Australia's most populous state reports 1st omicron death

SYDNEY — Australia’s New South Wales authorities reported much than 6,000 caller COVID-19 cases connected Monday and confirmed its archetypal decease from the omicron variant.

The fatal lawsuit was identified arsenic a antheral successful his 80s who was infected astatine an aged attraction installation successful occidental Sydney. He was afloat vaccinated but had underlying wellness conditions.

New South Wales, the country’s astir populous state, reported 6,324 caller infections Monday, a autumn of 70 from the grounds fig a time before. There were 524 radical successful hospitals, including 55 successful intensive care.

New measures came into unit successful New South Wales connected Monday, including limits of 1 idiosyncratic per 2 quadrate meters (22 quadrate feet) successful bars and restaurants and required “check-ins” with QR codes successful hospitality venues.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the authorities authorities is considering lifting the request for wellness workers to isolate aft being exposed to COVID-19 due to the fact that of unit shortages.

Victoria authorities reported 1,999 caller cases connected Monday with 3 deaths.

State COVID-19 effect commandant Jeroen Weimar said Victoria has moved to random genome investigating for the omicron variant to amended recognize its spread.

Meanwhile, a Sydney laboratory which connected Sunday said 400 radical who received antagonistic reports from COVID-19 tests had successful information tested affirmative present says astir 1,000 others besides received premature antagonistic results.

SydPath, based astatine Sydney’s St. Vincent Hospital, said 995 radical who were tested connected Dec. 23 and 24 had prematurely received antagonistic results.

“In information their existent effect had not yet been determined,” the pathology work said successful a connection Monday. It said each the affected radical person been told they volition person their close trial results by Monday night.

“We are sincerely atrocious for this mistake and admit the important interaction it has had connected those involved,“ it said.

The laboratory blamed the mendacious negatives connected quality error, saying the investigating strategy has been nether terrible strain.

“SydPath person enactment procedures successful spot to guarantee this cannot hap again,” it said.