As Australia hits record COVID-19 infection numbers across all states, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the further management of the coronavirus crisis in the country.

Among the key topics to be discussed is the overwhelmed testing centres, lack of rapid antigen tests and the potential slashing of the isolation period for people that test positive to COVID-19.

There are still questions raised in terms of coping with the less severe but more infectious Omicron variant as Delta is still looming.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison to call a National Cabinet meeting tomorrow. Pandemic response, testing queues and isolation requirements on the agenda. @9NewsAUS @2GB873

— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) December 29, 2021

The numbers of new cases are at an all time high today. More specifically:

  • New South Wales recorded 11,201 new infections; the highest ever tally recorded by a state in a single day with 625 people in hospital. Three lives were lost to COVID-19.
  • Victoria’s have also jumped reaching 3,767 new infections; again, a daily record. Five people passed away while 397 are currently hospitalised.
  • South Australia has also hit a record, at 1,471 new cases today.
  • Queensland is no different at 1,539 new cases.
  • Western Australia recorded 16 new cases.
  • The Northern Territory has also recorded 16 new cases of COVID-19, including nine in interstate arrivals and their close contacts, five connected to the ongoing local outbreak and two of unknown origin. Authorities are stressing over the state’s limited hospital coverage.
  • Tasmania has recorded 55 new Covid-19 cases today, with 300 people currently infected in the state.

NSW COVID-19 update – Wednesday 29 December 2021

In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
– 95% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
– 93.5% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/FRzJ60UP3u

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 28, 2021

Meanwhile, South Australia is set to make a third COVID-19 vaccination dose mandatory for all healthcare workers.
“It’s very important that we get those people on the frontline as protected as possible, because we’ve got to make sure that we preserve as much of our health workforce as we possibly can through this period,” Premier Steven Marshall said.

In Queensland, Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard has announced a move to using rapid antigen tests for interstate travellers who will be required to fill out an online declaration that they had performed a rapid antigen test and returned a negative result within 72 hours of travel. The system will clearly rely on each and every person’s honesty and responsibility.