An estimated 18,000 children have been pushed into poverty since the first lockdown, with Māori and Pasifika bearing the brunt. That’s according to modelling in a report from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), which argues…

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Supermarket workers in the parts of Sydney hit worst by the coronavirus will get priority vaccine access, amid ongoing concerns over transmission in the essential shops.

In a simultaneous push to get more residents jabbed in the COVID-19 epicentre of south-west Sydney, walk-in vaccinations are now being offered in some suburbs, and several pharmacies are involved in a distribution pilot program.

The no-booking vaccines are available at hubs in Merrylands, Greystanes, Pemulwuy and Guildford, for anyone over 39 wanting the AstraZeneca jab. But the age limits appear set to be dropped shortly, with NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant expected to announce more detail on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Eleven-day COVID-19 alert after transmission hits Sydney shopping centre

Supermarket workers in the Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield and Liverpool local government areas can get the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of their age, starting on Wednesday in a program that's expected to include up to 500 jabs a day.

The relevant supermarkets — Woolworths, Aldi, Coles and Metcash, which runs IGA — announced the deal on Monday in a joint statement.

"A highly targeted COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been developed for workers at critical food distribution centres for NSW, and those who work in supermarkets within the five designated LGAs," the businesses told The Guardian.

The workers join a group of more than 10,000 teachers and school staff in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool with priority jab access. It's unclear how many supermarket workers are targeted in the the priority rollout.

The union representing supermarket, online retail and warehouse workers welcomed the deal but called for governments across Australia to go further.

READ MORE: Crackdown on coronavirus misinformation

"This is a significant breakthrough in protecting the health of frontline retail workers ensuring the community retains access to the essentials of life during the protracted lockdown in Australia's biggest city," SDA NSW secretary Bernie Smith said in a statement.

"The Commonwealth and state governments must now recognise the essential work of ALL supermarket and warehouse workers. 

"They have done an incredible job on the frontline of the pandemic, working day in and day out to keep up an essential service."

On Monday, Dr Chant said younger people would soon be able to walk into a hub and get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"There is a massive strategy and can I acknowledge my colleagues who have been working so hard over the weekend with their local health districts and community partners to identify sites that may be appropriate for walk-in visits," Dr Chant said.

"What are the most vulnerable communities? Which groups in the communities don't have access to the vaccine? And how can we make it easier to get vaccinated?

"That work has been going on day and night over the weekend and there will be some announcements tomorrow."

Last week, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommended that all adults in Greater Sydney should "strongly consider" getting any available vaccine.

The pilot program to administer shots in chemist includes dozens of pharmacies across Sydney and in regional towns such as Gulgong, Narromine, Dunedoo and Merriwa.

The trial is also limited to people aged 40 and over but under-39s can speak to their GP.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.

Residents who live above underground construction for the WestConnex project say they were offered noise-cancelling headphones to keep quiet over the racket.

Work is underway underneath Waterloo Street in Rozelle in Sydney's Inner West and locals say the noise is non-stop.

"Roaring, rolling thunder day and night," David Anderson told 9News.

READ MORE: Two people in 80s die after positive COVID-19 test

When Mr Anderson complained to contractor John Holland CPB, he said he received a pair of $600 noise-cancelling headphones.

He claimed he was then sent a legal letter asking he not talk about them, and that the company be released from any claims that arise from the project.

"This community needs respite and they make it conditional," he said.

Another resident, Mark Wallis, said it was "an act of bullying".

"It's a complete act of bastardry really and I bet they're highly embarrassed by it because I'm sure they didn't think a confidentiality agreement like that would be made public," Mr Wallis said.

John Holland CPB did not respond to media requests today.

But Paul McCormick from Transport for NSW said: "Clearly we've not communicated to the best that we could.

"But our teams go and speak to the residents every day on these projects and all I ask is the residents speak to my community team and we will work with them to come up with solutions."

The underground tunnelling isn't the only headache for residents in the street.

Next week, workers are supposed to start digging up the road to lay cabling for the Metro West.

Mr Anderson said he'll keep the headphones – but he won't be signing the letter.

A distraught father has returned to the Melbourne home where his four-year-old son was killed in a house fire.

Rithish Kirushnaneethan, four, died in the Dandenong blaze last night despite his mother and a family friend desperately attempting to save him.

His distraught father returned to the scene later today.

