COVID-19 update: 42 deaths in Australia; WHO appeals for vaccination as new variants emerge

This is your update on COVID-19 in Australia for 4 May.

A health worker administers the third dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne. (file)

A health worker administers the third dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne. (file) Source: AAP Image/Diego Fedele

On Wednesday, Australia reported at least 42 deaths, including 21 in New South Wales (NSW) and 11 in Victoria.    

Western Australia (WA) recorded 9,782 new COVID-19 cases - its highest daily cases since 4 April.

WA reported two historical deaths, and South Australia (SA) reported 12 deaths that occured between 19 April and 3 May.

Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia .
COVID-19 information kiosks are now operating in these places until 8 May.

  • NSW – Liverpool, Westfield Liverpool
  • NSW – Blacktown, Westpoint SC
  • QLD – Southport, Australia Fair
  • QLD – Beenleigh, Beenleigh Marketplace
  • VIC – Melton West, Woodgrove SC
  • VIC – Werribee, Pacific Werribee
  • NT – Palmerston, Gateway SC
  • SA – Salisbury Downs, Hollywood Plaza
  • SA – Smithfield, Munno Para SC
The World Health Organization has stressed for vaccination in the wake of new Omicron variants BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 reported globally.

WHO's COVID-19 expert Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said most BA.4 and BA.5 infections are in South Africa.

"As with all sublineages classified under Omicron, there is some level of immune escape," Dr Van Kerkhove said.

She said BA.2.12.1 cases are mainly in the US, and this variant has a slight growth advantage over BA.2 (the stealth variant currently dominating in Australia and some countries).

NSW and SA have detected BA.4 and BA.5 cases in returned travellers. Victoria found these variants and BA.2.12.1 in wastewater catchments in Melbourne. 






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2 min read
Published 4 May 2022 12:53pm
Updated 4 May 2022 1:21pm


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