Key Points
- ACT extends public health emergency
- Tasmanians getting a PCR test will also be tested for other respiratory viruses
- NSW and Victoria begin rollout of monkeypox vaccines
On Monday, Australia reported at least 14 COVID-19 deaths, including seven in South Australia and four in New South Wales (NSW).
Most states and territories continue to report a decline in new infections and hospitalisations. Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia
On Monday, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) extended the Public Health Emergency until 30 September to reduce the public threats from COVID-19.
ACT Health Minister Stephen-Smith said new cases are now averaging less than 1000 per day. However, the level of community transmission still poses a risk to residents, especially those with underlying health conditions.
The latest data showed 952 active outbreaks in residential aged care facilities in Australia.
NSW, Victoria and Queensland reported 310, 207 and 201 active outbreaks respectively.
Two major studies were published in The Medical Journal of Australia on Monday.
In the first study, researchers used the data of more than 17,000 NSW children under 16 to conclude that most children infected with the Delta variant were either asymptomatic or had mild disease.
The hospitalisation was relatively infrequent. They said more children were hospitalised for social than for medical reasons.
"The likelihood of admission for medical reasons declined from infancy to 5–11 years but rose again for those aged 12–15. Sex and Indigenous status did not influence the likelihood of admission," they said.
The second study showed the short-term side effect or myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is milder in adolescents (12-18 years) than complications from the virus itself.
NSW and Victoria have begun the rollout of monkeypox (MPX) vaccines.
Eligible Victorians can get their jab at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Thorne Harbour Health, Northside Clinic, Collins Street Medical Centre and Prahran Market Clinic.
Australia currently has 60 MPX cases, of which 33 are in NSW and 22 in Victoria.
From 9 August, Tasmanians getting a PCR test at state-run labs will also be tested for Influenza A, Influenza B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
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