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Details: Written by Grant Broadcasters; Category: Received; Published: 05 March 2022; Hits: 113

More than half the eligible population in NSW have received booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as the state reports 10,017 new cases and 10 virus-related deaths.

The number of positive cases is up by 551 from Friday when 9466 people tested positive.

NSW Health reported 10 COVID-19 related deaths in the 24 hours to Saturday, five men and five women.

Three were in their 60s and 70s, six were in their 80s and 90s and one was over 100.

One person was unvaccinated, three had received two doses and six had received three doses.

As of Thursday, 95.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over in NSW have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.4 per cent have had two doses.

Some 55.4 per cent of people 16 and over have had a booster dose, which is 59.4 per cent of the eligible population who were fully vaccinated with two doses more than three months ago.

Some 83.6 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 have had one dose and 79 per cent have had two doses, while 47.7 per cent of primary school aged children aged five to 11 have had their first dose.

Health officials say there are 995 virus patients in NSW hospitals on Saturday. Of these, 45 are in intensive care, and 18 are on ventilators.

Of the latest infections, 6622 were detected using rapid antigen kits, while 3395 came via PCR lab tests.

Those positive PCR results came from a total 30,419 tests.

Meanwhile, anyone who tests positive to the virus and is isolating during the NSW flood emergency has been asked to obey orders to evacuate.

COVID-19 positive people arriving at flood evacuation centres must notify staff, wear a mask and physically distance from others.

Details: Written by Grant Broadcasters; Category: Received; Published: 05 March 2022; Hits: 119

From rock stars to sports royalty, from prime ministers to the public, Shane Warne's death has been met with raw shock around the world.

Warne's death at a luxury villa in Thailand has, like his life, transcended his sport of cricket.

Mick Jagger, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe are among celebrities openly mourning the death of the Australian cricket great.

Warne's on-field foes-turned-friends including Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Viv Richards and his Australian cricket colleagues are also paying tribute.

His fellow Australian cricketers Glenn McGrath and Mark Taylor summed up the sentiment for the larger-than-life legspinner.

"I thought nothing could ever happen to him," said McGrath. "He lived more in his life than most people would live in 20."

Taylor said: "He has had a turbulent life but a very full life ... you just felt, I certainly did, he would go on forever."

On social media, Indian legend Tendulkar wrote he was "shocked, stunned & miserable".

Sir Vivian Richards said: "I am shocked to the core. This can't be true" and his fellow West Indian Brian Lara said: "We have lost one of the greatest sportsmen of all time!"

Warne's long-time Australian teammates, also on social media, were similarly stunned.

"Numb," said Adam Gilchrist.

"It's just unfathomable," said Mark Waugh.

"The RockStar of cricket! Gone too soon," said Brett Lee.

Prime ministers and politicians, and sports officials from Australia to England to India and beyond, also expressed their sympathy on social forums such as Twitter and Instagram, as did rock stars and actors.

I'm so saddened ... he brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever," Mick Jagger said.

Elton John said he was heartbroken, posting: "Shane was a magical bowler and such huge fun."

Pop star Ed Sheeran wrote he was "absolutely gutted" at Warne's passing.

"Shane was the kindest heart ... such a gentleman. He gave so many hours and years of his life to bring joy to others, and was such an amazing friend to me," Sheeran wrote.

Australian actor and movie director Russell Crowe said Warne was a "genius player. Grand company. Loyal friend."

His fellow Oscar winner Hugh Jackman wrote: "Like you all I am in shock to wake to the news ... I'm grateful to have known him, and to have witnessed his once-in-a-generation talent."

Details: Written by Grant Broadcasters; Category: Received; Published: 05 March 2022; Hits: 100

The family of Shane Warne has been offered a state funeral for the Australian cricketing legend, following his sudden death from a suspected heart attack.

News broke in the early hours of Saturday that the 52-year-old had been found unresponsive in a villa in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has offered a state funeral to the Warne family, an offer that has been supported by the federal government.

Warne, who was born in the Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully, leaves behind daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, and son Jackson, 22.

"Nobody who saw Shane Warne play will ever forget him," Mr Andrews said. "To us, he was the greatest - but to his family, he was so much more.

"Our hearts are breaking for Shane's family and friends."

Reuters news agency is reporting one of Warne's friends found the 52-year-old unresponsive in the Thai villa after he failed to appear for dinner.

They performed CPR on him before paramedics arrived.

Warne was taken to the Thai International Hospital via ambulance but could not be revived after about 20 minutes of CPR.

A Thai police officer has told Reuters the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials have spoken to those travelling with Warne, and will arrive in Koh Samui on Saturday.

"DFAT is working with Thai authorities to confirm arrangements following his passing, assist with his repatriation and provide other assistance on the ground," she said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison offered his condolences to the Warne family in a written statement.

"Shane was his own man, following his own path," Mr Morrison said.

"In those times when he could have been knocked down by the headlines, he got back up. He always did.

"We have lost one of Australia's greatest cricketers and today we are bewildered by this sad and sudden loss."

Federal Treasurer and fellow Victorian Josh Frydenberg described the former star as a "unique character with a remarkable talent".

"For Australians he was family," Mr Frydenberg tweeted. "We watched him. Laughed with him. Admired him.

"Will miss you, mate. Rest In Peace."

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said Warne was one of the greatest cricketers the game has known.

"It was a joy to watch him play," Mr Albanese tweeted. "My thoughts go to the ones who loved him the most. We will miss you Warnie."

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said Warne was a "genius" and the 52-year-old's death was an incredible shock.

Hollywood star Russell Crowe tweeted he was having a hard time accepting the news.

"Genius player. Grand company. Loyal friend," he tweeted.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger said he was saddened by Warne's passing.

"He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever," he tweeted.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Warne as "one of the nicest guys you could meet", noting his work with disadvantaged children.

Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said the cricketing legend was "larger than life".

"A living legend. No longer with us. Far too young," Mr Rudd tweeted. "Both cricket and the country so much poorer for his passing."

Australian actor Magda Szubanski, who worked with Warne on the sitcom Kath & Kim, said she was in utter shock.

"Inconceivable that a life crammed with so much genius and larrikin charm could be snuffed out so suddenly and so soon," she posted on Instagram.

"This is a shocking loss for our nation and for the cricketing world. And poor Sharon has lost her hero and the love of her life."

Details: Written by Grant Broadcasters; Category: Received; Published: 05 March 2022; Hits: 100

Flowers, meat pies and beer cans have been laid at Shane Warne's statue at the MCG following the Australian cricketing legend's sudden death.

News broke in the early hours of Saturday that the 52-year-old had died of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Reuters news agency is reporting one of Warne's friends performed CPR on him after finding the 52-year-old unresponsive in a villa.

Warne was taken to the Thai International Hospital but could not be revived.

Warne, who was born in the Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully, leaves behind daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, and son Jackson, 22.

His family has been offered a state funeral by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also announced the MCG's Great Southern Stand would be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand.

Mr Andrews said the stand would be a "permanent tribute to an amazing Victorian".