The Ministry of Health’s vaccination estimates for September were blown out of the water with a further 480,000 vaccines administered above what was planned, new data reveals. A total of 2,001,208 vaccinations were done between…
Tag Archives: oceania
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Man his 30s Queensland's newest COVID-19 case
A new Queensland local COVID-19 case is 'seriously unwell' and was potentially infectious in the community for up to 10 days, sparking fears of transmission on the Gold Coast.
The man from Broadbeach was not vaccinated and has potentially been infectious in the community for up to 10 days.
He has been hospitalised and is currently so unwell that he has been unable to disclose his recent movements with health authorities.
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"We don't have any venues at this stage because as I said he is so sick that he's having difficulty communicating with us and difficulty remembering," Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said.
"This is very difficult for him, but it's also very difficult for the Gold Coast community because I can't give you those areas he's been to."
It was reported by Queensland health authorities that the man was a driver for rideshare company Uber. However an Uber spokesperson told 2GB he has not driven for the platform since September 19.
An Uber spokesperson said the company is working with public health authorities in each state and "have processes in place to temporarily remove an individual's access to the Uber app if authorities report an infection".
LIVE UPDATES: New COVID-19 case on Gold Coast
"We may also limit other individuals' access to the app if health authorities advise there is a risk," the spokesperson said.
"The well-being of those who use the Uber platform is a key priority for us, and we have a dedicated team working around the clock to support them the very best we can."
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Investigations are continuing into the positive case, but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it's believed he was from interstate. She has ruled out a lockdown.
"We are a little bit concerned about this person," Ms Palaszczuk said.
She called it "a wake up call for the Gold Coast".
"Gold Coast residents, if you have any concerns or any symptoms please go and get tested," she said.
https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1450981424165638154
Ms Palaszczuk said she was not inclined to lock down the Gold Coast as vaccination rates there were "quite good".
She said the case should serve as a warning to the unvaccinated.
"You don't want to end up like this young man in hospital, extremely ill," said Ms Palaszczuk.
What we know so far about Queensland's new positive case
Dr Young said the man lived in a resort apartment complex in Broadbeach and we understand that he was in Melbourne on October 10".
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"We are getting all of that clarified at the moment, but that is our understanding. He then came back into Queensland."
She said the man's COVID-19 symptoms were so severe that communicating with him was proving difficult.
He began to develop symptoms on October 11, meaning he was infectious from October 9.
He is currently in Gold Coast University Hospital.
Dr Young warned anyone who has been to Broadbeach that they are at risk.
Vaccine blitz continues
Ms Palaszczuk also announced a new vaccination blitz in the state.
The "Super Saturday" initiative will see over 100 schools across the state open from 8am to 2pm for people to get vaccinated.
"It's absolutely critical that people come out and get vaccinated," Ms Palaszczuk said.
She also slammed comments made by federal government backbencher George Christensen.
In a Facebook post, Mr Christensen outlined his campaign "against vaccine apartheid" and has condemned vaccination passports.
"We do not need reckless comments by politicians that are putting our community's life at risk," said Ms Palaszczuk.
"He's telling people not to get vaccinated."
Wellington property: 'Parisian' Oriental Bay apartment owned by Chris Parkin could become city's most expensive sale
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NZ council to stop paying The Wizard $16,000 a year after 23 years on the payroll
The Christchurch City Council will stop paying a performer known as The Wizard $16,000 a year after more than two decades on the public payroll to "provide acts of wizardry" for the city.
The Wizard of New Zealand, also known as Ian Brackenbury Channell, said the council had decided to stop paying him because he did not fit with the modern image of the city.
Over his 23 years on the payroll, the council has paid him a total of $368,000.
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"They are a bunch of bureaucrats who have no imagination,'' he said.
"They are not thinking of ways to promote Christchurch overseas.
"They are just projecting an image of bureaucrats drinking lattes on the boulevard.
"Their image of Christchurch is nothing to do with the authentic heritage of the city. I am the original image of Christchurch."
Council assistant chief executive Lynn McClelland said the final payment under the contract with The Wizard, which started in 1998, would be made in December.
"The council has met with The Wizard and sent him a letter thanking him for his services to Christchurch over the past decades, and informing him that we are bringing our formal contractual arrangement to a close."
She said it was a "difficult decision to end this contract".
"The promotional landscape in Ōtautahi Christchurch is changing, with new and different promotional programmes that will increasingly reflect our diverse communities and showcase a vibrant, diverse, modern city that is attractive to residents, domestic and international visitors, new businesses, and skilled migrant workers."
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The council's contract with The Wizard called for him "to provide acts of wizardry and other wizard-like-services – as part of promotional work for the city of Christchurch".
"Since 2017, this contract has been administered by ChristchurchNZ, when it took over city promotional work from the council."
The Wizard said he would keep up his regular appearances at Christchurch's Arts Centre, chatting to tourists and locals.
"It makes no difference. I will still keep going. They will have to kill me to stop me."
He said he was disappointed that he was no longer being used to help promote the city.
"I would like to know what the reason is for it.
"They are not making use of my worldwide fame. I am disappointed they haven't made use of The Wizard as part of the promotion of Christchurch.
"I don't like being cancelled."
The Wizard moved to Christchurch from Australia in 1974 and almost immediately attracted headlines for his appearances in full costume in Cathedral Square and his eccentric publicity stunts.
After the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, he played a prominent role in the wave of protest that greeted the demolition of hundreds of heritage buildings.
An exhibition of his life and work opens at the Arts Centre on Saturday.
Ironically, the exhibition is supported by a council grant.
This story originally appeared on stuff.co.nz and has been republished with permission.