Tag Archives: oceania

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Body found of Sydney father who went missing while swimming

The body of a Sydney father who went missing while swimming in the Hawkesbury River has been found.

Emergency services were called to Laughtondale, near Wisemans Ferry, after 32-year-old Sky Chan was reported missing at 6.10pm on Monday.

The Oatley father had been on a family holiday when he jumped into the water and didn't resurface.

READ MORE: NSW records deadliest day of pandemic

Emergency services were called to Laughtondale, near Wisemans Ferry, after 32-year-old Sky Chan was reported missing at 6.10pm yesterday.

"He's dived into the water, come back up at the back at the ladder, dived back under and hasn't been seen since," Chief Inspector Peter Jenkins said.

He had been on board a houseboat with his wife, two children and some friends.

A large group of emergency service crews searched for two days for Mr Chan.

His body was located in the river about 2.50pm today.

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An extensive search is underway for the body of a Sydney father who went missing while swimming at the Hawkesbury River. An extensive search is underway for the body of a Sydney father who went missing while swimming at the Hawkesbury River.

Police said the family is "devastated".

"They still had, I think, a glimmer of hope, as that's progressed and this has gone overnight, we've had to advise them this is a recovery operation," Chief Inspector Jenkins said.

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Third jab mandate not ruled out as Victoria slashes booster dose interval

Victoria is inching closer to mandating a third COVID-19 jab among more industries as the government slashes wait times between doses.

The Victorian Government today reduced the dose interval for booster shots to three months, effective immediately.

The change means Victorians who had their second dose three months ago are now eligible to receive their third dose of a vaccine.

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Man getting vaccinated. Vaccine. Needle

Premier Daniel Andrews today said he would not rule out mandating the third dose for workers other than healthcare staff.

"I don't rule out there being other groups that become the subject of a mandate," he said.

"I think we're very close to a change in policy that will reflect the fact that in order to be fully protected you need to have three doses – not two and an optional extra."

The total number of Victorians who are now eligible for a third dose has increased by approximately 1.2 million people.

The Victorian Government is delivering a four-day booster blitz to help expand the number of people getting their third dose.

Additional walk-up capacity and 60,000 more appointments will be made available at key vaccination centres, with hours extended at major hubs including Sandown, Bendigo and La Trobe University.

"Victorians will be able to walk up to our key vaccination centres and there will be more space in the system for them to book ahead," Victoria's Deputy Secretary for the COVID-19 response Naomi Bromley said.

Ms Bromley said there are tens of thousands of appointments available for people to book during this weekend's blitz.

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Victoria's South East Public Health Unit Doctor Rhonda Stuart urged young people not to be complacent when it comes to COVID-19, adding a booster dose would help increase their immunity.

"I've heard people talking, I've seen social media chats about maybe just getting COVID and getting it over and done with," Dr Stuart said.

"My advice would be that is not the way to go.

"We are seeing people young, healthy people being admitted to hospital."

Victoria records 20,769 new COVID-19 cases

Victoria recorded 20,769 new COVID-19 infections and 18 more deaths overnight.

The state has implemented an unprecedented Code Brown at hospitals as frontline health workers struggle with an increasing number of patients battling the virus.

There are currently 1173 people in hospital being treated with the virus, with 125 in intensive care units and 42 of those on a ventilator.

EXPLAINER: What is a Code Brown? Everything you need to know

There were 10,726 infections identified through PCR tests, while a further 10,043 were recorded through rapid antigen tests.

Victorian health authorities said there are 253,827 active cases in the state right now.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced today 20 Australian Defence Force personnel will be deployed to Victoria to assist with driving ambulances in order to free up paramedics as the healthcare system struggles to cope.

The ADF personnel will arrive in Victoria tomorrow, with a further six defence members arriving as part of a planning team to support Victorian authorities.

Personnel will also assist Victorian authorities by taking Triple Zero calls.

Mr Andrews said he is grateful for the assistance, as the ADF would help to fill shortages in the health system.

What is a Code Brown?

Normally reserved for short-term emergencies such as bushfires, a Code Brown is designed to provide immediate relief to afflicted hospitals.

Under a Code Brown, staff leave can be cancelled, workers can be redeployed to different departments, and non-urgent care can be cancelled or deferred.

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Across the state, more than 4000 healthcare workers are unavailable due to COVID-19 isolation rules.

