Lane Cove News Week in Review 18th to 25th August 2021

Welcome to our week in review with up to date information on COVID19 as it impacts the Lane Cove Local Government Area.

Masks

Masks are now mandatory if you are outside your residence unless you are exercising.  You must carry a mask with you even if you are exercising.

COVID19 Lane Cove LGA Stats as of 8 pm 24th August 2021

COVID-19 cases and tests by local government area as at 8 pm 24/8/2021

*Includes all locally acquired cases (known and unknown source)

The tables show the location of residence by Local Government Area (LGA) or local health district (LHD) of locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the last four weeks. It is based on the date the person first developed symptoms. When no date of symptom onset is available (it is either under investigation by public health staff or the person tested positive without showing symptoms), the date of the positive test is used. Infections are not always acquired in the place of residence as people often travel outside their area for many reasons (e.g. work, school and shopping). Cases without an NSW residential address and people who were exposed interstate or overseas are not shown. Case counts may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case reviews.

 Source:  https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-local.aspx

The data below shows the postcodes where the cases live and includes an overseas acquired case.

2066 Cases 

2065 – Greenwich Cases

Another Positive COVID19 Case at Lane Cove West Public School

Lane Cove Exposure Site – Woolworths Lane Cove 21 August 2021

The following notice has been posted on Woolworths Website.

“We’ve been notified that a customer with a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) was present in our Woolworths Lane Cove store at the following times:

21 August – from 8:00am to 8:20am

As a food retailer, we already have very high standards of cleaning and hygiene in place, and in addition to these high cleaning standards, the store had a deep clean.

The wellbeing of our customers, team and communities is our highest priority. In line with public health advice, we are taking all necessary steps to ensure ongoing safety in our stores.

If you have been shopping in our store at the dates and times listed on the Health Departments website, please follow their advice for isolation or testing requirements.”

COVID19 Press Confernce 25 August 2021

NSW recorded 919 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night.

There are currently 645 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 113 people in intensive care, 40 of whom require ventilation.

NONE OF THE PEOPLE IN ICU HAVE HAD TWO DOSES OF A VACCINE. You can get vaccinated at our local doctors or pharmacies – details here.

Of the 919 locally acquired cases reported to 8 pm last night, 12 are from Northern Sydney Local Health District.

One hundred and six cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period, and 18 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Thirty-seven cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 758 cases remains under investigation.

Of these locally acquired cases, 178 are linked to a known case or cluster – 153 are household contacts, and 25 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 741 cases is under investigation.

Two new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night, and nine previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,266.

Sadly, NSW Health has been notified of the deaths of two people who had COVID-19.

As announced yesterday, a woman in her 30s from Sydney’s west died at home. Her death is being investigated by the coroner.

A man in his 80s from Sydney’s north died at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, having acquired his infection at the Greenwood Aged Care in Normanhurst. His is the third death linked to an outbreak at this aged care facility.

NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones.

This brings the number of COVID-related deaths to 76 since 16 June 2021 and the number of lives lost to 132 since the beginning of the pandemic.

There have been 14,673 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.

There were 149,252 COVID-19 tests reported at 8 pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 138,472.

NSW Health administered 45,073 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night, including 10,964 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 6,143,824, with 2,252,785 doses administered by NSW Health to 8 pm last night and 3,891,039 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11:59 pm on Monday 23 August 2021.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.

It remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately. When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case. Local testing info here.

Please check the NSW Government website regularly, and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19. This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed.

If you are not feeling ok, or a friend or family member isn’t, there is support is available.

// BEYOND BLUE CORONAVIRUS WELLBEING SUPPORT //

It’s natural to experience feelings of uncertainty and anxiety right now. If you’re not feeling ok, you might want to check out the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.

Call 1800 512 348 to get support now or chat with someone on their website: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/

You don’t need to be in crisis to seek support – the service is available to everyone, no matter your situation.

// LIFELINE TEXTLINE //

Some people don’t want to talk on the phone. But sometimes nighttime is hard.

You can text with someone from Lifeline. They provide short-term support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

Text: 0477 13 11 14 from midday to midnight.

—

If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger, always call 000.

Lane Cove Post Office Closed for COVID19 Cleaning

On Friday afternoon last week, the Lane Cove Post Office closed, and the notice on the door said it was closed for COVID19 cleaning.  Cleaners in Hazmat suits were cleaning Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.  Australia Post Media advised ITC that it was routine cleaning only and they were not an exposure site.

Bunnings Closed to General Public

Bunnings is now only open to trade customers and customers who use click and collect via their website.

The official vaccine booking link is here.

There are also various other tools available such as Covid Queue and Covid-19 Near me – which shows you vaccinations and testing locations and availability.

The Diddy Intersection

The Intersection at the Corner of Longueville Road/River Road/Kenneth Street near the Longueville Sporting Club (aka The Diddy) now has new lights.  Drivers are permitted to turn right into River Road West from Longueville Road (see our cover photo).  Unfortunately, the newly configured lights were switched on before the associated line marking and barriers were installed, creating confusion and more drivers turning into Longueville Road from River Road (exactly the reason why the lights were reconfigured).

The Lane Cove Council posted the following:

“Take care: The upgrade to the intersection at River Road West/Northwood Road/Longueville Road (‘The Diddy intersection’) is almost complete. Council’s contractors recently moved the poles and traffic lights to their new locations and have implemented the new phasing for the intersection.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) carried out a site inspection yesterday, Monday 23 August, and instructed Council to remove the temporary barriers, which were in place to help to direct traffic. Despite our best efforts, we were required to remove these barriers and, to date, don’t have approval to re-instate them. With these changed traffic conditions and the wet weather, we want to let residents know to be extra diligent when travelling through the intersection over the next few days – please follow the line markings on the road and to not cut the corner. We thank you for your continued patience while we complete this intersection upgrade.

The concrete median islands are due to be installed soon (weather permitting), which will resolve this issue. It will also allow for the traffic lights to be permanently affixed while minor works on the footpaths and pram ramps will complete the project.

The upgrade of this intersection addresses a long-standing accident hot spot while also allowing right turn access from Longueville Road into River Road for all vehicles (which was previously open to buses only).

Council worked with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to develop a proposal to improve the safety of this intersection, with the NSW Government providing a $1 million grant towards the upgrade of this intersection.

Key features of this project have included:

• A redesign of the Northwood Road approach to better align the through movement and exaggerate the right turn into Longueville Road;
• Addition of a designated right-turn lane from Longueville Road onto River Road West;
• Relocation of the western pedestrian crossing on River Road West to the eastern approach;
• Modification to the existing bicycle path to maintain the connection between Longueville Road and Kenneth Street;
• Relocation of existing bus stops southbound on Longueville Road;
• Adjustment to concrete medians and reinstatement of pavement at the intersection; and
• Associated signage and line marking.

In other traffic news, Council has completed its works at the intersection at Tambourine Bay Road and Burns Bay Road. Following on from our last update, the RMS’s visit to the site has been delayed due to current COVID-19 restrictions. In the meantime, they have requested Council to conduct an audit of the intersection which will take place shortly. Find out more.

NSW Rural Fire Service – Hazard Reduction Burning

Late last week, Hazard Reduction Burning was undertaken in the Northern Beaches Area, which resulted in smoke lingering around Lane Cove and the North Shore.  Further burning is scheduled for later this week, and you will probably smell smoke again over the weekend.

Lane Cove Local Tanya Stevens – Quest to Have the Omni Patch Pump on NDSS

Thank You For Supporting Our Local Eateries

Wonderful Lockdown Happy Hour – Friday 20th August 2021