The Australian Government has secured access to two additional COVID-19 treatments to support the National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 response, following expert medical advice.
Under a new management with Roche Products Pty Ltd, Australia will be supplied with 15,000 doses of the COVID-19 antibody-based therapy, Ronapreve.
First supply of this treatment is expected to be available by the end of this month through an initial shipment of 5,000 doses and will be held in the National Medical Stockpile.
Use of this treatment will occur in line with the regulatory approval by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and advice from the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce.
Ronapreve is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies – casirivimab and imdevimab. It is designed to block infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The two monoclonal antibodies bind to two different sites of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and flag the virus as ‘foreign’, prompting the body’s immune response.
Ronapreve can be administered intravenously for COVID-19 patients in a health care facility and is expected to be targeted for use in unvaccinated people who are at risk of developing severe disease. Treatment with ronapreve has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death by up to 70% in patients with confirmed COVID-19.
In addition, the Australian Government has secured access to 500,000 treatment courses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 oral antiviral drug, to be used in combination with the protease inhibitor drug ritonavir, subject to regulatory approval by the TGA.
This treatment which is still undergoing clinical trials is expected to help to reduce the severity or onset of illness in adults who contract, or have been exposed to, COVID-19. It is expected to be available over the course of 2022, subject to final clinical trials being completed by Pfizer and the necessary TGA approval process.
This oral antiviral treatment is taken every 12 hours for five days and is designed to block an enzyme the virus needs in order to multiply early in its lifecycle.
Co-administration with a low dose of ritonavir is expected to help slow the metabolism, or breakdown, of the treatment in order for it to remain active in the body for longer periods of time at higher concentrations to combat the virus.
Ritonavir has been used extensively in combination with other antivirals for other viral diseases to help slow metabolism in a similar way.
On 1 October 2021, the TGA granted provisional determination to Pfizer Australia in relation to this treatment which means that Pfizer can apply to the TGA for approval through this fast track approval process once the clinical trials are complete.
Whilst vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19 our Government continues work to ensure that Australians have early access to safe and effective treatments as they are made available. These agreements reinforces our strong response to managing COVID-19 outbreaks and ensures that Australia benefits from new pharmaceutical technologies.
As with all COVID-19 treatments, both of these medications will be rigorously assessed by the TGA for safety, quality and effectiveness before it can be registered for use in Australia.
The TGA is treating all COVID-19 treatment applications with the greatest priority as part of the Department of Health’s response to the pandemic.
Following regulatory approval by the TGA, Ronapreve will join other COVID-19 treatments including sotrovimab and remdesivir that are already available to health professionals, through the National Medical Stockpile to help treat people with COVID-19.
Australia has also secured an advanced purchase agreement for 300,000 courses of the promising oral COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir for supply in 2022 subject to TGA approval.
These purchase agreements have been supported by the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group, which is the Australian Government’s expert group advising on COVID-19 vaccine and treatment purchases.
Further review of the clinical guidelines for use of these treatments in Australia will be undertaken by the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce.
Author: admin
Nominations now open for City of Newcastle 2022 Citizen of the Year Awards
As another challenging year draws to a close, City of Newcastle is calling for nominations for its 2022 Citizen of the Year Awards to recognise the strength, resilience and excellence of Novocastrians.
Nominations are being sought for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year, with consideration given across each category to nominees’ community contributions throughout 2021.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the awards recognised the outstanding achievements of everyday Novocastrians.
“This year has been just as, if not more, testing than 2020, with the Newcastle community feeling the sustained effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The City of Newcastle 2022 Citizen of the Year Awards are our opportunity to formally acknowledge those among us who have risen to the challenge to improve, innovate, support and lead – it could be your neighbour, friend or colleague.”
