Victoria reported 13 Covid deaths and 1,193 new cases on Saturday, while New South Wales had the highest number of daily Covid cases since October.
The Aacta awards were named as a Covid exposure site after a worker at the Opera House tested positive for the virus.
Victoria has more than 11,000 active Covid cases. In Victorian hospitals, there are over 300 Covid patients, of which over sixty are in intensive care and over twenty are in need of ventilation.
People in their 50s-90s were the latest to die. The others died in November. The total number of deaths in Victoria since the beginning of the Pandemic has been 1,414.
Health authorities are concerned that there will be a surge in Covid-19 infections in the lead-up to Christmas. It was the highest number of daily cases since October.
The number of Omicron variant cases is expected to rise as the results of ongoing testing are finalized. The state has 45 Omicron cases, of which 31 were spread via community transmission.
There were no new cases of the Omicron variant in Victoria on Saturday.
A person who worked at the Opera House from December 8 to December 9 tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement from the Opera House. The Aacta awards were held in December.
A thorough cleaning of affected areas has been carried out and we are taking all necessary steps as required by the health department. The Opera House has a number of measures in place that are in line with our Covid safety plan and commitment to the health and safety of everyone on our site.
Patrons of the Opera House are not required to take any action unless they are advised by the service.
Two new exposure sites were listed on Friday night by the New South Wales Health.
If you were at the Albion Hotel on Sunday 5 December, you are considered a close contact and must be tested and isolated for seven to 14 days.
Anyone who attended the Cult nightclub in Potts Point on Saturday 14 December between 9.45pm and 3am is considered a casual contact and must be tested and isolated until a negative result is received.
There have been a number of diseases in the area.
The Golden Sheaf Hotel was the location of 17 Covid cases as of Friday.
There were 44 cases linked to a pub quiz night held in Petersham. At least 11 people who attended a weekend party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour have tested positive for the virus, at least three of them with the Omicron variant.
The increase of Covid-19 transmissions taking place in large social venues such as pubs, clubs and party settings is worrying authorities.
He said that it was important for people to not attend social functions if they have any symptoms, even if mild.
Josh Frydenberg said on Saturday that the government was still waiting on medical advice, but that the data so far looked good.
He said that the virus is highly transmissible but not as severe as other versions.
The mass hospitalisations in South Africa have not been seen by us. There is no evidence that the vaccine is not a defence against Omicron, as the vaccination rates are lower than Australia.
The Omicron variant is spreading at the same time as a cool and stormy summer, and epidemiologists are concerned that La Nia could cause a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Unvaccinated residents will be given the same freedom as fully vaccined residents on Wednesday. The state will no longer require people to wear masks indoors if they have a vaccine.
Mary- Louise McLaws, a professor of epidemiology at the University ofNSW and adviser to the World Health Organization, told the Guardian on Friday that it was too soon to ease restrictions and allow unvaccinated people to mingle in indoor venues.
She said that it was not wise to push ahead with the relaxations. It is easier for Australians to wear a mask until we know more about Omicron, and for those who are not yet fully vaccine-free to wear a mask until we know more.
It is too cavalier to throw away successful infection prevention strategies.
There are now 76 active cases of Covid in the territory.
The health minister in QUEENSLAND reported one new case of community transmission on the Gold Coast, and announced changes to the rules on sterilizing.
From 1 January, people who are fully immunised will only have to stay in quark for seven days.
They will need to wear a mask for another seven days after they are released from quark.
