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AUSTRALIA-VIRUS-VACCINE
Australian health minister “optimistic” about COVID-19 vaccine
CANBERRA, Aug 16, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt said
on Sunday that the federal government is close to reaching a deal to produce a
vaccine for COVID-19 in Australia.
Hunt said he is “genuinely optimistic” about a vaccine for the virus being
internationally available by 2021, describing recent progress as a “genuine ray
of hope.”
He confirmed reports that Australia is negotiating deals to produce potential
vaccines domestically, guaranteeing access for Australians.
“We are in advanced negotiations with a range of different companies with
regards to a vaccine,” Hunt told Sky News Australia.
“I think the world is moving closer to a vaccine, and it’s unlikely that it will
be just one, it’s likely that it will be many.
“We are well placed, highly advanced in our negotiations. And for the first
time, I feel cautiously but genuinely optimistic about the prospect of a
vaccine.”
As of Sunday afternoon there have been 23,288 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in
Australia, and the number of new cases in the last 24 hours is 285, according to
the latest figures from Department of Health.
Of the new cases, Victoria confirmed 279 and New South Wales confirmed five.
The national death toll climbed to 396 on Sunday with another 16 deaths in
Victoria, 11 of which were linked to aged care, and one from New South Wales.
“Within Victoria, 78 of the new cases are linked to outbreaks or complex cases
and 201 are under investigation,” said a statement from the Department of Health
and Human Services in Victoria on Sunday.
The department also said that there are 2,075 active cases relating to aged care
facilities and 1,164 active cases among healthcare workers in the state.
BSS/XINHUA/SSS/2017 hrs