Australia reports 38pc increase of COVID-19 cases

Australia has reported a 38 percent increase in COVID-19 cases amid a fourth national wave of infections.

According to data published by the federal Department of Health, an average of 10,799 new COVID19 infections were reported nationally every day in the week to Friday. It represents an increase of 38.2 percent from the previous week (7,809 per day on average) and a 103 percent increase from 5,300 cases per day in the first week of November.

On average, 1,973 COVID-19 patients were being treated in hospitals every day, up from the previous figure of 1,553, and more than 110 deaths were recorded across the country. In response to the increase, Australia's largest state New South Wales (NSW) has reimposed restrictions, making face masks mandatory in all areas of public hospitals and health facilities.The president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Steve Robson, has warned the hospital system could be placed under immense pressure if cases continue to rise into the "high risk" