Western Australia (WA) has lowered the COVID-19 restrictions from 'level 2' to 'level 1' despite a rising number of new cases in the state.
Masks are still mandatory for people aged 8 and over (year 3 and above for schools) everywhere indoors, except at home. Also, when on public transport, in taxis and rideshare vehicles, and at hospitals and residential aged care or residential disability care facilities in the state.
South Australia has dropped vaccine mandates on school and passenger transport workers. It means unvaccinated teachers, school staff, public transport workers, and taxi and rideshare drivers can now return to work with some restrictions.
COVID-19 deaths have increased in New South Wales from 15 on Wednesday to 17 on Thursday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a third updated to end the global COVID-19 emergency in 2022.
The plan lays out three possible scenarios - a base case, a best case and a worst case - for how the pandemic could evolve this year and how to respond.
Base case: The virus continues to evolve. But its severity is significantly reduced over time due to sustained and sufficient immunity. Periodic spikes in transmission may occur.
Best case: Future variants are significantly less severe. Protection against severe disease is maintained without the need for periodic boosting or significant alterations to current vaccines.
Worst case: A more virulent and highly transmissible variant emerges. Vaccines are less effective. Immunity against severe disease and death wanes rapidly, especially in the most vulnerable groups. It will require significant alterations to current vaccines.
The WHO said more than 479 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and six million deaths had been registered since the pandemic began two years ago.
COVID-19 Australian Stats for 31 March 2022
New South Wales: 22,107 new cases, 1,326 in hospital, 39 in ICU, 17 deaths
Victoria: 11,292 new cases, 312 in hospital, 14 in ICU, four deaths
Australian Capital Territory: 1,194 new cases, 47 in hospital, three in ICU, two deaths
Queensland: 7,289 new cases, 362 in hospital, 16 in ICU, five deaths
Tasmania: 2,478 new cases, 29 in hospital, zero in ICU, zero death
Western Australia: 9,727 cases, 219 in hospital, seven in ICU, three deaths
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