New South Wales has recorded 18,278 cases today, as well as two deaths while 1066 people are currently in hospital with the virus, the highest hospitalisation number since early October.
While case numbers appear to be lower, health authorities have highlighted that the number of tests has also dropped significantly for the first time in quite a while. NSW is still struggling with long queues at testing centres, shortages in rapid tests and testing facilities around the state remaining shut during two days of heatwave.
Victoria, on the other hand, has reported 7172 new cases with 472 COVID patients requiring treatment in hospital, including 52 active cases in intensive care and 22 requiring ventilators.
The testing numbers in the state are also lower than previous days with 48,252 tests processed in Sunday’s reporting period. Eight testing sites were forced to close on Saturday due to extreme heat as rapid tests are scarce.
Meanwhile, Scott Morrison is being monitored for Covid-19 symptoms after a positive case attended Kirribilli House. The Prime Minister isn’t required to isolate or take a PCR test under NSW Health close contact and isolation guidelines. Moreover, the meeting was outdoors and everyone was wearing a mask.
Active cases per state currently:
- NSW 109.2k
- VIC 24.2k
- QLD 14.0k
- SA 11.0k
- ACT 1.5k
- TAS 938
- NT 322
- WA 35
