Hundreds of critically ill aged-care residents are being evacuated from Victorian nursing homes into hospitals, after elective surgeries were suspended to free up capacity to deal with the Covid-19 crisis. Victoria recorded 384 new cases on Tuesday, with another six deaths, including four in aged care. The suspension of elective surgeries means thousands in chronic pain will be left awaiting their procedures. John Fawkner Private Hospital in Coburg is the latest private facility to open its doors to nursing home residents, while a specialist medical team and nurses from the Australian Defence Force are being deployed into aged-care facilities. The Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer has reported 88 cases, St Basil's 86 cases, 82 at Epping Gardens Aged Care, and 76 cases at the Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes. The Australian Medical Association is calling for every nursing home in Victoria to undergo an urgent risk assessment, reports The Age. Most cases are in private facilities that are the responsibility of the federal government, but the state health department provides advice to all residential aged care facilities in the state.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia vice-commodore Noel Cornish has been identified as the link between two Covid-19 outbreaks at restaurants in Sydney, reports The Daily Telegraph. Cornish and his partner were infected after attending both the Apollo and Thai Rock restaurants in Potts Point in the same week. The yacht club in Rushcutters Bay was closed on Tuesday for deep cleaning. Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s senior advisor Nico Louw is among the Apollo restaurant diners ordered to self-isolate. As Louw tested negative, the prime minister will not have to self-isolate. New South Wales recorded 14 new cases on Tuesday, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk issuing a new call for Queenslanders to avoid travel south of the border.
A presentation on the final report of the National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission NCCC manufacturing taskforce recommends “cutting red and green tape” to ramp up gas extraction, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. The report, finalised in late May but yet to be published, recommends tax incentives for the construction of gas infrastructure and letting pipeline owners charge higher prices. The presentation suggests the recommendations will benefit developments such as the proposed Narrabri Gas Project, despite fears the project could damage groundwater in NSW communities.
A host of Australians have been nominated for the 2020 Emmy Awards. Hugh Jackman is up against Jeremy Irons and Mark Ruffalo for Best Actor in a limited series for Bad Education. Cate Blanchett received her first Emmy nomination as Best Lead Actress in a limited TV series or movie category for Mrs America. Toni Collette also features in the limited series or movie category, nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the Netflix-produced Unbelievable, while Sarah Snook was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in HBO's Succession. Award winners will be named in September.
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