The 2022 recipients, to be announced at an award ceremony in January, will be in esteemed company. Past Citizens of the Year include Indigenous ENT surgeon Professor Kelvin Kong; ovarian cancer awareness campaigner and ABC radio presenter, the late Jill Emberson; and three-time Paralympic gold medalist Kurt Fearnley OAM.
A proud Worimi man and passionate advocate for health equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, devoting time to working in remote Australian communities and contributing to vital research at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, Dr Kong has ascended from Associate Professor to Professor during his time as 2021 Citizen of the Year.
“I was humbled to accept the award earlier this year on behalf of all of Newcastle, following proudly in the footsteps of such extraordinary Novocastrians including Jill Emberson, whom I admire to this day,” Prof Kong said.
“I am honoured as your 2021 Citizen of the Year to represent First Nations people who have been practicing medicine in this country for 60,000 years. This important work does not stop when I pass the baton to the 2022 Citizen of the Year, whose contributions I’m certain will further exemplify what the award means and the recognition it brings.”
Nominations are now open online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/citizenoftheyear or via hardcopy form available on the website or at City of Newcastle’s City Administration Centre. Nominations close 5pm Wednesday 17 November 2021 and will be judged by the City of Newcastle Award Panel consisting of the Lord Mayor, CEO, Councillors, The Grainery Church Pastor Sue Irwin and the current Citizen of the Year Award holders.
Nominations are being sought for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year, with consideration given across each category to nominees’ community contributions throughout 2021.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the awards recognised the outstanding achievements of everyday Novocastrians.
“This year has been just as, if not more, testing than 2020, with the Newcastle community feeling the sustained effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The City of Newcastle 2022 Citizen of the Year Awards are our opportunity to formally acknowledge those among us who have risen to the challenge to improve, innovate, support and lead – it could be your neighbour, friend or colleague.”
The 2022 recipients, to be announced at an award ceremony in January, will be in esteemed company. Past Citizens of the Year include Indigenous ENT surgeon Professor Kelvin Kong; ovarian cancer awareness campaigner and ABC radio presenter, the late Jill Emberson; and three-time Paralympic gold medalist Kurt Fearnley OAM.
A proud Worimi man and passionate advocate for health equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, devoting time to working in remote Australian communities and contributing to vital research at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, Dr Kong has ascended from Associate Professor to Professor during his time as 2021 Citizen of the Year.
“I was humbled to accept the award earlier this year on behalf of all of Newcastle, following proudly in the footsteps of such extraordinary Novocastrians including Jill Emberson, whom I admire to this day,” Prof Kong said.
“I am honoured as your 2021 Citizen of the Year to represent First Nations people who have been practicing medicine in this country for 60,000 years. This important work does not stop when I pass the baton to the 2022 Citizen of the Year, whose contributions I’m certain will further exemplify what the award means and the recognition it brings.”
Nominations are now open online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/citizenoftheyear or via hardcopy form available on the website or at City of Newcastle’s City Administration Centre. Nominations close 5pm Wednesday 17 November 2021 and will be judged by the City of Newcastle Award Panel consisting of the Lord Mayor, CEO, Councillors, The Grainery Church Pastor Sue Irwin and the current Citizen of the Year Award holders.
$130 million to fast track NSW Mental Health Recovery
The Perrottet Government’s economic roadmap has mental health as a top priority with a record $130 million to provide immediate access to help for anyone whose mental health has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding boost will provide more appointments for psychology and psychiatry services, address the sharp rise in eating disorders and self-harm presentations, free up more mental health beds and launch the biggest suicide prevention training program ever undertaken.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the lockdown combined with working from home and home schooling has seen a record number of people reach out to crisis lines.
“This funding means that parents, children and the most vulnerable in our community can get the help they need now,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As we navigate the economic recovery from this pandemic we must also support people’s mental wellbeing along the way.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the new funding will provide public access to private psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health beds as well as training 275,000 people in the community to become mental health first aiders.
