Omicron COVID-19 case admitted to hospital in NSW as tally increases to 55

The number of Omicron cases in New South Wales has grown as health officials issue a warning on COVID-19 transmission at pubs, clubs and in party settings.

A child getting a COVID-19 test

There are now more than 50 Omicron cases in NSW. Source: AAP

A person infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been admitted to hospital in New South Wales, as the state detected the variant outside of Sydney.

NSW now has 55 cases of the variant, a daily increase of 10, and recorded 485 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths on Sunday.

NSW Health said it expected the number of Omicron cases to increase within the next 24 hours as the genomic test results come back.

"There were 10 new cases confirmed with the Omicron variant overnight, and more are expected as results of genomic testing are confirmed."

Hunter New England Local Health District said it had one case of Omicron, and the Newcastle community has been put on high alert after someone suspected to have the Omicron variant visited The Argyle House nightclub.
NSW Health's Dr John Hall said: "This is one of a number of large social venues such as pubs, clubs and party settings where there is increasing COVID-19 transmission.

"This is contributing to the increasing cases in NSW.

"I want to reiterate to people just how important it is not to attend social functions if they have any symptoms even if they are mild."

The state is inching closer to its 95 double-dose vaccination target with 93.1 per cent aged 16 and over who are vaccinated.
In Victoria, there were 1,069 new infections on Sunday with the state currently managing over 11,400 active cases. It marks the seventh consecutive day Victoria has battled case numbers over 1,000.

The state also recorded two deaths, of people aged in their 70s and 80s, bringing the toll in Victoria since the pandemic began to 1,416.

The ACT announced one new COVID-19 case on Sunday, with four patients in hospital.
Queensland recorded one new coronavirus case as authorities prepare to welcome "tens of thousands" of interstate travellers from Monday.

The new case was a man in his 30s who arrived from Nigeria, with health authorities are closely monitoring the genomic sequencing to see if it is the Omicron variant.

South Australia recorded 10 new COVID-19 cases, six are close contacts of a positive case, one acquired their infection interstate, while the remaining three cases are under investigation.

It brings the total number of active cases in the state to 64, including three people in hospital.

SA Health said a team will be sent to Indulkana in the APY Lands in the state's far northwest to support increased testing and vaccination after COVID-19 was detected in the wastewater in the past week.


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3 min read
Published 12 December 2021 5:22pm
Updated 12 December 2021 9:11pm
Source: AAP, SBS


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