Covid hospitalisations rise in NSW after 'son of Omicron' warning
NSW has recorded more than 13,000 new cases of coronavirus with the hospitalisation rate also continuing to rise.
The state recorded a dip in deaths with 27 people losing their lives in the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday, NSW Health said on Monday morning.
It's a sharp drop from the 52 deaths recorded on Sunday, which was the deadliest day of the pandemic for NSW so far.
In total, 13,026 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded.
But disturbingly, the hospitalisation rate has continued to rise. As of Sunday evening, 2779 people are in NSW hospitals with coronavirus – an increase of 116 from the previous 24 hours.
ICU admissions remain steady though with 185 people in the state's intensive care units.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Sunday there are four cases of the "son of Omicron" variant of Covid-19 in the community.
“At the moment we don’t see that it is presenting anything different clinically in terms of the severity or its response to vaccine but we’ll obviously be watchful, monitor the situation closely," Dr Chant said.
She added "there is likely to be more" and it's now the more dominant variant in Denmark.
Victoria records 10,000 new cases, eight deaths
Victoria has recorded 10,053 new Covid-19 infections and another eight deaths, as thousands of students across the state return to school.
The new cases, confirmed by the health department on Monday, include 3568 from PCR tests and 6485 from rapid antigen tests.
The total number of active cases in the state is 76,335, down from 78,294 on Sunday.
Hospitalisations with Covid-19 have fallen by 16 to 873 patients.
There are 102 people in intensive care, nine fewer than on Sunday, with 33 of those on a ventilator.
About 38 per cent of Victorians aged over 18 have received a Covid-19 booster, after 16,298 doses were administered at state clinics on Sunday.
The latest figures come as many of the state's school students return for Term 1 on Monday.
Public schools begin term on Monday with all staff and students encouraged to take twice-weekly rapid antigen tests.
The state government has delivered 4.5 million rapid antigen tests to schools with another two million on the way this week.
A vaccination blitz targeting children aged five to 11 was held over the weekend, with 15 primary schools offering pop-up clinics and some state-run hubs allowing walk-up jabs for kids.
with AAP
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
