Both Victoria and New South Wales gave COVID-19 updates at 11am.
Victorian premier Dan Andrews announced earlier three deaths – a man in his 50s, woman in her 70s and man in his 80s – while expressing his deep condolences.
The state has recorded 1,220 locally acquired cases seeing 476 people hospitalised, with 98 in intensive care and 57 on a ventilator.
“If you are fully vaccinated, you are at but a fraction, a tiny percentage of the chance of being hospitalised and becoming gravely ill,” Mr Andrews stressed explaining that only 5 per cent of those in hospital were fully vaccinated.
“Your risk is dramatically reduced. It’s the single most important thing you can do to prevent yourself or someone you love ending up in hospital.”
At the same time, he praised the community for being responsible reaching a record number of 71,275 tests.
The premier also added that from Monday, the dose interval for Pfizer would be revised down from six weeks between jabs to three weeks.
Around 51.9 per cent of the eligible population in the state have now received two doses of the vaccine, a hopeful mark for exiting restrictions.
Meanwhile in NSW urged the state to get tested and increase the testing rate over this coming “critical” week to detect any further community transmission.
In the past 24 hours 88,000 people got tested bringing hope for the declining number of cases, now sitting at 667 cases. Sadly, 10 people passed, two of whom were in their 50s, four in their 60s, two people in their 70s, and two people in their 80s. Four were not vaccinated.
NSW, however, is right on track to start exiting lockdown in 11 October as it reaches 70 per cent full vaccination. Moreover, Dr Kerry Chant noted that from 11 October, close contacts who are fully vaccinated will only be required to be tested and isolate for seven days, down from 14 days. Positive cases will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of vaccinations.
VIC: 1220 cases, 3 people died
NSW: 667 cases, 10 people died
QLD: No cases, ZERO people died— Prof Marc Tennant AM (@MarcTennant) October 3, 2021
Moving on to Queensland, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that tonight’s NRL game will be going ahead because “Queenslanders have done a mighty job” in stopping the virus from spreading.
“Can I say to people who are attending, you have to check into the stadium, you have to wear your mask in there and you can only remove your mask when you are seated if you are eating or drinking … We have to do this to keep everyone safe so I am making it very clear that these are the conditions that have been put on by Dr Young,” she said.
Finally, Tasmania recorded one new case, reportedly being a 15-year-old Tasmanian resident that had returned from Melbourne and was under quarantine. The teen has been taken to Launceston General Hospital for assistance, and have been transferred with a family member to Fountainside, which was turned into a dedicated quarantine facility.
Four family members are considered close contacts of the teen and are also isolating.
