Dr Kerry Chant has admitted she has grave concerns about Sydney’s spiralling Covid crisis as she warned New South Wales case numbers are likely to continue soaring if residents ignore pleas to stay at home.
The state reported 415 new cases on Sunday – the second highest daily figure on record after infections hit 466 the day before.
At least 66 of those people were circulating in the community for all or part of their infectious period, with 273 under investigation.
The NSW health chief officer begged residents to follow the public health orders as authorities battle to contain the highly infectious Delta outbreak.
‘These case numbers are too high,’ an visibly emotional Dr Chant said during a press conference on Sundday.
‘We need to see these case numbers go down, and we all have a part to play. I cannot stress enough the seriousness of the current situation, and I have grave concerns these case numbers will continue to escalate.’
Dr Kerry Chant has begged New South Wales residents to follow the public health orders after the state recorded 415 new cases on Sunday
All of NSW entered a seven-day lockdown on early Saturday evening, with police handed stronger powers to enforce regulations.
NSW Police indicated it would be out in full force from Monday in affected local government areas, with officers able to impose fines of up to $5,000 for breaching health orders. Some 800 ADF personnel will also be out on the streets.
‘While we have put in additional controls, everybody needs to have a great sense of responsibility to follow the rules,’ Dr Chant said.
‘I understand how hard it is that we have been entered this lockdown for such a prolonged period.
‘But the risk we bear if we do not continue to follow the spirit and intent of all of the public health orders, please stay at home and do not leave home unless for the most essential reasons.’
Australians flocked to social media to comment on Dr Chant’s unusually stern and emotional delivery of the state’s dire Covid situation.
‘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,’ journalist Michael Usher tweeted.
There are currently Covid 318 patients in hospital across the state, with 62 fighting for life in ICU. Pictured: A man and woman out in Bronte on Sunday as Sydney enters its eighth week of Stay-at-home orders
New South Wales was plunged into a state-wide lockdown on Saturday as health authorities battle to contain the highly infectious Delta strain. Pictured: People flock to Coogee Beach, in Sydney’s east, on Sunday to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather
‘Dr Chant looks absolutely shattered. Looks like it’s taking all of her will not to weep,’ another wrote.
‘Dr Kerry Chant sounds really emotional this morning – I feel for her, her job is so difficult and grinding. She’s speaking slowing and clearly, with emphasis. Everytime she says ”very concerned” I swear I can hear a wobble in her voice,’ a third post read.
Four more deaths were recorded on Sunday, including an unvaccinated woman in her 50s, another in her 70s who had one jab, a man in his 80s and a vaccinated woman in her 80s who had an underlying health condition.
Meanwhile, there are 381 Covid patients in hospital across the state, with 62 fighting for life in ICU, including a 15-year-old who also has meningitis.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described Sunday’s numbers as ‘a welcome drop’ with much more work to be done.
She said the new cases are concentrated around western Sydney, specifically in Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Merion, Maryland, Orban and Guildford.
From Monday, Greater Sydney, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast will enter their eight week of lockdown, which is unlikely to end on August 28 as infections surge.
The state-wide lockdown was announced after rising numbers in regional areas and virus fragments were found in sewage systems in places with no known cases.
Australians flocked to Twitter to comment on Dr Chant’s exhausted demeanour during Sunday’s press conference
Journalist Michael Usher commended the NSW chief Health officer for her stern delivery
Police have been given more powers to penalise rule-breakers, with more officers to be out in full force from Monday. Pictured: Cops patrol Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Sunday
The enhanced police measures were implemented not for public health reasons but to help officers police lockdown measures, Ms Berejiklian said on Saturday.
Police Minister David Elliott says every officer in NSW is now compelled to ensure lockdown compliance.
‘From Tweed Heads to Albury,’ he told the Nine Network.
The Australian Medical Association had implored NSW to lock down the whole state, saying the health system could no longer manage the increase in COVID-19 case numbers.
‘Our already fragile rural and regional health system will be unable to cope with increases in cases,’ AMA NSW President Danielle McMullen said in a statement.
Restrictions also tighten in Greater Sydney from next week, with exercise cut to 5km from home, down from 10km for some parts.
Ms Berejiklian also announced that people in Greater Sydney will need a permit to travel to regional NSW and single people will need to register their ‘singles buddies’.
In newly-locked down regional areas, people must only leave their residence for an essential reason.
Restrictions have been tightened in Greater Sydney from next week, with exercise cut to 5km from home, down from 10km for some parts. Pictured: Police officers patrol in Coogee on Sunday
Everyone must carry masks at all times, no visitors are allowed in the home unless for carers’ responsibilities or for compassionate reasons, and those in a relationship.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said he hoped the regional NSW lockdown would not persist for longer than seven days.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced rapid antigen testing will be progressively rolled out in residential aged care facilities across Greater Sydney.
This would ensure more regular resident and visitor testing.
‘Given the rate at which we know the Delta variant can be spread between people, the very fast turnaround of RAT – around 15 minutes – makes these tests useful in preventing asymptomatic transmission and outbreaks as they can be used on a daily basis,’ Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
Ms Berejiklian has previously stated a goal of six million vaccinations by month’s end. More than five million jabs have been administered in NSW to date.