Australia: Decrease in number of new cases but increase in hospital admissions

The number of new cases of Covid-19 in Australia declined today, Sunday, as fewer tests were performed due to the New Year, but remained well above 30,000. At the same time, however, hospital admissions have risen further in New South Wales amid growing concerns about the national health system being overloaded.

The new confirmed cases in New South Wales, the most populous state in the country, were 18,728, well less than the 22,577 of the previous day, as 25% fewer tests were performed on New Year’s Eve, according to official figures from the Health Service.

However, hospital admissions, which authorities say give more weight to the total number of infections as they now learn to live with the virus, rose by 18% to 1,066.

In Victoria, the number of infections in the last 24 hours remained over 7,000 and Queensland recorded a record 3,587 new cases.

“At the dawn of the new year, we are entering a new battle with Covid-19,” said Queensland Treasury Secretary Cameron Dick. “If we can slow down the spread of the virus, it will ease the pressure on the health system,” Dick said, urging people to get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks indoors and work from home. where teleworking is possible.

With Western Australia and Northern Territory still unannounced on Sunday, the total number of new coronavirus cases in Australia exceeds 32,200, a number that is lower than the record of 35,327 yesterday Saturday.

All states, except Western Australia, have learned to live with the virus as vaccination levels have risen, and easing restrictive measures has led to an increase in the number of cases.

Five deaths from complications of Covid-19 have been reported in New South Wales and Victoria, bringing the total death toll from the outbreak to about 2,260.

Source: AMPE