COVID-19 update: 44 deaths in Australia; WHO reports lowest weekly global deaths since March 2020

This is your update on COVID-19 in Australia for 28 April.

Tasmania has become the final Australian state to drop close contact rules.

Tasmania has become the final Australian state to drop close contact rules. (file) Source: Leisa Tyler/LightRocket via Getty Images

Australia reported at least 44 COVID-19 deaths, including 19 in New South Wales and 10 in Victoria, on Thursday. Western Australia's daily figures included six historical deaths. 

Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia .
The World Health Organization has asked countries to maintain surveillance as new COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to decline globally.

WHO's director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said just over 15,000 COVID-19 deaths were reported last week, the lowest weekly number since March 2020.
Dr Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it's a welcome trend. But he cautioned that countries have reduced testing, and the WHO was receiving less information about transmission and sequencing.

"This virus won't go away just because countries stopped looking for it. The threat of a dangerous new variant remains very real... when it comes to deadly virus ignorance is not bliss," he said.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is expected to launch Labor's campaign in Perth on Sunday. Mr Albanese is in home isolation after he returned a positive COVID-19 result last Thursday.  

Tasmania has become the final state to relax isolation rules for close contact of COVID-19 cases. 

From 12:01 am Monday 2 May, asymptomatic Tasmanians are no longer required to quarantine for seven days, provided they comply with other public health measures. 

They must take a daily rapid antigen test, wear a face mask outside of the home, inform their workplace of their close contact status, and avoid high-risk premises such as aged care facilities and hospitals.

Residents are no longer required to check-in at hospitality venues.

South Australia's rules for close contact of COVID-19 positive cases will cease from 12.01 am Saturday, 30 April.
COVID-19 vaccination information kiosks are now open in the following shopping centres and events until 1 May.

NSW – Ashfield – Westfield Burwood

NSW – Fairfield – Cabramatta Plaza      

VIC – Keilor – Craigieburn Plaza

VIC – Mill Park – Westfield Plenty Valley

QLD – Park Ridge – Park Ridge Town Centre

QLD – Ipswich – Springfield Fair

QLD – Super Rugby, Suncorp Stadium Saturday 29 April

SA – Adelaide – Playford

WA – Wanneroo Raceway, Saturday 30 April to Sunday 1 May

Western Australia is expanding initiatives to provide additional support to local businesses. 

Businesses that experienced a 30 per cent reduction over any two consecutive weeks between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022 compared to the same period the previous year can access a new grant.






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3 min read
Published 28 April 2022 12:41pm
Updated 28 April 2022 1:03pm


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