SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia reported 58 deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday, as the 2 most populous states, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, mentioned college students could be examined twice weekly for the Omicron variant when courses resume subsequent week.
NSW reported 34 deaths of sufferers with COVID-19, whereas Victoria state noticed 14 deaths, and Queensland reported 10 deaths.
Well being officers mentioned they imagine an Omicron outbreak has peaked in NSW and Victoria, which reported 20,324 and 13,091 new instances respectively on Sunday.
Australian colleges return after a summer season vacation break in per week.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet mentioned dad and mom might be requested to make use of fast antigen assessments twice per week to examine their kids for COVID-19, and report any constructive consequence to the varsity and authorities.
Tens of millions of the take a look at kits are being distributed to three,000 colleges this week, and college students have to be examined earlier than attending the primary day of courses, he instructed reporters in Sydney.
Lecturers and highschool college students might be required to put on masks.
Victoria state has additionally advisable twice weekly testing of scholars below its return to high school plan.
Faculty employees in NSW and Victoria should be vaccinated for COVID-19, and lecturers in Victoria have a deadline of the tip of February to obtain a booster shot, Victorian well being officers mentioned.
(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Enhancing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Supply: KFGO
