- A record of 74 deaths have been reported from COVID-19 in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, the highest daily toll of the pandemic for Australia.
- Victoria has declared a Code Brown emergency across all hospitals as the Omicron wave impacts health services.
- Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino says they've "reached a point in our health system where it's juggling severe workforce shortages".
- The order, which will also apply to six regional hospitals, will mean some hospital staff could be recalled from leave and non-essential care could be deferred.
- NSW reported 29,830 new cases - the majority recorded via PCR testing - while 2,850 people are in hospital of which 209 are in ICU.
- The Sydney Morning Herald reported the state's 1.2 million students would need to take RATs twice a week under one proposal for the return to school.
- In Tasmania from midnight, fully vaccinated travellers will not be required to register their travel or take a COVID test prior to travelling, however, the rules will not change for those who are unvaccinated.
- The new school year will resume two weeks late in Queensland as health authorities made the decision to delay it due to the current situation.
- As Queensland reported 16 deaths, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has announced changes to rules on visitors in hospitals to reduce the potential spread of the virus around health facilities.
- The European Union is to tighten COVID-19 travel rules for unvaccinated arrivals from Australia, Argentina and Canada due to rising case numbers.
A number of states have set up RAT registration forms.
COVID-19 Stats:
NSW reported 29,830 new cases and 36 deaths, while Victoria recorded 20,180 new cases and 22 deaths.
Queensland recorded 15,962 cases and 16 deaths, while Tasmania reported 1,310 cases.
Quarantine and restrictions state by state
Travel
Financial help
There are changes to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment once states reach 70 and 80 per cent fully vaccinated:
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