Victoria has recorded 37,994 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, as the virus continues to impact public services including ambulances.
The state’s new infections include 18,503 from rapid antigen tests and 19,491 from PCR tests, the health department said on Tuesday.
There are 861 patients in hospital, 43 more than the previous day, including 117 in ICU and 27 on ventilation.
The latest figures come as Victorian paramedics warn there will be delays in ambulances reaching people for the second time in a week.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) said it was experiencing “extremely high demand for ambulances” in metropolitan Melbourne.
“It is likely there will be a delay in an ambulance reaching you,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Our priority is to provide care to Victorians who require life-saving assistance.”
AV asked Victorians to only use triple zero for emergencies and to contact Nurse On Call or visit their GP is their illness is not an emergency.
NSW mulls major rapid antigen test change as cases grow
New South Wales has reported 25,870 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths, as the state government mulls forcing residents to report positive at-home rapid test results.
The new cases reported on Tuesday were detected from just over 71,000 PCR laboratory tests.
But NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has warned current daily case numbers are conservative because rapid antigen test results are yet to be officially included.
The state will this week move into a dual reporting system for infections that includes positive, self-administered RAT results – reported through the ServiceNSW app – and the normal PCR results.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard told The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday the government wants to mandate the reporting of positive RAT results.
His department has sought advice from the Crown Solicitor’s Office on how it can be legally enforced.
“The bottom line is it is a must-do, even if there is no fine,” Mr Hazzard told the SMH.
“At the end of the day, it’s an obligation on all of us to make sure that we log in to the Service NSW app, particularly as it will give a clear picture of how the virus is moving through the community.
“It comes with the added benefit that it might also open the door to federal financial assistance if you’re off work for the week.”
Tasmania records 1,379 new cases as hospitalisations dip
Tasmania has recorded 1,379 new COVID-19 cases, with the number of people being treated in hospital for virus symptoms dropping to seven.
The cases are made up of 1,015 self-reported positive rapid antigen tests and 364 PCR tests, taking the state’s number of active infections to 8356.
The health department says seven people are being treated in hospital specifically for COVID-19, down from 11 reported on Monday.
Another 11 people with the virus are in hospital for unrelated medical conditions.
The school year starts at the end of January, roughly at the same time cases of the Omicron variant are expected to peak.
Children aged five to 11 were cleared to receive a Pfizer vaccine from Monday, with an estimated 2.3 million children now eligible for their first dose.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said plans for the return to school would be worked through in talks this week.
“It’s obviously a key issue for parents as they are thinking about their children going back to school in a few weeks’ time,” Mr Morrison said on Monday.
“We’ll look to have those arrangements very clear by the time that occurs.”
Mr Morrison reiterated his preference for students to be back in the classroom on the first day of term, rather than learning from home.
The country’s chief medical officer Professor Paul Kelly said health-based issues would be taken into account before a unified approach was decided.
“It’s related to balancing the wider aspects and the importance of face-to-face learning in schools with the risk of COVID,” he said.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said he wanted to see students back in the classroom and called for people to follow the health advice surrounding the return.
SBS
