In what feels like a repeat of 2020, demand in hospitals from flu and COVID-19 cases has threatened to "outstrip supply" as thousands of sick healthcare workers become part of the record-breaking statistics around the nation.
Here's a breakdown of COVID-19's impact around the country on Monday:
Virtual consult program expands as Victorians battle flu, COVID-19
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says a virtual emergency department program will be expanded so that 600 patients a day can be treated via video conferencing tools.
The move aims to free up ambulances and hospitals as they face increasing strain due to a challenging flu season and new, highly contagious Omicron variants.
Here's what Victoria reported on Monday:
- 10,251 new cases
- 821 patients in hospital, 35 of them in ICU, with nine requiring ventilation
- 18 further deaths.
Omicron BA.4, BA.5 variants increase in South Australia
A record number of South Australians were in hospital with COVID-19 on Monday as the more infectious BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants sweeps across the state.
New genomic sampling has found that 65 per cent of COVID-19 cases are of the more infectious BA.4 and BA.5 variants, up from 55 per cent last week.
Here's what SA reported on Monday:
- 4,053 new cases
- 306 patients in hospital, 11 of them in ICU, and none requiring ventilation
- Two further deaths.
Influenza, COVID-19 cases occupy 967 Queensland hospital beds
Queensland Health says it has been rocked by COVID-19 and flu cases combined, resulting in the absence of 2,477 workers who are off sick.
As a result, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said demand was outstripping supply in hospitals.
Here's what QLD reported on Monday:
- 6,682 new cases
- 914 patients in hospital, with 18 in ICU
- No further deaths.
ACT yet to reach COVID-19 caseload peak
ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said Canberra had not yet seen its highest daily infection rate and cases were expected to continue to rise well into August.
The state has set another record for the number of COVID-positive patients in Canberra hospitals.
Here's what the ACT reported on Monday:
- 887 new cases
- 171 patients in hospital, five of whom are in ICU, with three requiring ventilation
- No further deaths.
Fresh calls to reinstate West Australian mask mandate
Health workers are calling for the return of mask mandates amid reports by the nursing union that patients are being treated in corridors.
Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says the decision to mandate mask wearing was the Chief Health Officer's, but encouraged West Australians to cover up.
Here's what WA reported on Monday:
- 5,514 new cases
- 411 patients in hospital, 19 of them in ICU
- Two further deaths.
New South Wales records more than 9,000 new COVID-19 cases
- 9,761 new cases
- 2,169 patients in hospital, with 64 in ICU, with 13 requiring ventilation
- Five further deaths.
Northern Territory records more than 400 new COVID-19 cases
Here's what the Northern Territory reported on Monday:
- 469 new cases
- 43 patients in hospital, with one in intensive care
- No further deaths.
Tasmania records more than 1,000 new cases
- 1,411 new cases
- 166 patients in hospital, with two in ICU
- Four further deaths.
