Covid Omicron news latest: Australia sees deadliest day of the pandemic with 74 deaths

The Covid pandemic could also be coming to an finish within the UK, a number one professional has advised, regardless of the federal government’s scientific advisers warning that claims the virus is now endemic are untimely.

Dr David Nabarro, a World Health Organisation (WHO) particular envoy for Covid-19, has mentioned there’s now “gentle on the finish of the tunnel” for the UK in tackling the illness.

His phrases come as nationwide hospital admissions fell for the sixth day in a row on Monday, from 2,180 to 1,604.

Our well being correspondent Rebecca Thomas has extra:

Australia reported a document excessive of Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday with its second-largest state declaring an emergency in hospitals to deal with surging affected person admissions and a staffing scarcity.

The 74 deaths occurred in its three most populous states. New South Wales reported 36, Victoria reported 22 and Queensland 16. The earlier day by day document was 59 coronavirus-related deaths on 4 September 2020.

Federal Well being Minister Greg Hunt mentioned there have been indicators that New South Wales’ an infection price was peaking and Victoria was close to a plateau.

The New South Wales authorities has dominated out a return to lockdown to counter the extremely contagious omicron variant.

One other lockdown would have “substantial penalties for women and men proper throughout the state by way of with the ability to present meals on the desk for his or her household,” state Premier Domonic Perrottet informed Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“Right now is a really troublesome day for our state,” Mr Perrottet mentioned throughout a media briefing, including that hospitals can nonetheless address the rising variety of admissions.

“Regardless of the challenges, they aren’t distinctive to the remainder of the world,” he mentioned.

Victoria declared an emergency for hospitals in its state capital, Melbourne, and a number of other regional hospitals from noon on Wednesday due to employees shortages and a surge in affected person admissions. About 5,000 employees are absent as a result of they’re both contaminated or have been in shut contact with an contaminated individual.

“We’ve reached a degree in our healthcare system the place it’s juggling excessive workforce shortages. alongside an enormous variety of sufferers with Covid-19 who require hospitalisation, alongside that a rare workforce which are completely exhausted,” Appearing Well being Minister James Merlino mentioned.

It’s the first time the emergency has been activated in a number of hospitals throughout the state.

Authorities have mentioned unvaccinated youthful folks type a “important quantity” of the nation’s hospital admissions.

Welcome to The Unbiased’s reside protection of the coronavirus pandemic. Keep tuned for rolling updates and statistics.