Lagatar24 Desk
Sydney, Jan 10: Australia’s state of New South Wales recorded its deadliest day since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the country in early 2020.
Victoria’s Department of Health also recorded 34,808 new COVID-19 cases with two deaths on Monday.
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said that one child died at home who had significant underlying health conditions.
Meanwhile, the Australian Medical Association has warned for extra support to bolster Australia’s healthcare system as it struggles to cope with COVID-19 amid the skyrocketing Omicron cases.
“with more people than ever before in hospital due to COVID-19, the system was leaning on individuals without providing the necessary support”, AMA president Omar Khorshid.
Meanwhile, Queensland recorded 20,293 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and a all time high 16 deaths. This record was broken 24 hours later when another 18 fatalities were recorded on Monday.
After more than 21,000 PCR tests, the state added 9581 new cases on Monday, bringing the total number of current cases to at least 90,000.
However, because at least four private pathology labs have been unable to transmit test results for Sunday, presumably due to a technical malfunction, the figures are fewer than expected.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state’s 2022 school year will start on Feb. 7, to avoid the predicted Omicron wave peak and to allow more time for children to get vaccinated.
“Delaying the start of school is a common-sense measure which is particularly important for five to 11-year-old who will be eligible to be vaccinated from Jan. 10.”