Covid Australia live news updates: Victoria reports 12 new coronavirus cases as NSW Health lists dozens of new exposure sites

9.05pm EDT 21:05

NSW Health also mentioned the death of a man in his 80s from south-west Sydney who died in Liverpool hospital yesterday, but says this figure was reported yesterday.

There are currently 139 Covid cases admitted to hospital, with 37 people in intensive care, 17 of whom require ventilation.

9.02pm EDT 21:02

NSW records 163 new cases

NSW health minister Brad Hazzard has reported the state has recorded 163 new cases, off another record 93,900 tests.

Eighty-seven are linked to a known case or cluster – 62 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 76 cases is under investigation.

Seventy-three cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 26 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Forty-five cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 19 cases remains under investigation.

Updated at 9.06pm EDT

8.50pm EDT 20:50

NSW Covid update to be held at 11am

We are standing by for the daily NSW press conference, due to start in around ten minutes time.

Updated at 8.51pm EDT

8.43pm EDT 20:43

The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the news the Great Barrier Reef won’t be added to the “in danger” list of world heritage sites.

But she has called on the federal government to step up its action on climate change, including matching $2bn in funding for renewable energy, $270m for water quality, and $500m for land restoration:

“Today sets a clear time line now the for the Federal Government to show that it’s acting to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

“The eyes of the world are watching – especially with the 2032 Olympic Games. More has to be done.”

Updated at 8.50pm EDT

8.29pm EDT 20:29

The Labor MP for the federal seat of Chifley, Ed Husic, whose electorate covers the Blacktown local government area, has told the ABC his constituents are confused, and concerned about the financial support they will be able to receive, after Blacktown was added to the LGAs where only essential workers are able to leave:

I am concerned in a number of fronts. The immediate one is about people being able to work, and how they will be able to earn a living through this period of lockdown, and the fact that financial support is quite frankly are nowhere near as strong as what they have been and are causing a great deal of confusion. People in my area, based on the calls we are receiving in the office, and the broader one is the one the whole nation is hanging on, which is to get the vaccine rollouts. [The] priority for the nation now is to get supply of vaccine and to ensure manufacture of vaccine here, so we can get as many people vaccinated as possible.

Husic said he would like his area to get more vaccine, but understands the position of other states as to why they don’t want their own supply redirected. He said GPs in his area were struggling to get vaccine supply:

I noticed in today’s coverage that the prime minister apparently told Premier Gladys Berejiklian that he was not in the business of taking vaccines out of the hands of GPs. Based on local experience here, he is not much good at getting vaccines in the hands of GPs here. In fact, 48 hours ago I had a conference call with a number of GPs in my area where they cannot work out a rhyme or reason behind how vaccine allocation is determined by the federal Department of Health. Some practices are getting more than they can handle, others not getting enough, others missing out.

He said vaccine hesitancy remained a “real and live issue” around the AstraZeneca vaccine, and said it showed the need for a mass public information campaign.

Updated at 8.40pm EDT

8.07pm EDT 20:07

The NSW press conference will be at 11am as usual, but it appears the premier, Gladys Berejiklian will not be there.

The alert states it will be health minister, Brad Hazzard, NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty and NSW police deputy commissioner, Gary Worboys.

Updated at 8.20pm EDT

7.58pm EDT 19:58

An anti-lockdown protest planned for Adelaide is extremely disappointing and undermines the ability of authorities to contain the spread of Covid-19 during the current outbreak, police say.

AAP reports the car rally protest is planned for Saturday but police have warned those taking part could face action if lockdown rules are breached.

“Those who are intending to protest are warned that police will be out and about watching for any unnecessary movement in direct deliberate violation of current restrictions,” police said in a statement.

“SAPOL will take positive action in deterring and preventing any unlawful activity.”

The protest comes after record testing picked up one new coronavirus case on Friday giving premier Steven Marshall “cause for optimism” that SA can emerge from its week-long statewide lockdown on schedule next week.

Friday’s single new infection came on the back of 23,572 virus swabs on Thursday with SA now into the fourth day of a seven-day shutdown.

“It’s early days but all of the early indications are positive,” Marshall said.

Updated at 8.08pm EDT

7.49pm EDT 19:49

Victoria declares NSW ‘extreme risk zone’

Since last night, Victoria has declared NSW an “extreme zone”, which is one up from a red zone.

Non-residents will be sent back except if they are one of the limited people with exemptions, which they must apply for before they arrive.

Residents will be put into hotel quarantine for 14 days.

People who arrive without a permit will be fined up to $5,452.

Normal red zone rules apply for SA, the ACT and Norfolk Island.

Updated at 8.23pm EDT

7.24pm EDT 19:24

Queensland records zero cases

Queensland has reported no new cases, with over 14,000 test results returned.