NSW records deadliest day of pandemic, Queensland sees rise in cases

NSW has seen a slight rise in case numbers reporting 13,354 COVID-19 infections

There are 2693 people in hospital in the virus and 186 people admitted to intensive care.

Hospital admissions in NSW have slightly dropped overnight, from 2737 to 2693.

Queensland records 12 new deaths

Queensland has recorded 10,391 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours.

Twelve people have died with the virus.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said there are 833 people in hospital with the virus, a slight increase from 818 admissions yesterday.

There are 53 people in intensive care.

“What we’re seeing in hospitals is the older age group and those with co-morbidities,” he said.

“This is the last group we will see infected.”

Dr Gerrard said the “outcomes in hospitalisations” is significantly lower than what was expected.

Victoria sees drop in infections

The state reported 31 people had died with the virus.

There are 953 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 39 people on ventilators.

It is a slight drop in infections where the state reported 12,755 yesterday.

South Australia records 1740 new COVID-19 cases

South Australia has recorded 1740 new COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours.

“That’s the lowest we have had for the entire year,” Premier Steven Marshall said.

Five people have died with the virus including one person in their 50s, one in their 60s, two in their 70s, and one in their 80s.

Of the 1740 new cases, 1329 came from PCR tests and 411 came from positive rapid antigen tests.

Mr Marshall also announced a $50 million support package for businesses impacted by COVID-19.

“So up to $22,000 cash grant to those businesses who remain affected,” he said.

“In addition to that, to businesses outside of that, there is a further application which they can make if they are suffering significant losses as well.”

“That will kick into place as of this coming week.”

Slow vaccine uptake in five to 11-year-olds

New modelling is being formed to estimate the spike in COVID-19 cases as kids return to school in NSW next week.

The Doherty Institute is building modelling to show what the rise in COVID-19 cases will look like as thousands of kids get back in the classroom next week.

Meanwhile, only 35 per cent of five to 11-year-olds in NSW have had their first jab as the rollout enters its fourth week.

Infections in children are making up a rising proportion of the state’s infections with more than 14,000 children under the age of nine contracting the virus in the first week of January.

Experts said the slower uptake could be due to delivery issues and cancelled appointments in the first week of the rollout.