SYDNEY (Reuters) – New Australian COVID-19 cases dipped on Sunday as testing slowed over a vacation weekend, but remained properly over 30,000 and hospitalisations rose additional in New South Wales as considerations develop about potential strains on the nationwide well being system.
Newly identified cases in New South Wales, probably the most populous state, dropped to 18,278 from 22,577 the day earlier than because the variety of assessments performed on New Year’s Day dropped by 1 / 4, well being division figures confirmed.
But hospitalisations, which authorities have signalled is a determine they’re extra carefully monitoring than whole case numbers as they shift in the direction of residing with the virus, jumped by 18% to 1,066.
In Victoria, each day case numbers remained above 7,000 and Queensland reported a document 3,587 new cases.
“As we enter a brand new 12 months, we’re coming into a brand new battle towards COVID-19,” Queensland state Treasurer Cameron Dick mentioned.
“If we are able to gradual the unfold of the virus, that takes the strain off our well being system specifically,” Dick mentioned, asking folks to get vaccinated and get booster pictures, put on masks in indoor settings and make money working from home if doable.
With solely Western Australia and the Northern Territory nonetheless to report figures on Sunday, the nationwide tally of latest cases was greater than 32,200, beneath Saturday’s document of 35,327.
All Australian states, aside from Western Australia, have begun to stay with the virus as vaccination ranges have risen, and the easing in restrictions has pushed cases increased.
There had been 5 deaths reported in New South Wales and Victoria, bringing the nationwide loss of life toll all through the pandemic to nearly 2,260 folks.
(Reporting by John Mair)
