The Australian state of New South Wales recorded 1,742 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest daily total since the pandemic began.
Hospitalizations have also increased statewide. There were 192 coronavirus patients in hospitals in New South Wales on Thursday, up from 166 the day before. Of those, 26 are in intensive care.
The previous peak for new infections in a single day in Australia’s most populous state was 1,599 on September 11.
The state’s Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Wednesday said cases are doubling every two to three days. Modeling at the University of New South Wales forecast up to 25,000 cases a day by the end of January.
Dr Jeremy McAnulty of Health New South Wales said the number of cases in the city of Newcastle was increasing and people had to “seriously consider” postponing their Christmas plans.
“Several locations and events have now seen transmission of COVID-19 and the New South Wales Department of Health is again asking everyone in the community to continue to be especially careful and practice safe behaviors. safe from COVID,” said Dr. McAnulty.
Victoria on Thursday recorded 1,622 new cases and nine deaths. The total has risen from 1,405 cases on Wednesday and is the state’s highest since October 29.
There are 384 people in the hospital, of which 87 are in intensive care.
The Victorian Government says 92 per cent of residents aged 12 and over are now fully vaccinated.
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