Australia has reported 44 new COVID-19 deaths as one of Mark McGowan's children was admitted to a hospital in a serious condition from COVID-19 infection.
“One of the Premier’s children was recently hospitalised due to COVID-19,” a statement from Mr McGowan's office on Friday said.
“The child is fully vaccinated, however, was in a serious condition as a result of the infection.
“The child remains in hospital and is receiving ongoing treatment," the statement said.
NSW reported 16 new COVID-19 deaths and 12,633 new infections on Saturday. There are 1,617 people in hospital, with 60 in ICU
In Victoria, the health department reported 13 new deaths and 8,120 new COVID-19 infections. There are 449 people in hospital in the state, with 35 in ICU and eight on ventilators.
Queensland reported another seven deaths, along with 7,212 new cases. There are 513 people in hospital, with 15 in ICU.
In the ACT, one new COVID-19 death and 975 new cases were reported on Saturday. There are 55 people in hospital in the jurisdiction, with two in ICU.
In the Northern Territory, the health department reported one new death and 525 new cases. There are 47 people in hospital in the territory, with two in ICU.
South Australia reported four COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, along with 3,457 new cases. There are 237 patients with the virus in hospital across the state, with 12 in ICU and one on ventilator.
In Tasmania, the health department reported one death and 1,212 new cases. There are 44 patients in hospital in the state, with one in ICU.
WA reported 7,758 new cases, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 44,863. There are currently 248 people in hospital, with seven in ICU. The state also recorded one historical death of a woman.
Easing restrictions
Seven-day isolation for close contacts ended in New South Wales and Victoria on Friday evening, while Queensland will soften quarantine and scrap it entirely for unvaccinated international arrivals next Thursday.
In the ACT, household contact quarantine rules will be ditched after Anzac Day.
South Australia will drop the requirement for close contacts to isolate from April 30 but five rapid antigen tests over seven days will be required.
They will also need to wear masks outside the home, are banned from high-risk settings like aged care centres and must inform employers and schools of their status.
Vaccination status and check-in requirements for pubs, restaurants, theatres and sports venues also continue to be wound back in Victoria.
Vaccine mandates for Victorian workers in multiple industries are being retained, while New South Wales is shifting to a risk assessment based model.
The change means household contacts of positive cases will no longer need to isolate at home for seven days, so long as they continue to test negative.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has had to campaign from home after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Day 12 of the federal election campaign. Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee says it would be appropriate to drop some stricter restrictions once the current wave of infections has peaked.
However, authorities also warn infection rates may spike as restrictions ease.
Omicron cases are plateauing in New South Wales, with a steady decline in overall infections for young people.
The health surveillance report for the week ending April 16 also shows unvaccinated New South Wales residents are still over-represented in hospital admissions.
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese will continue his election campaign from isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.
