- People who return a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required to have a PCR test to confirm the infection, under changes introduced by national cabinet on Wednesday.
- There has been another large jump in COVID-19 hospitalisations in New South Wales and Victoria.
- As of 8pm on Wednesday, there were 1,609 people in hospital in NSW, up from the 1,491 reported 24 hours earlier. There are 131 patients are in intensive care.
- In Victoria, 631 people are in hospital, an increase on the previous day's 591. The state has 100 people in ICU.
- There are now 284 people in hospital in Queensland, a jump from 265 patients on Wednesday. There are 12 people in ICU.
- Density limits will be reintroduced in Victoria from 11:59pm tonight and it will become mandatory to report a positive rapid antigen test result to the health department.
- A fully vaccinated man in his 20s with no underlying conditions has died from COVID-19 in hospital, NSW Health announced.
- England has announced that fully vaccinated arrivals, along with those under 18, will be permitted to enter the country without producing a negative PCR test from 4am on January 7.
COVID-19 Stats:
New South Wales has recorded 34,994 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, while Victoria has reported 21,997 new infections and six deaths.
Queensland has recorded 10,332 new cases and one death.
Tasmania has reported 751 new infections, with one person admitted to hospital.
Quarantine and restrictions state by state
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There are changes to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment once states reach 70 and 80 per cent fully vaccinated:
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