Covid deaths remain high despite 'promising signs'
NSW has reported another 31 Covid-related deaths on Friday while Victoria has reported 36 Covid deaths as the daily fatality toll from the virus remains relatively high in the country's two most populous states.
NSW recorded 10,698 new coronavirus infections amid signs of a stabilising outbreak as more health staff return to work.
Hospitalisations fell to 2,494 on Friday while ICU admissions remained at 160.
Case numbers and hospitalisations are plateauing and more health staff are back on the job, but tracking the spread of the virus in the community is still a challenge, NSW Health says.
Healthcare settings still have a "Red" status, the highest of the three in the state's Covid-19 risk monitoring dashboard, updated weekly.
But "available metrics continue to point towards a stabilisation of the outbreak".
There remains "some uncertainty around levels of case ascertainment".
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In Victoria, 11,240 new cases were detected in the latest 24-hour reporting period, as more than 1,000 students and staff remain home after testing positive.
Of Friday's new cases, 3,889 are positive PCR tests and 7,351 positive rapid antigen tests.
The total number of active cases in the state is 65,968, down 680 from Thursday.
Hospitalisations with Covid-19 have fallen by 45 to 707 patients, the lowest figure since January 7.
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There are 79 people in intensive care, three fewer than the previous day, with 29 of those on a ventilator.
CEO of Victoria Health, Dr Sandro Demaio reacted to the latest figures saying there was a heartening trajectory happening in the state.
"Our test positivity rate continues to come down (15%)," he tweeted this morning.
"Alongside case numbers. This is a very promising sign. While not definitive, it suggests we have passed the peak and not missing further cases in the community. Combined, it’s a very heartening trajectory."
with AAP
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