On Thursday, Australia reported at least 42 COVID-19 deaths, including 21 in New South Wales and 14 in Victoria.
Western Australia has eased its COVID-19 restrictions from 12.01 am Thursday, 14 April.
The state has removed the 500 capacity limit for all hospitality venues and function centres. International and domestic travellers are no longer required to take a RAT on arrival. Passengers arriving at Perth Airport are encouraged to take a free test on offer.
The definition of close contact has changed. Read the full details
Australian scientists have developed named Sentinel. It can process more than 90,000 samples daily, with results available in under one hour.
The system is believed to be faster than PCR testing and more accurate than a Rapid Antigen Test. Researchers will shortly trial the system on FIFO workers at Perth airport.
Queensland's acting premier Steven Miles assured residents that the state's health system was doing its best to cope with a second Omicron wave of COVID-19. Data shows the number of hospitalisations has doubled in one month.
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Weekly COVID-19 numbers in Australia
Residents are advised to check the timings for vaccination clinics and testing centres in their respective states as many could be closed over the Easter long weekend.
World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the COVID-19 pandemic remains a public health emergency. He spoke after the 11th meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.
Mr Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the virus has become more transmissible over time and remains deadly for the unprotected and unvaccinated people with no access to healthcare.
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