OFFICIAL

Dear Mr Reason

I refer to your email of 31 August 2020 in which you made a request under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) to the Department of the
Prime Minister and Cabinet in the following terms:

America's Centre for Disease Control updated provisional death counts for
COVID-19 based on death certificate data received and coded by the
National Center for Health Statistics as of August 26, 2020.

[1]https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid...

COVID-19 was recorded as the only cause of death in around 6% of the
recorded cases.

We would like a copy of the document showing how many of Australia's
COVID-19 attributed fatalities passed away with at least one serious
comorbidity.

As the subject-matter of the document you have requested is more closely
connected with the functions of the Department of Health, your request has
been transferred in full to the Department of Health under section
16(1)(b) of the FOI Act.

The Department of Health will contact you in due course regarding your
request.

The FOI Unit at the Department of Health may be contacted by phone on (02)
6289 1666 or by email at [2][email address].

Yours sincerely

FOI and Privacy Section | Legal Policy Branch

Government Division | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

e. [3][DPMC request email] | w. [4]www.pmc.gov.au

One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box 6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600

[5]cid:image001.jpg@01D30607.6CF4DA00[6]cid:image002.jpg@01D30607.6CF4DA00[7]cid:image003.jpg@01D30607.6CF4DA00[8]cid:image004.jpg@01D30607.6CF4DA00

[9]Title: Reconcilation branding and acknowledgment: The Department
acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia
and their continuing connections to the land, waters and community. We pay
respect to their Cultures, Country and Elders both past and present. -
Description: Reconcilation branding and acknowledgment: The Department
acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia
and their continuing connections to the land, waters and community. We pay
respect to their Cultures, Country and Elders both past and present.

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References

Visible links
1. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[DPMC request email]
4. http://www.pmc.gov.au/
5. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
6. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
7. https://twitter.com/indigenous_gov
8. https://www.facebook.com/indigenous.gov....

Dear Mr Reason

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – NOTIFICATION OF TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER
AGENCY AND REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION OF TIME

I am writing to notify you that on 8 September 2020 the Department of
Health (department) accepted transfer of your request to the Department of
Prime Minister & Cabinet, for access to the following documents under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):

“America's Centre for Disease Control updated provisional death counts for
COVID-19 based on death certificate data received and coded by the
National Center for Health Statistics as of August 26, 2020.

[1]https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid...

COVID-19 was recorded as the only cause of death in around 6% of the
recorded cases.

We would like a copy of the document showing how many of Australia's
COVID-19 attributed fatalities passed away with at least one serious
comorbidity.”

Request for extension of time

The department is actively processing your request and is aiming to
finalise it as quickly as possible. However, the department is currently
experiencing an increased workload to manage and respond to the
coronavirus pandemic, with a large amount of resources being diverted to
do so. The content of your request means that any documents that exist
would sit with the line area who has responsibility for the department’s
continued response to the coronavirus.

On this basis, the department is seeking an extension of 30 calendar days,
with a decision to be provided to you no later than COB 30 October 2020.

Next Steps

Could you please advise the department by COB 10 September 2020 if you
agree to the request for extension of time?

In addition, unless you advise otherwise, duplicate documents and
Commonwealth employee names and contact details below Senior Executive
Service level and mobile telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded
from the scope of your request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act.

Kind regards

FOI Officer

FOI and Legislation Support Section

[2]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220

Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group

Legal Advice & Legislation Branch

Australian Government Department of Health

T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]

GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.

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Dear Mr Reason

Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI request to the
Department of Health.

Kind regards

FOI Officer

FOI Unit – FOI and Legislation Support Section

[1]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220

Legal and Assurance Division |  Corporate Operations Group

Legal Advice and Legislation Branch

Australian Government Department of Health

T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address] 

GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.

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