The state’s health boss has finally lost her calm composure as New South Wales recorded its worst day of the coronavirus pandemic with a huge jump in case numbers.
Renowned for her steely composure during daily Covid-19 briefings, a visibly frustrated Dr Kerry Chant looked anything but calm on Wednesday as NSW recorded 633 new cases on day 54 of Sydney lockdown.
The spread of the highly contagious Delta strain into regional areas in recent weeks has taken a heavy toll on the state’s chief health officer, with pundits suggesting she’s fed up with Premier Gladys Berejiklian and ministers ignoring her advice to go even harder on lockdown.
Dr Chant struggled to contain her composure as she issued an emotional plea to NSW on Wednesday, begging people to follow the rules.
Dr Kerry Chant looked visibly frustrated and stressed at Wednesday’s Covid briefing after the state recorded 633 new cases
‘I can’t express enough my level of concern at these rising numbers of cases,’ she began her health briefing.
‘As the Premier has indicated, every person is passing on the virus to more than one person, so we are continuing to see case numbers increase.’
She urged everyone to comply the public health orders.
‘Don’t try and look for loopholes. You know the intent,’ Dr Chant begged.
‘Please minimise your movements. Stay at home. We can get through this and I’m very confident with all the efforts in place that we can, but we need everyone to play their part.’
Commentators were quick to weigh in on the visible strain on Dr Chant.
‘The utter exhaustion and frustration on Dr Kerry Chant’s face says it all,’ The Project co-host Lisa Wilkinson tweeted.
‘Can’t help wondering if when she talks about people “doing the wrong thing” if she’s talking about the NSW government and how they have “interpreted” her health advice from the start of this COMPLETE mess.’
There are claims Dr Chant has recommended a harder lockdown for Sydney but her advise has been ignored by the government (pictured, Sydneysiders on day 54 of lockdown)
Dr Kerry Chant (pictured on Wednesday) appeared frustrated as she sidestepped questions that she and NSW Gladys Berejiklian weren’t on the same page
Heart surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp added: ‘The look on Dr Kerry Chant ‘s face every day really belies just how bad things are. Her authenticity is sorely needed right now.’
Cracks continued to emerge later in the press conference when she was grilled about claims she and Premier Berejiklian are not on the same page regarding lockdown restrictions.
‘I have been told that you are in agreement with Commonwealth health officials that this lockdown needs to go harder and you have expressed that over several weeks to the Premier and she’s not on the same page as you on this. What is your comment?’ Sky News journalist Andrew Clennell asked.
Dr Chant replied: ‘Can I just indicate the fact that the Premier is very committed to achieving the same outcomes.
‘We have a shared vision, a shared vision which is high vaccination coverage and very low levels of community transmission. I can’t restate that.
‘I don’t want to – I can’t comment any further than to say that the Premier, in all my discussions with her, is absolutely committed to increasing vaccine coverage and getting low community transmission.’
Commentators have weighed in on the visible strain on Dr Chant in recent days including The Project host Lisa Wilkinson (pictured)
The state’s health boss reiterated pleas for people to stay at home as cases continue to soar (pictured Milsons Point this week)
Another reporter demanded a yes or no answer as to whether Dr Chant has suggested a harsher lockdown and that advice has been ignored
‘It’s not as easy as that,’ Dr Chant said, only to be told, ‘yes it is’.
Dr Chant’s visible frustration has been building up for several days after wild speculation emerged on the weekend that she had resigned
She missed several daily briefing before re-emerging on Sunday, a day after unaffected regional areas joined the rest of the state in lockdown.
‘Is it just me or have we just seen Dr Kerry Chant crack it with the politicians? I don’t think I’ve seen her as clear, concise and in command of her advice directly to NSW. She cut right through,’ Channel Seven newsreader Michael Usher tweeted.
2GB afternoon radio host Jim Wilson added: ‘Agree, best CHO in the land and is fed up with the politics, she deals in science and facts!’
Pressure has been building on Dr Chant (pictured on Sunday) for several days following rumours she had stepped down from the top role