“The Delta virus is quite clearly different to the original that we had,” Professor Kelly says.
“We were very successful in those approaches to lockdown, including New South Wales up to the current rate, with a less stringent approach.
“Delta is more infectious, which is quite clearly the case, virtually 100 per cent of people in a household when there is a case will become infected.
“We know there are superspreading events that are more likely than previous types of this virus. All of those things we learned last year, those individual behaviours, mask-wearing, as most of us are doing in the room today, are needed more widely, right throughout lockdown areaa.
“Those personal habits of how we wash our hands and so forth, those lockdown measures introduced quite stringently in all the states, they help, but without vaccination, we can’t get on top of this.
“My clear message today, if you are eligible to get a vaccination, do not hesitate. The best vaccination you can get is the one available to you right now. There are slots available on the weekends, GP surgeries, pharmacies all around Australia. In state-run clinics. All over the place.
“So please, do not hesitate, those vaccines are available.”
