Australia is witnessing a spurt in Covid hospital admissions since February, putting a massive strain on the country’s healthcare system.

This new wave of Covid cases is being primarily driven by the highly transmissible BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron, which are more infectious and adept at evading immunity.

According to The Guardian, the national total of hospital admissions reached 3,781 on Wednesday, up from 3,740 on Tuesday and 3,511 on Monday – the highest numbers have been since February 8.

The nation is recording on average 33,000 cases each day.

Amidst the rise in cases, leading epidemiologists and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) have called for stronger mask mandates.

Doubts are also being raised on the official figures, saying that there is double the number of infections silently spreading through the community.

Prof Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, told The Guardian, “The reported cases are half of the numbers out there,”

“Some people will know and isolate, some will guess and not isolate, and some will not know.”

The rise in cases comes amid reports that the fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine will be made available to anyone over the age of 30.

Currently, the fourth dose vaccine is only available to people aged 65 and over, or those suffering conditions placing them at higher risk of severe Covid.

As of Thursday, 60 per cent of people over 65 have had a fourth COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, Australia's COVID-19 death toll has passed 10,000 more than two years after the pandemic began.

The demographic with the most deaths in males aged 80 to 89 years, according to federal government figures up to July 1.&nbsp;

That's followed closely by&nbsp;females aged 80&nbsp;to 89 years.&nbsp;

That same data&nbsp;showed&nbsp;the 10-19 age group had the least deaths,&nbsp;followed closely by the 0-9 age group.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Australia is witnessing a spurt in Covid hospital admissions since February, putting a massive strain on the country’s healthcare system. This new wave of Covid cases is being primarily driven by the highly transmissible BA.

Australia is witnessing a spurt in Covid hospital admissions since February, putting a massive strain on the country’s healthcare system. This new wave of Covid cases is being primarily driven by the highly transmissible BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron, which are more infectious and adept at evading immunity. According to The Guardian, the national total of hospital admissions reached 3,781 on Wednesday, up from 3,740 on Tuesday and 3,511 on Monday – the highest numbers have been since February 8. The nation is recording on average 33,000 cases each day. Amidst the rise in cases, leading epidemiologists and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) have called for stronger mask mandates. Doubts are also being raised on the official figures, saying that there is double the number of infections silently spreading through the community. Prof Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, told The Guardian, “The reported cases are half of the numbers out there,” “Some people will know and isolate, some will guess and not isolate, and some will not know.” The rise in cases comes amid reports that the fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine will be made available to anyone over the age of 30. Currently, the fourth dose vaccine is only available to people aged 65 and over, or those suffering conditions placing them at higher risk of severe Covid. As of Thursday, 60 per cent of people over 65 have had a fourth COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, Australia's COVID-19 death toll has passed 10,000 more than two years after the pandemic began. The demographic with the most deaths in males aged 80 to 89 years, according to federal government figures up to July 1. That's followed closely by females aged 80 to 89 years. That same data showed the 10-19 age group had the least deaths, followed closely by the 0-9 age group. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Omicron subvariants driving fresh Covid wave in Australia

Omicron cases continue to spread virtually as a wildfire. Australia has now said that it has surpassed the grim milestone of a million Covid 19 infections with more than half of them having been recorded in just the last week.

Australia has now surpassed the milestone of million Covid 19 infections, more than half of them recorded in last week

Australia has now surpassed the milestone of a million Covid 19 infections

Australian government may have to shell out a huge amount as at least 10,000 people are preparing to claim damages for Covid vaccine-related injuries under government's no-fault indemnity scheme, said a report in Sydney Morning Herald.

The compensation for vaccine injuries will be paid in form of lost wages and medical costs.

Lawyers have been quoted in the report saying that people who faced rare but significant side-effects of vaccine like stroke or heart inflammation may get significant compensation.

Aslo read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-to-allow-other-companies-to-manufacture-covid-pill-in-95-countries-429793">Pfizer to allow other companies to manufacture Covid pill in 95 countries</a>

As per data with Australian government, 37.8 million vaccine doses had been administered till November 7 and 78,880 adverse events linked to vaccination were recorded. This amounts to a minority percentage of 0.21 though number of adverse events is large. Patients with significant brain or cardiac injury may even get millions.

A portal is being made to enable people to claim damages. At least 10,000 people have registered interest to make a claim.

Aslo read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-covid-patient-overdoses-on-ivermectin-admitted-to-sydney-hospital-410299">Australia: Covid patient overdoses on ivermectin, admitted to Sydney hospital</a>

As per Australian government's indemnity scheme, patients who experienced moderate to serious side-effects and had to spend at least one night in hospital are covered. Claims for more than A$ 20,000, and also the death claims will be assessed by a panel of independent legal experts and compensation will be paid after that.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australian government may have to shell out a huge amount as at least 10,000 people are preparing to claim damages for Covid vaccine-related injuries under government's no-fault indemnity scheme, said a report in Sydney Morning Herald.

Australian government may have to shell out a huge amount as at least 10,000 people are preparing to claim damages for Covid vaccine-related injuries under government's no-fault indemnity scheme, said a report in Sydney Morning Herald. The compensation for vaccine injuries will be paid in form of lost wages and medical costs. Lawyers have been quoted in the report saying that people who faced rare but significant side-effects of vaccine like stroke or heart inflammation may get significant compensation. Aslo read | Pfizer to allow other companies to manufacture Covid pill in 95 countries As per data with Australian government, 37.8 million vaccine doses had been administered till November 7 and 78,880 adverse events linked to vaccination were recorded. This amounts to a minority percentage of 0.21 though number of adverse events is large. Patients with significant brain or cardiac injury may even get millions. A portal is being made to enable people to claim damages. At least 10,000 people have registered interest to make a claim. Aslo read | Australia: Covid patient overdoses on ivermectin, admitted to Sydney hospital As per Australian government's indemnity scheme, patients who experienced moderate to serious side-effects and had to spend at least one night in hospital are covered. Claims for more than A$ 20,000, and also the death claims will be assessed by a panel of independent legal experts and compensation will be paid after that. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of Australians want compensation for Covid vaccine side-effects: Report

Australia's Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the country was "at the end of the line" for a Pfizer vaccine. He said Australia was facing supply challenges because "European countries and pharmaceutical companies have favored countries with high COVID rates to supply vaccines like Pfizer.

Australian Prime Minister and Finance Minister contradict on COVID-19 jab stocks

Australian authorities announced a three-day COVID-19 lockdown in the northern city of Brisbane from Monday afternoon as they attempt to prevent an outbreak of the virus-laden UK version.

Brisbane to enter 3-day COVID-19 lockdown, an attempt to stamp out UK variant