Key Covid statistic rises despite drop in NSW and VIC cases, deaths
NSW and Victoria have seen an increase in Covid patients being admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) despite both states recording a drop in daily cases and deaths.
On Thursday, NSW Health announced 17,316 new infections, significantly less than the 21,030 cases seen a day prior.
The cases stem from 7382 positive rapid antigen tests and 9934 positive PCR tests. The state also recorded 29 deaths for the third day in a row.
While hospital admissions have fallen from 2794 to 2722, NSW’s ICU admissions increased on Thursday from 175 to 181.
Victoria's Covid deaths fall after highest day since 2020
Victoria has also announced an increase in ICU patients, rising from 113 to 117, with 40 people on ventilators and 13,755 new daily cases.
The infections stem from 7625 positive RATs and 6130 positive PCR tests.
The state’s health department said there had been 15 more lives lost — a massive drop from 35 on Wednesday, which was the highest death toll since the Victoria's daunting 2020 second wave.
The number of Victorians aged over 18 who have received their Covid vaccine booster has risen to 35 per cent, after 16,979 doses were given at state-run hubs on Wednesday.
Sydney nurses and midwives to protest
The news comes as nurses and midwives prepare to protest about staff-to-patient ratios outside Liverpool Hospital in western Sydney.
It has been revealed that six out of 10 NSW intensive care nurses say they have "no intent of sticking around" once the Omicron outbreak subsides.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association says there is a feeling of "despair" among ICU nurses in a recent survey.
"There are members who are telling us that they will get through this crisis, and then that's it," acting assistant general secretary Michael Whaites told AAP.
"There are a lot of them saying, 'Three to five years, tops'. They can't see themselves giving anything more than that."
Mr Whaites said he was not sure how many nurses and midwives would join Thursday's protest.
State, territory and federal leaders will meet on Thursday to discuss the capacity of Australia's health system, the vaccine rollout and supply chain issues.
With AAP
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