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Health

The latest COVID-19 news and case numbers from around the states and territories

Here's a quick wrap of the COVID-19 news and case numbers from each Australian jurisdiction for the past week, as reported on Friday, December 23, 2022.

The states and territories are now reporting their COVID-19 statistics weekly instead of through the daily updates that were provided from the early days of the pandemic.

This story will be updated throughout the day, so if you do not see your state or territory check back later.

You can jump to the COVID-19 information you want to read by clicking below.

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New South Wales

The state has recorded 78 more COVID-19 deaths, up from 74 last week. NSW Health notes not all COVID-19 deaths occur in the week in which they are reported.

There are 38,610 new cases, a decrease from 40,695 cases last week.

There are 1,618 people with COVID-19 in hospital, 34 of whom are in intensive care.

Victoria

Victoria has reported 24,238 new cases in seven days, down slightly from 24,652 cases last week.

Unlike other states, Victoria records its hospitalisations and intensive-care admissions with a seven-day rolling daily average.

The state averaged 671 daily hospitalisations and 28 daily intensive care admissions.

There were also 100 deaths reported in the past seven days, up from 84 last week. The Department of Health notes not all COVID-19 deaths occur in the week in which they are reported.

Queensland

Queensland has reported 15,325 new cases of COVID-19, down from 16,600 cases last week.

The state has confirmed 12 deaths in the latest reporting period.

As of December 21, there were 517 people with the virus in hospital, including 16 in intensive care.

Northern Territory

The NT has recorded 631 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, down from 831 last week.

There are still 31 people hospitalised with COVID-19 in the territory, the same number as last week.

No new deaths have been reported.

South Australia

There have been 10,474 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia in the past week, down from 10,754 cases last week.

There were 24 COVID-linked deaths in the state.

There are 193 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including eight in ICU.

Western Australia

Western Australia has reported 10,828 new COVID-19 cases, down from 11,624 cases last week.

The state said there were 244 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including eight in intensive care.

Western Australia has reported 34 deaths dating back to November 1, 2022, which were reported in the last week.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT has reported 3,184 new cases this week, up from 3,018 cases last week.

The territory has 69 active cases in hospital. Three people require intensive-care support.

Two deaths were reported this week.

Tasmania

There have been 4,072 new cases recorded in Tasmania this week.

The state has recorded six COVID-19 deaths in the last week, with 116 people hospitalised and three in intensive care.

One thing to know: What to do if you have COVID symptoms before Christmas

States across Australia have reached the height of the current COVID wave, with the peak arriving just in time for Christmas.  

But leaders have cautioned their communities to be careful over the festive period, in order to avoid another spike in cases. 

It's likely COVID isn't a gift you want to give a loved one this Christmas, so here's what to consider if you think you could be contagious. 

What does China's COVID surge mean for the global economy?

COVID-19 cases have surged in China since stringent restrictions were lifted and there are concerns about the economic ramifications this could bring.

Perspective: When I caught COVID, I thought I'd get back to normal. I was wrong

Long COVID made me retreat from the world, entering into the realm of invisible illnesses where sufferers are ignored, dismissed and struggle to find the help they need, writes Jess Davis

One last thing: Nobel laureates Peter Doherty and Rolf Zinkernagel on life beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

In 1996, Peter Doherty and Rolf Zinkernagel won a Nobel Prize for virus research, but their 25-year anniversary was thwarted by COVID-19. Here's what they predict lies ahead.

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