UPDATE! Vaccine appointment cancellations: Premier says we all need to make sacrifices

BY JARROD MELMETH

UPDATE 11:30AM

The NSW Premier has responded to concerns from Hunter residents who had their COVID-19 vaccine appointments at Belmont cancelled.

During her daily media conference, Gladys Berejiklian told Journalists everyone needs to make sacrifices.

"There are 8 million people in NSW and all of us are making a sacrifice. If it means that some people have to wait a few extra weeks before they get their Pfizer I think people can appreciate that," Ms Berejiklian said.

It follows reports of a number of critical workers and people with underlying health issues being among those who have had appointments cancelled.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant says the regions have been deliberately spared.

"At the moment vaccinating populations in Sydney and South Western Sydney is the priority.

"Also those young HSC students are the workers. They've often got part-time jobs in supermarkets and other things. They are workers.

"They also bridge generations. That young age group through to our 40-year-olds are the ones that are predominantly transmitting the virus and so therefore I look at them as not just students but also workers out and about doing essential tasks. They're often looking after their families as the bridge between the older and younger generations," Dr Chant said.

EARLIER

BY IAN CROUCH

There's widespread anger after more than 5,000 people were told their COVID vaccine injections at Belmont had been cancelled.

Text messages were sent out on Saturday advising the Pfizer inoculations they were supposed to receive at the mass vaccination hub were being redirected to Year 12 students in Sydney.

This includes people who were scheduled to receive their second shot - despite assurances they would not be affected.

Hunter New England Health says it's aware of an issue involving some second dose Pfizer and 1a and 1b priority appointments which have inadvertently been re-scheduled.

People in these categories should call the Mass Vaccination Clinics Booking Support Service on 1800 571 155 to have their appointment re-instated.

Alternatively, people can email HNELHD-COVIDClinicBookingChange@health.nsw.gov.au

UPDATE! Removalists confirmed as COVID-19 positive cases which has closed a Wallsend Service Station

BY JARROD MELMETH

UPDATE 10:15AM

Hunter New England Health have confirmed the Coles Express which has undergone deep cleaning was visited by two COVID-19 positive removalists from Sydney.

The removalists spent 15 minutes at the service station and were wearing masks at the time, however due to the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant, anyone who attended between 2:45pm and 3pm on Saturday 17 July is being asked to immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. The workers inside the station have been forced into 14 days isolation.

Public Health Physician David Durrheim says the removalists were not aware they had the virus.

"The nature of their work means that they travel extensively all around NSW and the very nature of the exertion that their work requires means they are exhaling and huffing and puffing a lot during their work so they could very easily transmit the virus," Mr Durrheim said.

The customers who the removalists were moving have also been placed into isolation for 14 days.

EARLIER 

BY IAN CROUCH

A Wallsend service station has been identified by NSW Health as a COVID-19 exposure site.

Hunter New England Health says the Coles Express on the westbound side of Thomas Street was visited by a person who had tested positive to COVID-19.

Public Health Physician David Durrheim says anyone who visited the service station between 2.45pm and 3.00pm on Saturday 17 July is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.

The service station has been closed for deep cleaning.

COVID Warning After Virus Found In Newcastle's Sewage Network

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle residents are being urged to watch out for symptoms and get tested immediately after Coronavirus fragments were found in the city's sewage network.

A sample taken from the Burwood Beach Treatment Plant on April 21 revealed fragments of the virus.

The treatment plant serves 225,000 people in Newcastle as well as Dudley, Charlestown, Kahibah and Highfields.

NSW Health says it's likely the fragments come from people who've recovered from COVID-19 but are continuing to shed fragments of the virus weeks later.

However it's possible there are undetected cases in the community and people with cold-like symptoms are being urged to get tested and remain isolated until they receive a negative result.

Hunter Remembrance Day Services To Go Ahead

 BY EL FITCHETT

Small Remembrance Day services will take place across the Hunter Region tomorrow, after the New South Wales Government granted a temporary relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions on group gatherings.

Up to 100 people can attend official services and pay their respects at community war memorials.

Crowds must social distance, and adhere to Covid-19 Safety Plans.

With ANZAC Day commemorations cancelled this year due to the pandemic, many RSLs have taken opportunity to hold Remembrance Day events for their local communities, including:

Cessnock RSL Sub-Branch
Where: TAFE Park Cenotaph, corner of North Avenue and Darwin Street, Cessnock.
When: 11:00 am

East Maitland RSL Sub-Branch
Where: East Maitland War Memorial, corner of William Street and New England Highway, East Maitland.
When: 10:40 am

Greta and Branxton RSL Sub-Branches
Where: War Memorial Rotunda, John Rose Avenue, Branxton.
When: 10:30 am

Maitland RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Maitland Park Cenotaph, Walker Street, Maitland.
When 10:30 am

Merewether-Hamilton-Adamstown RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Gregson Park War Memorial, corner of Tudor and Steel Streets, Hamilton.
When: 10:50 am

Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Apex Park, Nelson Bay.
When: 10:50 am
NB: This is a closed memorial for 20 invited members and guests, however, the general public are able to attend the park.

Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Civic Park Cenotaph, Newcastle.
When: 11:00 am
NB: Official service will be restricted to 100 invited members and guests, however, the general public are able to attend the park, and there will be an opportunity to lay wreaths after the ceremony. Includes a fly pass by the RAAF at 11:02 am.

Raymond Terrace RSL Sub-Branch
Where: ANZAC Park, corner of Jacaranda Avenue and Port Stephens Street, Raymond Terrace.
When: 10:30 am
NB: Includes a fly pass by the RAAF at 11 o'clock.

Toronto RSL Sub-Branch
Where: Toronto War Memorial, Goffet Park, corner of Brighton Avenue, Victory Parade and Wharf Street, Toronto.
When: 10:45 am

Those who can't attend services are being encouraged by Ken Fayle, President of the Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch, to mark the occasion with a minutes silence, wherever they might be.

"We use to have 2 minutes silence, and it didn't matter whether you were in the workplace, at school, or at the shops. So, at 11 o'clock if you stand for a minute, just in silence, by yourself or with other people it doesn't matter. But just in remembrance of those people," Mr Fayle said.