On Wednesday, Australia reported at least 48 COVID-19 deaths, including 18 in Victoria and 11 in New South Wales and 10 in Queensland.
New COVID-19 cases continue to surge across Australia. Western Australia (WA) hit yet another peak with 17,033 daily new infections, an increase of 27 per cent on the number of cases reported on Tuesday.
WA also reported three historical deaths.
Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia here.
The WA government has introduced a Bill through the state's lower house to extend its emergency powers under the Emergency Management Act until 3 January.
The legislation enables the state government to impose measures such as seven days isolation requirement for COVID-19 positive cases and the use of face masks for close contacts.
South Australia will open special clinics at Royal Adelaide Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Women's and Children's Hospital, and Flinders Medical Centre to help people experiencing long COVID-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked the world leaders to make firm commitments at Second Global COVID-19 Summit on Thursday.
The WHO said a global response is required as new Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 are driving up deaths and hospitalisations in places with high immunity. The world leaders are expected to discuss strategies to end the pandemic.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has returned a positive result for COVID-19. The billionaire philanthropist recently published a book titled How to Prevent the Next Pandemic.
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