"I miss him," he said.

READ MORE: Victoria records 11 local cases of COVID-19

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Rithish's 29-year-old mother was cooking in the kitchen of her Leonard Street home when she walked into her lounge room to find it ablaze just before 10pm.

In a frantic scramble, the mother-of-three rushed to rescue her children from the burning blaze, alongside a family friend aged in his 30s, who was boarding at the home.

"Could you imagine it, it's your worst nightmare," Victoria Police's Dandenong Local Area Commander Peter Koger said.

"Unfortunately, they've had to try and get the three children out of the house.

"They've managed to get an eight-year-old male and a three-year-old female out of the house.

"They have gone to try and get the four-year-old out of the house and unfortunately, the flames were too great at that stage and they weren't able to get the four-year-old out."

Rithish had been asleep inside his bedroom at the time.

"Unfortunately, the four-year-old's perished in the fire."

The heroic family friend unsuccessfully raced back in to save the older boy, leaving him with serious burns.

He was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition.

"He managed to save the first child, and then he's tried to go back in and he's suffered significant injuries as a result, so he's really tried really hard," Commander Koger said.

"As you can imagine the desperation, it's just tragic for the whole family and the community."

READ MORE: Anti-lockdown protesters gather in Melbourne CBD

The mother also desperately tried to save her son, breaking the bedroom window from outside, which left her with cuts.

"The mother has also tried hard by breaking the glass once she was outside so she's got lacerations on her hands but unfortunately by that stage, the house was engulfed," Commander Koger said.

Neighbour Mamoud Elkersh, 68, also tried to get inside.

"The smoke came towards my face … I couldn't see nothing," he said.

Another neighbour, Rosida Guavarra, said she could hear panic from the house.

"(I heard) a lady screaming, 'quick, quick, quick, quick,'" she said.

Heartbroken family members returned to the house today as they tried to make sense of the loss.

The young boy's cousin Cham Saminthadarshan recalled a happy child.

"He's always cheeky and always playing around and his oldest brother is missing him a lot."

The father of the children was out running errands at the time and came home to find police and fire crews outside his gutted home.

Commander Koger said a gas heater in the loungeroom likely sparked the blaze, which had been deemed non-suspicious.

"I just ask the community to be really diligent about their heaters, especially in the colder months of winter," he said.

"We're a bit worried about the number of fires, particularly these non-suspicious type fires that have been started by gas heaters and articles of clothing that have been close to the heater or close to the flames."

The mother and her two children were taken to Dandenong Public Hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.

The family had only been living in the property for two weeks.

As investigators combed through the blackened wreckage, a floral tribute was laid in remembrance of the little boy.

"It's very hard for us at the moment," Mr Saminthadarshan said.

Woman killed in second blaze

In a separate incident, a woman's body was also found in a house fire in Laverton, in the city's south-west.

Firefighters found the woman, aged in her 50s, inside the "extremely damaged" home that had been gutted by fire just after midnight.

"FRV's Triple 000 call centre received a number of panicked phone calls for a house fire in Badge Court, Laverton," a Fire Rescue Victoria statement read.

"Firefighters arrived on scene in just over four minutes to find a single-storey brick home totally involved in fire.

"Wearing breathing apparatus, fire crews entered the home to conduct a search and commenced an aggressive attack on the fire."

Three men, aged in their 20s, 50s and 60s, were taken to Melbourne hospitals in stable conditions.

The fire was declared under control just after 1.30am and protocols were put in place due to the presence of asbestos.

The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined.

Former Home and Away actor Dieter Brummer has been found dead at his home in Sydney.

He was 45.

The actor was best known for his role as Shane Parrish in the TV soap, with Melissa George playing his love interest Angel.

READ MORE: Brisbane father killed in freak accident

The Logie winner's death was confirmed today after police found him at his home in Glenhaven, near Dural in the city's north, on Saturday.

NSW Police confirmed the actor's death.

"About 1.30pm on Saturday, July 24, officers from the Hills Police Area Command responded to a report of a concern for welfare at a home on Glenhaven Road, Glenhaven," a NSW Police spokesperson said.

"A body of a man was located inside the home, his death is not to believed to be suspicious.

"A report will be prepared for the information for the coroner."

Brummer appeared in the show between 1992 and 1996, and became a heartthrob around the world.

Friend and fellow actor Steve Comey posted a statement he said was from Brummer's family on Facebook.

