The Australian Medical Association has cautiously backed the government’s national plan to reopen that nation but warned politicians against selling vaccination targets as a ticket to freedom. “Achievement of the 70 per cent or 80 per cent vaccination targets in the national plan or the Doherty modelling cannot be regarded or promoted as being ‘freedom day’,” the AMA’s communique said on Sunday.“These targets must be treated as incremental steps towards higher benchmarks that Doherty will provide further advice on.”Under the national plan, restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals will be eased once 70 and 80 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 and older are fully vaccinated. The nation is projected to reach the 70 per cent target in October.The statement, backed by the body’s 35-member federal council, comes after the Doherty Institute provided updated advice to national cabinet on Friday.National cabinet was told it would be prudent to maintain “medium” public health measures, such as stay-at-home orders, in areas of concern until an 80 per cent vaccination target was reached. Advice from the AMA is in lock-step with the Doherty Institute’s advice, with the communique outlining that Australia cannot solely rely on a vaccination strategy.“Public health measures including restrictions, social distancing, and personal hygiene, alongside testing, contact tracing and quarantine must remain part of the suite of measures used to effectively manage the pandemic,” the statement said. The AMA said while lockdowns remained an effective tool, the economic and social cost was “not sustainable”. “Lockdowns are an effective tool and, while we wait for vaccination rates to significantly improve, necessary to protect our health system and the community,” the statement said. “However, the emergence of the Delta strain has shown that it is very difficult to achieve elimination through lockdowns and we know that they come at a significant social and economic cost that is not sustainable.”– By Courtney GouldVictoria’s new cases grow to 507Victoria has recorded 507 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Sunday as new cases continue to rise throughout lockdown.It’s the eighth straight day Victoria has recorded more than 400 new cases and fourth in a row above 500 as infections continue to trend upwards.One new death was also announced on Sunday.Eleven people have now died with Covid during the latest outbreak, with 831 lives lost since the start of the pandemic.The health department did not say how many mystery cases there were or how many were in isolation during their infectious period.Despite the rising cases, Premier Daniel Andrews is set to reveal Victoria’s road map out of lockdown later on Sunday.Victorians will learn what new freedoms that will be able to enjoy once 70 per cent of the population is double vaccinated, which is predicted to be in late October.Face-to-face school classes, outdoor dining and extended travel limits are expected to be some of the first restrictions eased.Greater freedoms will then be put in place once the state reaches 80 per cent of people aged 16 and older with two doses of the vaccine, which is predicted to be in mid-November.No new cases were recorded in hotel quarantine on Sunday. More than 20,790 primary close contacts remain in isolation in Victoria. There are now 5262 active cases in the state.– By Jack PaynterNurse pressure forces ICU staffing reviewStaffing in intensive care units is set to be reviewed, with Health Minister Brad Hazzard issuing the order after meeting with frontline nurses. Mr Hazzard, who described the meeting as “very valuable”, said it was clear ICU nurses and doctors worked in the most “difficult” and “challenging” of environments. While the government had employed more nurses for ICUs than in the state’s history, staff had argued more were still needed. Daily Telegraph – News Feed latest episode“Our ICU nurses and doctors are the people we entrust our lives to when unfortunate circumstances befall us,” Mr Hazzard said. “I have raised that issue with NSW Health and requested a review of staffing arrangements.”Mr Hazzard met with a group of ICU nurses about their “grave” concerns in being able to look after patients adequately with existing staff amid the escalating Covid crisis.The nurses, who are members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, hail from Blacktown, Concord, Hornsby, Liverpool, Royal Prince Alfred and Westmead hospitals.The meeting, which occurred online on Thursday and involved NSW Health Department officials, followed an open letter signed by more than 700 ICU nurses to Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Mr Hazzard calling for urgent staffing increases.Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.auNAT – Stay Informed – Social Media
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