“We want NSW to be a whole state of mental health champions, which is why we’re launching a statewide community training blitz to make sure help is always close at hand, from the schoolyard to the sports club and beyond.” Mrs Taylor said.
“This is all about fast-tracking access to boosted services to support people doing it tough right now as well as preventing the emergence of mental health issues in the future.
“Our focus over the next two years will be on supporting our young people and families, building system capacity to meet demand and supporting our communities to lead the recovery,” Mrs Taylor said.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding builds on the $2.6 billion 2021-2022 NSW Mental Health Budget – the largest mental health investment in the state’s history.
“We’re leading the nation with our COVID-19 mental health support for our communities, making sure the help is there for particularly vulnerable groups, from new parents to older adults, children and young people,” Mr Kean said.
“Mental health issues often present after the crisis, so as we emerge from lockdown and life returns to normal, this funding will mean parents and children will have free access to help, where they need it and when they need it.”
Key highlights of the mental health recovery package include:
- $35 million over two years to boost the surge capacity of the mental health clinical workforce. In partnership with Primary Health Networks, NSW Health will be able to access privately practising psychologists and psychiatrists and other mental health professionals for NSW residents. It’s estimated this will create an extra 60,000 psychiatry consultations and 85,000 consults with other mental health professionals, including psychologists.
- $20 million over 18 months to provide up to 55,000 additional services to young people through their local headspace centre. This funding will boost GP and clinical psychiatrist sessions at headspace centres across NSW. It will also enable masters and doctorate psychology students (clinical and general registration) and social work and occupational therapy students (pre-registration/masters) to undertake placements at headspace centres. Overseen by clinical educators, students will conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and deliver clinical sessions for young people.
- $14 million over two years to train 275,000 people across NSW in suicide prevention training. The training will target high school teachers and support staff; parents; youth influencers (e.g. sports coaches, club managers); community groups, and peer leaders.
- $21 million over four years to employ 18 FTE Aboriginal Care Navigators and 18 FTE Aboriginal Peer Workers across NSW. These roles will link Aboriginal Australians to a range of culturally-appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services.
- $16.5 million over four years to address the increase in eating disorder presentations. This funding will increase frontline workforce capacity to recognise and respond to eating disorder presentations. It will also fund the Butterfly Foundation to admit NSW residents into its national eating disorders centre at Wandi Nerida in Queensland.
- $6 million over two years to build the capacity of caseworkers and casework managers to provide timely support to child protection practitioners at high risk of trauma.
- $5 million over two years to fund a grants program for local community wellbeing events.
- $3 million over one year to assist NSW sporting bodies to deliver mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
- $3 million over one year to provide access to private beds for 12-24-year-olds experiencing complex trauma and eating disorders. This will be trialled in South Western Sydney Local Health District.
- $2.6 million over two years to expand Gidget Foundation’s services and provide an extra 280 psychological sessions every month.
- $3.2 million over four years to establish a Multicultural Mental Health Line – a NSW first.
Opera house lights up as NSW sails past vaccination milestone
The Sydney Opera House will be the backdrop for a special tribute to frontline workers and those who have been vaccinated as NSW passes the 80 per cent double vaccination milestone.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said images would be projected onto the sails of the famous landmark, to celebrate the efforts of so many throughout the pandemic, enabling NSW to lead the country in the vaccination stakes and reopen ahead of schedule.
“When the sun goes down on Monday evening the Sydney Opera House sails will come alive with reminders of the people who have kept us safe, either through their work or by simply rolling up their sleeve and getting the jab,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We want to thank everyone for doing their bit to look out for each other in this pandemic because it’s this combined effort that has enabled us to hit our vaccination targets and start to get our lives back on track.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the spectacle was a reminder of the freedoms that come with vaccination.
“Those who are fully vaccinated can now visit a hairdresser, watch their favourite sports, head out to dinner and catch live shows provided they follow health guidelines,” Mr Dominello said.
