NSW has recorded 485 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday and two deaths. There are currently 156 people in hospital, of whom 23 people are in intensive care.
Waiting times for COVID-19 vaccine boosters will be cut from six to five months under plans to be unveiled by the federal government on Sunday.
The fast-tracking of booster shots will start immediately and comes as health authorities race to understand the Omicron variant of COVID-19. It means that millions more Australians can get a booster sooner. They will also be able to choose either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine.
NSW recorded new cases on Sunday.Credit:Dean Sewell
By December 31, more than 4.1 million Australians will be eligible for a booster, compared to about 1.75 million people if the six-month interval had been retained.
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Meanwhile, A-list celebrities were among the guests at Wednesday’s AACTA Awards who have been warned to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms after a hospitality worker at the Sydney Opera House event subsequently tested positive.
The employee of a food and beverage business was infectious on December 8, the night of the acting awards, and the following day while servicing events at the iconic building.
A Potts Point nightclub and a Parramatta pub were on Saturday deemed likely exposure venues to the Omicron variant, as NSW recorded its highest daily total of COVID-19 cases since lockdown restrictions were eased in October.
On Saturday, the state recorded 560 new cases. There are 45 active cases of the Omicron variant across the state, 31 of which were locally acquired and 14 of which were acquired internationally or on a plane.
NSW records 485 new cases of COVID-19, two deaths
Source: Philippines Alive
