COVID-19 cases are rapidly multiplying across the Australia as individual states opt for no further restrictions ahead of the holidays.

It appears that the Omicron variant is becoming the dominant infectious strain, overtaking Delta; the Omicron variant is yet to be properly assessed in terms of the health risks it imposes.

Currently, Victoria counts 2,005 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths, while hospitalisations are rising latest Department of Health briefing.

Of the 398 coronavirus patients hospitalised 72 active cases are in intensive care and 39 patients on a ventilator.

In the past 24 hours 85,112 test results have been processed in the state.

Meanwhile, New South Wales has hit the highest number of daily COVID-19 infections recorded in the country since the beginning of the pandemic at 5,715.

Hospitalisations in NSW continue to rise as well with 347 with 45 patients in ICU.

At the same time, QR codes are making a comeback in an effort to improve contact tracing as Premier Dominic Perrottet assures that the measures are “expanding our arsenal as we learn to live with the virus”.

“People have come forward to get tested in record numbers, which is important to help keep people and the community safe, but we need to make sure our testing clinics are there for people who really need it. Providing Rapid-Antigen Testing kits for those who want to do the right thing will help take the pressure off our testing clinics, while giving people confidence to get on with their lives,” he said.

Queensland on the other hand, has recorded 369 new cases of COVID-19, doubling up its numbers from yesterday. From 5am today, masks are required to be worn in Queensland in theatres and cinemas and by hospitality staff, in addition to in supermarkets and shops, on public transport and ride-shares.

Active cases per state:

  • NSW 27.1k
  • QLD 447
  • WA 7
  • VIC 14.8k
  • NT 100
  • SA 742
  • TAS 35
  • ACT 174Vaccination rates
  • NSW 76.36% fully vaccinated
  • VIC 90.78% 16+ fully vaccinated
    Australia is currently 10/38 ranked in OECD

 

We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.

Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.

More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/TsSZN6FnPy

— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) December 22, 2021