“The people of NSW have absolutely hit it out of the park when it comes to getting vaccinated and alongside our tremendous frontline workers we want to thank each and every one of them for contributing to this magnificent Team NSW moment.”
The sails will light up from 7pm Monday evening until midnight.
The light display builds upon the NSW Government’s “Let’s Do This” campaign which was launched in August to encourage people to get vaccinated. To book a vaccination, visit nsw.gov.au or call the COVID-19 vaccine helpline on 1800 020 080.
Additional investment to future proof indoor air quality in NSW schools
Hundreds of maintenance teams across NSW are finalising repairs and alterations to windows and ventilation systems ahead of the return to classrooms.
The NSW Government is investing $100 million in an air quality assurance program for schools as part of the economic recovery program.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the work was an extension of the NSW Government’s commitment to keeping the community safe throughout the pandemic
“As the community has adapted to living with COVID, so have our schools, and our approach to keeping them safe using a multi-layered approach that includes vaccines, on-site restrictions, mask-wearing, cleaning and ventilation,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The funding will enable us to support ongoing improvements to air quality in public schools, making schools some of the best ventilated spaces in the community.”
The program has several components, including installing automatic fresh air ventilation systems in smaller learning spaces to allow schools to utilise the areas fully.
Funding will also be directed towards replacing windows, ceiling and exhaust fans, and additional servicing of ventilation systems.
In addition, air purifiers have been sourced and will be provided to schools when individual school circumstances require the department to respond to poor outdoor air quality.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said parents should have confidence in sending their children back to school.
“Thanks to the individual ventilation audit reports, Principals know exactly how to use their spaces in a COVID-safe way – and any issues identified by the audit are being fixed in real-time,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The advice from experts is that maximising natural ventilation is the most effective method of minimising the spread of COVID-19 and our classroom ventilation strategy supports our implementation of this advice.
“What this program does is leverage the insights from our comprehensive audit and expert advice to future-proof our learning spaces not just for COVID-19, but for bushfires and other air quality issues.”
Social housing investment key to recovery roadmap
Thousands of new jobs and social housing properties will be created through the Perrottet Government’s economic recovery strategy with an additional $183 million dedicated to fast-track more than 1,400 new homes.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the investment will provide vital new homes for the State’s most vulnerable and create 1,100 direct and indirect jobs in the construction phase.
“The package boosts construction, accelerates over 1,400 new social and affordable homes and supports an extra 990 households through rent assistance, including in areas that have been hit hardest by the pandemic in Sydney’s west and regional communities,” Mr Kean said.
The package is part of the Government’s COVID-19 economic recovery strategy and includes:
- $50 million to accelerate the delivery of around 2,800 homes, including around 1,000 social homes, to be built in Western Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Coffs Harbour through Communities Plus projects, in partnership with the private sector and CHPs;
- $50 million for the delivery of around 290 new social houses in partnership with community housing providers (CHPs) through the Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF);
- $30 million for about 80 new small scale social housing, primarily in Western Sydney and regional NSW;
- $20 million for new and upgraded social and affordable homes in partnership with Aboriginal CHPs through the Aboriginal Community Housing Investment Fund;
- $20 million for about 45 new homes for large Aboriginal families to support kinship living and reduce overcrowding, aligned with Closing the Gap targets so more families live in the right size homes;
- $10 million for additional Rent Choice packages to support 990 households to secure or maintain housing in the private rental market; and
- $3 million to support around 130 additional vulnerable Aboriginal families through the Services Our Way program.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey, said the package builds on the $812 million COVID-19 social housing stimulus package announced in the 2020‑21 Budget, which is expected to deliver over 800 new social homes and upgrades to around 16,500 existing properties.
“This package will support the people of NSW through jobs for the construction industry, whilst continuing to tackle hard issues like homelessness, housing affordability and providing opportunities for home ownership,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Projects in Western Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Wagga Wagga will be accelerated, by forward funding homes for tenants to relocate into, and local businesses will be used for these local projects.
