NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has told Victorians to "be optimistic" as the neighbouring state battles its highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Victoria recorded 867 cases on Tuesday and 950 cases on Wednesday before the figure jumped to 1,438 on Thursday. NSW recorded 941 new cases on Thursday.
During the NSW press conference on Thursday, Ms Berejiklian was asked what she thought about the "incredible increase cases overnight" in Victoria.
"We've been there in NSW, it's a very scary position and I just wish our Victorian citizens and the Premier and his team the very best. It is a difficult dark time,' Ms Berejiklian said.
"Now that our vaccination rates are where they are, we can move forward with confidence.
"The one positive I will say to Victoria is because their outbreak happened a bit after ours, their vaccination rates are higher when they hit the outbreak.
"So I say to them, be optimistic about the future. Yes, it's a difficult time now but you'll get through this, as we did."
NSW is expected to relax lockdown restrictions for fully vaccinated residents on October 11, shortly after 70 per cent of people aged over 16 are double-dosed.
Meanwhile, Victoria is expected to reach 70 per cent double dose on October 26, at which time lockdown restrictions will also ease.
Ms Berejiklian said Victoria has an "advantage" because the "worst parts of your outbreak are occurring when you have higher vaccination rates than we did".
"We didn't have vaccination rates when our outbreak occurred - we had supply constraints on the vaccine. We had to fight to get the vaccines and I'm so grateful we got them," she said.
The NSW Government has previously been accused of hoarding vaccines by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews after the state got extra vaccines during its Delta outbreak.
"I signed a national plan to vaccinate our nation, not a national plan to vaccinate Sydney," Mr Andrews said earlier this month.
Ms Berejiklian concluded her answer on Thursday by saying that Victoria will follow in NSW's footsteps to reopening after lockdown.
"I say to Victorians, you will get through this. We got through it, you'll get through it,' Ms Berejiklian said.
"So I say look to the future with optimism, hang together and I'm sure you'll get through this as we did."
Shivé Prema
I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.
I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.
