COVID-19 daily cases soar to 5715 in New South Wales
COVID-19 cases have soared in New South Wales, with 5715 recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
One new death was recorded.
There are 347 people in hospital with the virus, and 45 in intensive care.
It comes as Premier Dominic Perrottet prepares to announce the return of mandatory QR code check-ins, as part of the effort to contain the Omicron variant.
The mandate will cover retail and hospitality venues.
The state government is also working to provide free rapid antigen tests to residents.
Officials are seeking to bulk buy home testing kits which would be posted out to every NSW resident to ease the pressure on testing clinics.
Today there are long queues at NSW coronavirus testing clinics again after three days of a surge in numbers.
People have been waiting in lines for up to five hours and have experienced long waits for results. Some have been turned away.
Another more controversial plan being considered is that unvaccinated people, who are treated in hospital, could be forced to foot their medical bills.
This proposition has been labelled “unethical” by the Australian Medical Association.
However, Mr Perrottet has so far resisted the return of a mask mandate.
Mask-wearing requirements have recently been expanded in the ACT and Queensland.
NSW recorded 3763 coronavirus cases yesterday, the highest recorded in any state or territory.
Source: 9news.com.au