“The investment unlocks a number of projects and accelerates our capacity to deliver the right homes, in the right areas for the people who need it most.”
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said by partnering with CHPs, the NSW Government is significantly increasing the supply of social and affordable housing.
“The CHIF is unlocking exciting and innovative development opportunities which aim to address homelessness and support people who need it most,” Mr Henskens said.
“Part of this package includes additional investment in rent assistance programs which will bolster support to help vulnerable people secure or maintain housing in the private rental market.
“This package builds on the enormous work we’ve done to prevent and respond to homelessness throughout the pandemic, and will provide a robust pipeline of new housing to support vulnerable people for years to come.”
Singleton business closure
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have served a licensed premises on George Street, Singleton, with an order to close today (Saturday 16 October 2021), due to alleged repeated breaches of the public health orders.
The closure order follows a number of previous interactions with the licensee – a 57-year-old man – due to repeated and continued breaches of the Public Health Order by allegedly allowing – and not taking steps to prevent – unvaccinated people being at the premises.
Police have attended the venue numerous times in the past week and issued the licensee three PINs and staff members three PINs for breaching the public health orders.
The venue will remain closed until midnight on Tuesday (19 October 2021).
Greens call for urgent national COVID safe school plan as students return
Greens Leader Adam Bandt, Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Greens Health spokesperson Jordon Steele-John have joined teachers and parents calling for a national COVID Safe Schools action plan as students return to schools in NSW, Victoria and the ACT and public health restrictions are eased across the country.
The Greens want the Commonwealth to work with states and territories to ensure proper ventilation audits of schools, installation of HEPA filters and air quality monitoring and proper social distancing and mask wearing requirements are implemented as schools open up.
Medical experts have called for a national strategy and warned about spread of the virus in schools and increased illness amongst students, teachers and their families unless proper COVID-safe measures are implemented.
The OZ Sage medical expert group has warned that 1–3% of unvaccinated children could be hospitalised without proper protections. Currently children under 12 are not eligible for vaccination. Long COVID is likely to be experienced by large numbers of kids.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“The Prime Minister and National Cabinet must act. Schools are starting to open across NSW and Victoria and the virus is likely to circulate through zero COVID states. We need to ensure kids and teachers are protected as much as possible. There needs to be a national plan.”
Greens education spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi said:
“It’s important that school children are back in the classroom as soon as practicable, but we have to make sure it’s safe. School communities are understandably concerned. There must be Commonwealth support and coordination for all states and territories to implement comprehensive measures across all schools.”
Greens health spokesperson Jordon Steele-John said:
“We have already seen the virus spread through schools in Australia, and as schools have opened up in Europe and the United States, we’ve seen the virus spread.
“Vaccination of teenagers and teachers is not enough to ensure all school children are looked after. We need to address ventilation and other protections including masks in all schools, at all ages.
“NSW Parliament added ventilation when politicians returned to the building. If we are making these changes for politicians, we must urgently do it for our kids.”
Funding programs offer $1.25 million boost for COVID-affected sectors
Two street art festivals will help draw visitors into the city centre, increase spending with local businesses and showcase the talents of local artists, thanks to support from City of Newcastle.
The large-scale murals of Big Picture Fest will return to Newcastle in 2022 as one of 16 projects awarded a share of almost $800,000 through the City Centre and Darby Street Special Business Rate funding program, while the inaugural Little Festival will bring miniature street art to hidden locations across the CBD as one of 59 projects sharing in more than $450,000 of Community Support and Infrastructure Grants.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the funding being distributed across a range of grant programs will support industries hardest hit by COVID-19 and ensure that as restrictions continue to lift the city is ready to respond.
