Host: Julia Baird Panel: Rick Morton, Verity Firth, Erin Watson-Lynn and Dr Mukesh Haikerwal Guests: Richie Merzian and Dr Priya Nair

As NSW records 1290 new covid cases and four deaths overnight, the state's premier says we need to stop focusing on case numbers and look at vaccination rates, as well as hospital admissions. But it's clear the health system is increasingly buckling under the strain.

Analysis prepared for national cabinet shows that although states have built up surge capacity for ventilators during the pandemic, they do not have the medical staff to operate them.

With the announcement on Thursday that another three men died of COVID-19 at their homes in Western Sydney, many are wondering why some patients are not within the reach of the healthcare system when their condition deteriorates.

NSW recorded 1-thousand and 29 COVID cases overnight and three deaths -but as the state hits record numbers of COVID jabs, fully vaccinated Sydneysiders are getting some freedoms back in mid September. It comes as surging cases force the health system to reach a breaking point.

Up to five people will be allowed to gather outdoors for recreation outside hotspot LGAs from mid-September

A second person in their 30s with COVID-19 has died at home in New South Wales, sparking concerns pressure on the state’s health system is discouraging people from presenting to hospital.

Hornsby Hospital Director of Emergency Medicine Dr Clare Skinner says the COVID-19 pandemic is “the biggest challenge” of healthcare workers’ careers.

NSW Health daily COVID-19 press conference 26 August 2021.

Sydney’s hospitals are in a state of crisis after a second major ­hospital suspended its intake of Covid-19 patients, as NSW’s health system continues to grapple with surging case numbers, amid reports of significant delays in admissions and looming PPE shortages.

Many of Australia’s health leaders are concerned that the nation’s health systems are close to reaching their limits and will struggle to cope with a surge in COVID-19 cases.

As New South Wales hits another Australian record for daily COVID infections, at 919, health officials are urging people not to delay getting treatment.

Leaders representing over 500,000 Australian healthcare professionals and 298 organisations have today released powerful video messages urging the Federal Government to adopt a zero emissions target by 2050 ahead of the critical UN Climate Summit, known as COP26, in November.

Specialist emergency physician Dr Clare Skinner says the government has to work closely with the health system to improve infection control plans.

New York City’s hospitals and health workers were overwhelmed in March last year when their city became the epicentre of the COVID pandemic in the United States. Hard lessons were learnt and these are now being shared to help inform planning and preparation for future pandemic surges. Some of the lessons also have wider application than COVID.

In the second month of Sydney's Delta outbreak, the number of COVID patients needing hospital care is growing. It's currently at 232, and 54 are in intensive care. Unions and doctors are worried an already-stressed health care workforce is under growing strain.

One in every 10 NSW coronavirus patient is now in hospital, and it's led hospital administrators to step up their pandemic plans and ensure enough beds are available. Pressure is growing on south-west Sydney's public health system in particular, and doctors warn the hospitals are already stretched to the limit

Record numbers of people are being admitted to hospitals in NSW and medical staff are struggling to treat patients within recommended times as the aftermath of Covid-19 is felt, according to a new report.

Emergency departments are clogged with seriously ill patients and paramedics are responding to record numbers of life-threatening cases as doctors warn the after-effects of people delaying medical care in NSW due to COVID-19 restrictions are pushing the system to crisis point.

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is urging federal and state governments to relieve the pressure on emergency departments around the country.