New South Wales has recorded 92,264 new Covid-19 cases as rapid antigen tests are finally reported while Victoria’s infections have climbed by 37,169.
Out of NSW’s latest cases, 61,387 have come from RATs which were reported on Wednesday from the period since January 1, with 50,729 of these tests having been done over the past seven days.
NSW residents were on Wednesday told they must upload their positive Covid test results using the Service NSW app.
More positive rapid test results reported in the time since 8pm on Wednesday will be recorded in Friday’s official numbers.
Deaths from the virus also escalated with 22 people in NSW losing their lives – the state’s deadliest day – and 25 deaths in Victoria.
There are now 2,383 residents in NSW hospitals, a jump from 2,242 on Wednesday, with 182 in ICU, up from 175.
Hospitalisations in Victoria are at a record high of 953, a slight increase from the 946 a day ago, with 111 in intensive care.
Victoria’s cases include 16,843 rapid antigen test results.
New South Wales has recorded 92,264 new Covid-19 cases as rapid antigen tests are finally reported while Victoria’s infections have climbed by 37,169
Out of NSW’s latest cases, 61,387 have come from RATs which were reported on Wednesday from the period since January 1, with 50,729 of these tests having been done over the past seven days
An infectious disease expert from the Kirby Institute, Professor Greg Dore, predicted the peak in Omicron cases would be seen on Thursday.
‘Lots of Covid uncertainty around, but NSW Omicron wave cases to peak tomorrow a definite,’ he tweeted on Wednesday night.
Huge fines of $1,000 have since been brought in those who don’t report positive RAT results – despite Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello admitting it will be ‘almost impossible’ to enforce.
‘It’s almost going to be impossible in many ways to enforce,’ he told Nine Network.
‘But the majority of the states and territories in the country have gone down the path of issuing a fine or putting a fine in place – Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT – and some have chosen the other path of just saying please do it.’
He said that early on Thursday more than 82,000 rapid test results had been reported.
Close contacts of Covid-19 cases in NSW will also no longer have to isolate for seven days if they have left isolation after being diagnosed in the previous 28 days (pictured technicians prepare Pfizer vaccines)
The additional numbers not included in Thursday’s case tally will be added to Friday’s numbers.
Close contacts of Covid-19 cases in NSW will also no longer have to isolate for seven days if they have left isolation after being diagnosed in the previous 28 days.
Meanwhile, dozens of Australia’s top academics, doctors and community leaders have called for schools to reopen in an open letter as Omicron cases continue to skyrocket.
Thousands of students will return to the classroom in the coming weeks for the 2022 school year.
NSW and Victorian residents are now required to report their positive rapid test results to alleviate pressure on PCR testing clinics (pictured in Melbourne)
As Queensland delayed its start to term one by two weeks, a group of leading figures have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory premiers, calling for them to reassure families that schools are safe to return to.
The letter urges governments to follow the principle set by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund that in a pandemic ‘schools must be the last to close and the first to open’.
The authors describe students as the forgotten voices of the pandemic after thousands had their education disrupted for months at the time during lockdown.
Epidemiologists Catherine Bennett and Fiona Russell, former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry and Professor of Child Health David Issacs are among the 35 academics, doctors and community leaders who have put their name to the open letter sent ahead of Thursday’s national cabinet.
‘In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic we now have evidence that it is safe to allow schools to be open for face-to-face learning,’ the letter begins.
‘The national cabinet commitment to re-open schools is at risk, however, and needs to be reaffirmed by every jurisdiction, with measures taken to reassure Australian families that schools are safe to return.’
‘Children are the ‘lost voices’ of this pandemic,’ it states.
NSW residents can face $1,000 fines if they don’t report positive rapid test results despite the government admitting it would be ‘nearly impossible’ to enforce
