SYDNEY, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The COVID-19 cases in three of Australia’s worst-hit states have dropped, easing restrictions today, according to official data.
The state of New South Wales (NSW) recorded 7,437 cases and 14 deaths today, the third consecutive day NSW has reported fewer than 10,000 cases.
Hospitalisations in NSW cases, also plummeted to 2,099, while ICU admissions dropped to 137.
From today, NSW’s previously paused non-urgent elective surgery, will return to 75 percent capacity, in private hospitals and some regional public hospitals, as pressure has been relieved.
The neighbouring state of Victoria reported 8,275 new cases today. The hospitalisation was 638, down from 652 the previous day, and 72 cases in the ICU.
Some non-urgent surgeries will also restart in Victoria’s private hospitals and day procedure centres, but they will be able to resume at only up to 50 percent of normal levels.
Victoria’s Minister for Health, Martin Foley said, when the average hospitalisation drops under 600, he will review the settings and consider if metropolitan public hospitals can resume some non-urgent elective surgery, pending an assessment of staff availability and furloughs.
Meanwhile, the state of Queensland’s COVID-19 check-in app is no longer required, for a range of venues, including supermarkets, retail outlets, hairdressers and gyms, as the case numbers in the state showed a downward trend.
The state recorded 4,701 new COVID-19 cases today, down from 5,746 yesterday. There were 663 people in hospital, the same as yesterday.
“The trend is rapidly down across Queensland, and we expect to see that continue throughout Feb,” Queensland’s Chief health officer, John Gerrard, said.
