Key Points
- Australia releases a new song to remind parents about viral infections in children
- Australia's COVID-19 death toll has passed 13,000
- The WHO reports a 24 per cent decline in global COVID-19 cases
On Friday, Australia reported at least 73 COVID-19 deaths, including 27 in Victoria, 22 in New South Wales and 14 in Queensland.
This week the total COVID-19 deaths in Australia surpassed the 13,000 mark. There have been 13,229 COVID deaths since the pandemic started.
Health Minister Mark Butler told ABC Radio that the hospital system was still facing considerable structural pressures despite the current Omicron and flu waves peaking early.
Mr Butler said the pandemic is not over, and COVID-19 has not settled into the sort of 12-monthly seasonal virus like the flu.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has released a new song (I Got You) to remind families about how to avoid viral infections in children.
On Saturday, from 10 am to 4.30 pm, South Australians can get their COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose at East Adelaide School, Whitefriars Catholic School, Berri Primary School, Pooraka Primary School and Magill Primary School.
There was a 24 per cent decline in global COVID-19 cases for the week ending 14 August, the World Health Organization noted in its latest report.
The cases declined 18 per cent in the Western Pacific Region, which includes Australia, Japan and Korea.
Japan, Korea, the US, Germany and Itlay reported the highest global cases for the week ending 14 August.
The WHO is currently monitoring 200 lineages of Omicron.
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