Coronavirus curve ‘flattening’
01 April 2020 by News DeskAustralia’s death toll from Coronavirus has reached 21 but the curve is flattening, according to the Australian government.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly says that less than 100 of Australia’s 4860 cases have required intensive care treatment.
But the news was tempered with a warning that the coronavirus will not be defeated without a vaccine which could be 18 months away.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged businesses to start producing medical supplies, while Australia’s medical watchdog mobilised more than 40,000 retired doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists to join the coronavirus resistance.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has announced a crackdown on hoarding and profiteering of essential goods. The government now has the power to seize items that will be added to the national medical stockpile.
Global coronavirus cases have now reached over 826,000 with the UK, Spain, France and New York all posting their highest daily death tolls.
In America the White House estimated there could be 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the US, even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.
Lockdowns across Europe may have saved 120,000 lives in 11 countries.
Around the world, more than 40,000 people have died, while more than 176,000 have recovered.
Coronavirus ‘bounce back’
Enforced lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne have created a slowdown in the city’s housing markets while traffic on Sydney’s roads fell by 30% in the last week of March as workers stayed home.
After weeks of toilet paper shortages there was an increase in wastewater blockages across Sydney as people placed non-flushable items, such as wet wipes, in the toilet.
Looking forward, despite the uncertainty around COVID-19, applications for university in 2021 have opened.
Minutes from the Australian Reserve Bank’s meeting last month revealed fears the economic fallout from the pandemic could last more than a year, but also expressed confidence the nation would bounce back.
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