For the first time, the Code Brown will be in effect across the state, affecting all Melbourne public hospitals and major regional hospitals.

It will be in place for four to six weeks, but the Victorian Nurses Union is calling for additional action.

READ MORE: Hong Kong to kill 2000 animals after hamsters get COVID-19

Victoria's COVID-19 hospitalisations could soar to over 2500 patients in the next few weeks when the hospital peak is expected to be reached.

COVID-19 Director at the Austin Hospital, Associate Professor Jason Trubiano, said the impact of coronavirus has been overwhelming on the hospital system.

"I would be lying if I said we weren't struggling," he said.

"This is the third year into a very long battle."

https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1483562911436279808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Deputy State Controller Adam Horsborough said health services have been considering calling a Code Brown for some time, but believed now was the "right time" to activate it.

"It's also a necessary step so we can help face the challenges provided by both the caseload numbers and also the workforce shortages we're experiencing across the system," he said.

Victoria has already implemented a 90-day ban on IVF treatment due to the Omicron wave, sparking an outcry from would-be parents.

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When can you get a booster shot after having COVID-19?

Nearly one and a half million Australians have now been infected with COVID-19, with most of those people catching the virus before their booster shot.

Many Australians are now wondering when you can get a booster shot after contracting the virus.

Here is what we know about the booster shot.

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Australians will be able to get their COVID-19 vaccine booster shots after four months from early next year, and then three months from the end of January.

How long after COVID-19 can I get a booster?

There is no official requirement to delay a booster shot after having COVID-19.

However, the recommendation from the vaccination advisory body ATAGI is that you wait until any acute symptoms of your illness are gone.

That means any active symptoms like a runny nose or fever.

You can book an appointment as soon as you feel well, and it doesn't matter whether you get Pfizer or Moderna.

Why do I need a booster shot?

Two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine provide a very good level of protection against serious illness caused by the virus, however this can be boosted even more with a third shot.

"A booster dose will make sure the protection from the first two doses is even stronger and longer-lasting, and should help prevent spread of the virus," the Australian Government said.

Basically, the booster shot means you're more protected against severe disease from COVID-19 or dying from the virus.

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Registered Nurse Laila prepares a Pfizer vaccine at the Belmore Sports Ground vaccination hub overseen by Dr. Jamal Rifi on October 03, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. General Practitioner, Dr. Jamal Rifi has been a GP in Australia for over 30 years, living and serving in the Belmore district from his Medical Centre in Sydney's south-west. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in Australia, Dr. Rifi and his wife Lana decided to put retirement on hold and erected tents i

Who is eligible for a booster?

You can currently get a booster shot four months after your second vaccine dose.

From January 31, this interval will be changed again to just three months between the second vaccine dose and booster shot.

In NSW, Premier Dominic Perrottet today announced today from Friday, January 21 you can get the booster shot three months after your second vaccine dose at state-run vaccine clinics.

Doctors and pharmacies will have their booster intervals brought forward from the end of the month, in line with Federal Government guidelines.

Victoria has also reduced the dose interval for booster shots to three months, effective immediately, as has South Australia.

How do I book a booster?

Simply go to the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder and enter your location and which booster dose you would like.

The website will show you all the availabilities at pharmacies, GPs and state-run clinics.

All you need to do is select one and book in.

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Moderna vaccines will be made in Melbourne.

Does it matter which booster brand I get?

You can have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as a booster dose regardless of which vaccine you had for your first two doses.

There isn't any advice suggesting that either vaccine brand is better than the other.

Health authorities simply recommend you get a booster and either brand will bump up your immunity to COVID-19.

Are boosters mandatory?

No, but they're strongly recommended by health authorities.

However, in some states, a third shot is mandatory for essential workers like health care and disability workers.

Should I have a booster if I'm pregnant?

ATAGI recommends if you are pregnant and have had two doses, you should receive a booster dose four months after your second dose.

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The eligibility for booster shots has been reduced to three months in NSW run vaccine hubs.

What are the side effects?

Common and mild side effects similar to those of the first two doses can occur for the booster shot.

This includes pain at the injection site, tiredness, headaches, muscle or joint pain, or fever and chills.

The Federal Government said there is limited evidence of serious side effects "such as myocarditis and pericarditis following a Pfizer and Moderna booster dose".