On Monday, Australia reported at least 17 COVID-19 deaths, including seven in New South Wales (NSW), five in South Australia (SA) and three in Queensland.
Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia .
Australia currently has 1,064 active COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities, involving 9,906 positive cases.
Of the 9,906 infected people, 6,360 are residents, and 3,546 are staff.
NSW reported 344 outbreaks - the highest in the country. It was followed by Queensland (231), Victoria (218), SA (127) and WA (96).
Minister of Aged Care Anika Wells said 78.8 per cent of eligible residents in aged care facilities have received a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose.
From today (1 August), the Department of Health and Aged Care will publish weekly vaccination data of residents and staff in each aged care home.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a statement clarifying it has not removed some COVID-19 rapid antigen tests from the market for failing to detect the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The TGA insisted RATs are vital in managing the pandemic. They are not as sensitive as PCR tests but are faster to perform and receive a result. It said RATs are most accurate when used to test symptomatic patients.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has commenced a review of data on the use of protein-based Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 12-17.
The TGA provisionally approved the Novavax vaccine on 28 July.
ATAGI said it was finalising advice on using Moderna's Spikevax vaccine in children aged six months to five years.
In the coming weeks, the WA government will distribute an additional 11.87 million free RATs to school students and staff.
SA has extended its free flu vaccination program until 31 August.
US President Joe Biden was doing well after testing positive for COVID-19 again, the White House said.
Mr Biden tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time on 21 July and was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid. He tested negative on 26 and 27 July.
His second positivity has been described as 'rebound,' a situation in which patients are treated with Paxlovid. He is currently in isolation.
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