“City of Newcastle is committed to supporting our city as it emerges from the social and financial impacts of this pandemic and will continue to direct much-needed funds into developing opportunities in the local economy,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Supporting initiatives such as Big Picture Fest and Little Festival will not only provide a welcome influx of commissions for artists, it will also drive visitors into the city centre, increase expenditure at local businesses and help create more vibrant, activated spaces throughout the course of the events and beyond.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said Newcastle’s arts sector had been hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19, with lockdown restrictions curtailing opportunities for creatives, visual and performing artists.
“Newcastle is known for its thriving arts scene, but the challenges presented by COVID-19, including the recent lockdown restrictions, have had a massive impact on our creative communities,” Cr Duncan said.
“I can’t wait to see our creative communities emerge from the lockdown to deliver some of the fantastic initiatives being supported by these funding programs.”
Little Festival organiser Jacinta Fintan said the event would feature 40 tiny street art installations that would transform everyday city spaces into a canvas for storytelling and interaction, encouraging visitors to experience Newcastle on a different scale.
“City of Newcastle’s financial support for Little Festival has been a crucial step in turning my little idea into a brave new festival. After 18 long months of the pandemic flatlining the arts industry, it is really heartening to see bold and enterprising art funding underpin Newcastle’s arts recovery process.”
The Community Support and Infrastructure Grants assist a wide variety of projects across diverse funding streams including business façade improvements, recreational facility upgrades, sustainability and environmental programs and social inclusion initiatives. Arts, culture and heritage projects are also funded under this program, with successful applicants including the National Young Writers Festival, the next instalment in the Stories of Our Town documentary series, the Newcastle Music Festival and a multidisciplinary program of exhibitions and live events at The Lock-Up.
Special Business Rates are collected from businesses in Newcastle City Centre / Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend for the promotion, beautification and development of those precincts.
Other successful projects under this round of City Centre and Darby Street funding include the mouth-watering return of Newcastle Food Month, the inspiring creations of Chalk the Walk Newcastle, and a new project by Makers and Traders Newcastle.
Festival Director Katerina Skoumbas said Big Picture Fest is looking forward to bringing even more of Newcastle’s personality out onto the streets.
“This art is for everybody. It’s so important to reflect our local culture and to include the artists in this phase of change, a time when Newcastle’s urban landscape is shifting. There are so many blank walls throughout the city that we pass on our daily commutes and when you turn that blank wall into a canvas, you bring colour, joy and life to the whole community.”
$100 million invested in a skills-led recovery
The Perrottet Government has today committed to 103,000 additional free training places as part of a $100 million economic recovery package to turbocharge skills training and future-proof the workforce.
The recovery package contains new funding to extend the successful JobTrainer program, hundreds of fully-funded school-based apprenticeships and traineeships for Aboriginal students and funding for new ICT traineeships in the public sector.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the $100 million investment would support a pipeline of skilled workers and spearhead the State’s recovery by providing businesses with a highly- trained workforce.
“By investing in a skills-led recovery, the NSW Government is not only futureproofing jobs but ensuring people have the right skills to plug current shortages as the economy emerges from the pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW is leading the nation in free skills training in the joint Federal and State JobTrainer program with more than 136,000 people in NSW taking up a course since it was introduced last October.”
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the investment, part of the Government’s COVID-19 economic recovery package, will benefit critical industries including construction, health and IT to help NSW bounce back better.
“This is a significant investment to help the people of NSW get back to work, upskill or enter the workforce for the first time, particularly in critical industries like construction, IT, health and hospitality,” Mr Kean said.
“These critical industries are vital to our economic growth and prosperity and the NSW Government will continue to invest in training initiatives to get more people into jobs.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said apprenticeships and traineeships were critical to supporting the careers of tomorrow.
“The NSW Government has always been committed to making training accessible to everyone, and this $100 million recovery package continues this Government’s unprecedented investment in skills training,” Mr Lee said.
The package includes additional Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grants and new ICT Traineeships, which will develop and support Aboriginal students and budding IT professionals across the State through the creation of training and employment opportunities in public sector agencies.