyndham, Greater Dandenong, Melton, Hume, Brimbank, Cardinia, Whittlesea, Kingston and Latrobe.
• List of exposure sites.

NEW SOUTH WALES
• 173 new from 58,988 tests, all locally acquired, 4 deaths.
• 3,342 active cases, 333 in hospital, 72 in ICU, 35 ventilated.
• There have been 69,695 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021 and 522 deaths.
• Deaths: 2 men in their 50s, 1 man in his 60s, 1 man in 70s (3 first dose, 1 fully vaccinated); 1 from Western Sydney, 1 SW Sydney, 1 Wollongong, 1 Newcastle; the Wollongong death occurred at Tarrawanna aged care facility the source of his infection, the 5th COVID death at the facility.
• New cases by Local Health Districts are 64 Hunter New England, 25 Murrumbidgee, 22 SW Sydney, 13 Sydney, 13 Western Sydney, 10 SE Sydney, 6 Central Coast, 5 Illawarra Shoalhaven, 3 Mid North Coast, 4 Southern NSW, 3 Northern Sydney, 2 Nepean Blue Mountains, 1 Far West NSW, 2 unassigned an LHD.
• NSW to ease restrictions for fully vaccinated people early, on November 8 instead of December 1.
• List of exposure sites.

ACT
• 8 new with 1,664 negative tests, all locally acquired.
• 153 active cases, 7 in hospital, 4 in ICU, 4 ventilated.
• List of exposure sites.

QUEENSLAND
• 0 new from 7,183 tests.
• 13 active cases, 11 in hospital, 0 in ICU.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 4,296 tests.
• 1 active case, 0 in hospital.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
• 0 new from 4,693 tests.
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• 0 new from 3,226 tests.
• 0 active case, 0 in hospital.

TASMANIA
• 0 new from 627 tests.
• 0 active cases, 0 in hospital.

NEW ZEALAND
• 129 new from 8,032 tests, 126 locally acquired, 3 OS travellers in managed isolation.
• 1964 active cases, 49 in hospital, 3 in ICU.
• 107 new cases are in Auckland, 18 in Waikato, 1 in Northland.
• 67 of today’s 126 cases are linked with 59 being investigated.
• List of exposure sites.