Lane Cove News Week in Review 15th September to 22nd September 2021

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

COVID-19 cases and tests by local government area as at 8 pm 21/09/2021 Last 4 Weeks Data

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

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

Active Cases

The data below the number of active cases  (active cases are cases where a person is in isolation and is being managed by NSW Health)

NSW recorded 1,035 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night.

There are currently 1,232 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 242 people in intensive care, 122 of whom require ventilation.

Of the 1,035 locally acquired cases reported to 8 pm last night, 41 are from Northern Sydney Local Health District – this is the highest number recorded so far in our area.

No new cases were acquired overseas, and 14 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 54,730.

Sadly, NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of five people with COVID-19 – four women and one man. NSW Health extends its sincere condolences to its loved ones.

Two people were in their 50s, one person was in their 60s, one person was in their 70s, and one person was in their 80s.

One person was from the Wollongong area, one was from the Kiama area, two were from south-western Sydney, and one was from western Sydney.

Of the five people who died with COVID-19, two were not vaccinated, two had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and a woman in her 80s with underlying health conditions had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

A woman in her 50s from western Sydney died at home. Her infection was diagnosed following her death.

There have been 260 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 316 in total since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 49,082 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.

There were 133,839 COVID-19 tests reported at 8 pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 121,661.

NSW Health administered 34,848 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night, including 5,881 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

Across NSW, 83 per cent of the over-16 population has received a first dose COVID-19 vaccine, and 54.2 per cent are fully vaccinated to 11.59 pm on Monday 20 September 2021.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 9,106,568, with 3,309,111 doses administered by NSW Health to 8 pm last night and 5,797,457 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59 pm on Monday 20 September 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 with 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.

The official vaccine booking link is here.

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

Lane Cove Library

Our cover photo is sourced from the Lane Cove Council who have advised:

Friendship Bubble

Children and teenagers aged 18 years and under will be able to create a ‘friends bubble’ to allow home visits provided the adults in their homes are fully vaccinated, under an easing of restrictions for school holidays.

From 12 noon today, 21 September, people aged 18 years and under who live in stay-at-home areas and areas of concern across NSW will be able to create a bubble of three friends and visit each other’s homes for play and activity, subject to the following conditions:

Each child is allowed to have two designated friends come to their house. These two friends must always be the same, creating a three-person “friends bubble”;

All people older than 18 years in all the households must be fully vaccinated;

The friends must reside within 5km of each other or in the same LGA; and

If parents/carers are dropping children off, they must not stay to interact with other parents or carers.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said our strong vaccination rate has allowed us to make this change to support the wellbeing of young people.

“Parents and children have had a difficult few months, trying to balance both work, often from home, as well as home schooling,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This change will hopefully make a big difference for families during the school holidays and allow young children and teenagers to catch up and reconnect with their friends.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said at all times; the government has tried to strike a balance between the best possible health outcomes whilst easing the pressures on families and individuals living in lockdown.

“These latest changes are aimed at giving children more opportunities to be together and balances COVID safety with their mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Hazzard said.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Sarah Mitchell said this change would also benefit older students, allowing them to create a study bubble ahead of the HSC.

“Year 12 students have had a stressful few months, and with the HSC approaching, a study bubble is a great idea to help students maintain motivation, receive support from a classmate and continue their preparation for the upcoming exams,” Ms Mitchell said.

If you have not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book in as soon as possible.

Go to nsw.gov.au for the latest information or to book a vaccination appointment.

Mask Up

Another reminder to mask up and scan in. We have been advised that another apartment block in Lane Cove has a positive COVID19 CASE in their block. Their body corporate has sent emails to all the residents and is keeping them up to date on what is happening. All common areas will be deep cleaned.

50% of Lane Cove lives in apartments and it is so important that when you are in common areas you wear your mask and comply with lift restrictions.

Local vaccination info here:

Local Testing info here:

How to Wear a Mask Properly here:

Blackman Park – Skate Board Park Upgrade

On Monday night at the Lane Cove Council Meeting, Councillor Daniel Strassberg tabled a notice of motion requesting the council investigate expanding and improving the Blackman Park Skateboard ramp. Olivier (who is six years old) made the presentation below on the need for an upgrade to the skatepark. He NAILED IT.

The good news is that the motion was adopted and the council is also looking at a place for BMX dirt jumps. The General Manager said they were trying to develop a place in Lane Cove for kids to practice their dirt jumps these school holidays, so stay tuned.

Lane Cove Council Election Survey

If you need other help, let us know, we have so many people who are offering help that we can assist you in some way. It does not have to be financial; it could be an issue that you just need a kind voice on the end of the phone.