On Tuesday, Australia reported 37 COVID-19 deaths, including 11 in New South Wales, 12 in Victoria, six each in Queensland and South Australia, and two in Tasmania. Western Australia also reported three historic deaths.
The number of hospitalisations in Queensland has been increasing over the past month. On 12 April, 572 people were in hospitals compared with 247 people a month ago.
The Australian government will make the second prescription-only available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for Australians at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 from 1 May.
Patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing the severe disease can use the oral anti-viral medicine 'Paxlovid'. The medicine is expected to reduce the need for hospitalisation.
Labor's spokeswoman for immigration and home affairs Kristina Keneally has tested positive for COVID-19. She will isolate for seven days.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has started to track new strains of Omicron. It has added BA.4 and BA.5 to its list for monitoring. The WHO already tracks BA.1 (the original strain) and BA.2 (the stealth strain), and BA.1.1 and BA.3.
Concerns have been growing in the US after more than 50 government officials tested positive for Covid-19 following the annual Gridiron Dinner in Washington, DC earlier this month. The infected members include members of the president and vice president's offices.
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