"On behalf of my family, we post this today with a heavy heart," it read.

"We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter on Saturday morning.

"He has left a massive hole in our lives and our world will never be the same.

"Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years.

"We appreciate you respecting our privacy at this terrible time."

Comey posted a photo of Brummer alongside a tribute.

"Heartbreaking news," he wrote.

"We have lost a free spirit.

"Vale Dieter Brummer. Way too young, way too soon.

"My sincerest, deepest condolences to his beautiful sister Karlene and all of Dieter's family and friends."

A spokesman for Channel 7, which airs Home and Away, issued a statement.

"Home and Away and Channel 7 are deeply saddened to hear of Dieter Brummer's passing," it said.

"Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Shane Parrish.

"We send our sincere condolences to Dieter's family and friends during this very difficult time."

Brummer had small roles in other TV shows including the Underbelly franchise and Neighbours, but also worked as a window cleaner, according to reports.

Cast members and other industry figures shared tributes to Brummer.

Andy Ryan, Head of Drama at Nine, remembered Brummer for his role in the series Underbelly.

"Everyone at Nine is deeply saddened by the news of Dieter's passing," he said.

"Even beyond his iconic role as Shane in Home and Away, Dieter was an outstanding and versatile talent.

"We were privileged to have him star in several Nine dramas, and he'll always be remembered for his indelible performance as corrupt detective Trevor Haken in Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities and Underbelly: The Golden Mile.

"Our thoughts are with Dieter's family and loved ones."

Kristy Wright, who starred as Chloe Richards in the series, shared a photo on Instagram and wrote: "I don't have any words right now but my heart is screaming. You're finally free. Rest In Peace my darling Dieter."

Laura Vasquez, who portrayed Sarah O'Neale on Home and Away from 1993 until 1995 and again in 2005, and is now the show's head of hair and makeup, wrote: "There are no words RIP my friend Dieter. It's a really sad day You are now at Peace."

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

A police horse allegedly attacked during an illegal anti-lockdown protest in Sydney at the weekend is recovering well.

Photos and videos emerged of a man with knuckle-dusters appearing to strike the horse, named Tobruk, and later that night two men were charged with a range of offences including animal cruelty.

Tobruk, who was spooked but uninjured, has been lapping up treats from the public.

READ MORE: Two more people die from COVID-19 in Sydney's latest outbreak

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The police horse has been showered with gifts including carrots and liquorice.

Senior Constable Patrick Condon from NSW Police's Mounted Police Unit said the thoroughbred "performed brilliantly" at the protest on Saturday.

READ MORE: 'It won't be tolerated': NSW Police vowing to crack down on more protests

"The community support following Saturday has been brilliant, very encouraging," Senior Constable Condon said.

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READ MORE: Two men charged after 'striking horses' at protest

By RNZ New Zealanders stuck in New South Wales are anxiously waiting on the Government to organise extra return flights.Kiwis have until Friday to get on a managed return flight before the transtasman bubble fully closes for…

Two more people have died from COVID-19 in Sydney's Delta strain outbreak.

A woman in her 80s died at a house in Pendle Hill this afternoon, and a man, also aged in his 80s, died at Campbelltown Hospital this morning.

NSW Health said these are the ninth and tenth COVID-19 related deaths linked to the city's current outbreak.

READ MORE: NSW records 145 new local COVID-19 cases

In NSW, 66 people have died since the start of the pandemic.

There were 145 new local COVID-19 cases reported in NSW today from more than 98,000 tests.

South-west Sydney still remains the main area of concern for health authorities as the lockdown stretches into its fifth week.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today said details about how the lockdown will proceed will be given in the coming days.

The lockdown was supposed to end on July 31 but this is unlikely given the recent case numbers.

Ms Berejiklian said expert advice would indicate which restrictions were having "the most effect" – indicating others could potentially be relaxed.

"Please be assured that our mission is to keep the community safe as possible, while allowing people to live as freely as possible," she said.

Ms Berejiklian also strongly indicated that next week more targeted restrictions could be used in the state.

"Some settings might change," she said.

"We might need to go harder in some areas and release some settings in others."

A Māori health expert is calling on the Government to “taihoa” (wait) before beginning the general vaccination rollout, with just 10 per cent of vulnerable groups currently fully vaccinated. The numbers are even more dire for…