Australian COVID-19 deaths escalate as return to school threatens new Omicron summit Reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia reported another rise in COVID-19 deaths on Monday as the outbreak of the highly contagious variant Omicron peaked, with authorities warning that numbers could rise further when schools return from end-of-year holidays next week.

The world’s 13th economy is trying to strike a balance between reopening after two years of austerity movements and the death toll from the pandemic and dealing with the largest number of cases.

Authorities say the spread of a vaccine booster will reduce deaths and stabilize hospital admissions as a sign that the outbreak has worsened.

The country had 58 deaths on Monday, most in its three most populous states – New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland – according to the previous day’s count, but still among the highest in the pandemic.

The total number of new cases, 40,681, was almost three times below the peak at the beginning of the month.

“Our assessment indicates that the spread of the COVID virus is slowing, that our situation is stabilizing and that we expect to see an increase in school-related transmissions, but that your actions as an individual can be alleviated,” said NSW Health Director Kerry. Chant said at a press conference.

“Getting those boosters will help us,” he added.

More than nine out of 10 Australians over the age of 12 have had two doses of the coronavirus vaccine – health statistics experts say they have kept the country’s death rate relatively low – but far fewer have had a third dose seen as protection against Omicron.

While all Australian states are opposed to returning the blockade, most have reinstated social security measures and the wearing of mandatory masks to slow down transmission. But they are divided on whether and how to manage a return to school after long periods of distance learning.

Students in NSW and Victoria will be required to wear masks and receive regular fast-acting antigen tests when they return to class in person next week. Queensland, however, postponed the return to school until February 7 to prevent a rise in transmission.

“The summit doesn’t mean an end,” said John Gerrard, Queensland’s director of health, warning that when schools return, “it’s a possible extension of the summit”.