Introduction by Croakey: The ongoing Sydney Delta outbreak has sent shockwaves across Australia — and, indeed, the Tasman — forcing a volte-face on elimination ambitions in favour of a so-called “living with COVID” strategy.
The New South Wales Government’s vaccine-driven plans to start easing restrictions, even as it continues to report more than 1,000 new cases a day and ICU capacity comes under strain, has stoked tensions at National Cabinet, where the leaders of several states with no local transmission have urged caution.
The NSW Government this week released modelling by the Burnet Institute on the likely trajectory and burden on the health system of the ongoing Sydney third wave, estimating that – with restrictions and vaccination trends remaining at present levels – the state’s COVID hospitalisations will peak in late October at around 3,500, with occupancy of 950 ICU beds.