Skip to main content

Covid-zero zealots insist Sydney's outbreak must get to almost zero cases before Australia's lockdowns can end - even as it looks increasingly likely that will NEVER happen

Sydney could be locked down and isolated from the rest of Australia well after it vaccinates 70 per cent of its population, hardline academics warn.  

University of NSW School of Population Health researcher Nic Rebuli said NSW should not even consider lifting restrictions until there were less than 100 cases.  

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has vowed to begin easing, but not ending, lockdown once 50 per cent of the state is vaccinated by August 28.

She expects to end the lockdown after the state reaches 70 per cent vaccination rates in October, and before it gets to 80 per cent by mid-November. 

But the outbreak is showing no signs of slowing down as the state recorded its worst day with 466 new cases on Saturday and 415 on Sunday.

A Covid-zero approach is the only way to end lockdown in Greater Sydney and reopen the rest of the country, a top expert has warned

A Covid-zero approach is the only way to end lockdown in Greater Sydney and reopen the rest of the country, a top expert has warned

University of NSW School of Population Health researcher Nic Rebuli claimed he would not even consider lifting restrictions until there were less than 100 cases

University of NSW School of Population Health researcher Nic Rebuli claimed he would not even consider lifting restrictions until there were less than 100 cases

Professor Rebuli claimed even if NSW achieved a 70 per cent vaccination rate, border closures and lockdowns should remain in place until case numbers were drastically reduced. 

His advice was despite warnings that a Covid-zero approach could mean Sydney will remain in lockdown until November or December. 

Professor Rebuli agreed, however, that bringing down cases partly depended on increasing vaccination rates.    

'NSW's hope is if they can get vaccines to more at-risk areas such as essential workers, they can bring transmission down while also increasing vaccination rates,' he told The Age.   

Ms Berejiklian previously said she is less focused on a Covid-zero policy and more determined to meet the 70 per cent vaccination target. 

Her strategy differs from other states - particularly Victoria and Western Australia - that have maintained a Covid-zero stance.  

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said it was the only way to end lockdown after his state reported 21 new cases on Saturday and 25 cases on Sunday.

'Victoria has to do its bit. Queensland has to do its bit. Every state and territory has to do its bit. The biggest challenge is clearly NSW,' he said. 

'I would encourage NSW to take all the measures it needs to, to drive those numbers down... we can't have that level of confidence until all of us have achieved the preconditions that the Doherty modelling is predicated on.'  

Monash University infectious-diseases modeller Michael Lydeamore said reopening with high case numbers would worsen the outbreak.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has vowed to begin easing restrictions sooner once 60 per cent of the state is vaccinated

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has vowed to begin easing restrictions sooner once 60 per cent of the state is vaccinated

Professor Rebuli claimed that even if NSW achieved a 70 per cent vaccination rate, border closures and lockdowns should remain in place until case numbers were drastically reduced

Professor Rebuli claimed that even if NSW achieved a 70 per cent vaccination rate, border closures and lockdowns should remain in place until case numbers were drastically reduced

'If you open up at 70 per cent vaccination with 30 cases, by the time you get to 80 per cent vaccination you may have 100 infections per day, for example,' he said. 

'If you open up with 400 cases, you're well over the 1,000 mark after the same period.' 

Modelling used to come up with the Doherty Institute's report that is the basis for the no lockdowns at 70 per cent plan predicts almost 400,000 cases in six months if there were many active cases when restrictions ended. 

There would be 1,457 deaths in that time, compared to just 13 if there were zero or low cases when lockdowns were abolished. 

Melbourne University epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely warned that even with a Covid-zero policy NSW was likely to remain in lockdown until as late as December.

'From there, there is a question over whether they might just choose to live with it,' he said.

'When vaccination coverage is higher it is easier, we believe, to achieve elimination then, as it tips the balance your way.' 

Melbourne University's School of Population and Global Health head Professor Nancy Baxter admitted NSW may never get to zero cases, but it hard to do everything to try.

'Can NSW get to zero cases? I don't know. It will take longer than two months. They have to impose all the things they've resisted until now because it maybe won't make a difference – they need to impose them now, try them,' she said.

Transmission rates comparison

The Doherty Institute has created modelling depicting expected transmission rates among vaccinated residents in a restriction-free country compared to a locked down country.

The rates have been compared between 70 per cent and 80 per cent vaccination thresholds.  

Case numbers starting with high caseload: 

 70 per cent:

 Ward Admissions: 12,337

Symptomatic infections: 385,983 

ICU admissions: 2,733 

Deaths: 1457  

 80 per cent:

 Ward Admissions: 6951

Symptomatic infections: 227,702 

ICU admissions: 1,505 

Deaths: 761  

Case numbers starting with low or no cases:  

 70 per cent:

Symptomatic infections: 2737 

Ward admissions: 88 

ICU admissions: 21 

Deaths: 13  

 80 per cent:

Symptomatic infections:  1149

Ward admissions: 37 

ICU admissions: 8 

Deaths: 6  

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o