Coronavirus: Australia sees record daily infections as New Zealand remains ‘Omicron-free’
- Australia is currently battling its biggest, most widespread coronavirus outbreak as the Omicron variant has appeared in every state and territory
- New Zealanders celebrated Christmas with few restrictions, in one of the countries largely untouched by the Omicron variant
Australia celebrated Christmas amid a surge of Covid-19 cases, worse than at any stage of the pandemic, which forced states to reinstate mask mandates and other preventive measures. The Omicron strain is prevalent in some states and is estimated to represent more than 70 per cent of all new cases in Queensland.
In his Christmas message, Prime Minister Scott Morrison referenced Covid-19’s toll on society.
“This pandemic, it continues to buffet us,” Morrison said. “The Omicron variant is just the latest challenge that we have faced. But together, always together and only together, we keep pushing through.”
Summer heat might have discouraged outdoor Christmas feasts in some places. The temperature in Perth in Western Australia was expected to hit 42 degrees Celsius on Saturday, making it the hottest Christmas since records began more than a century ago.
Individual Australian states and territories have posted record daily coronavirus infections as the country celebrates its second Christmas holiday under the pandemic.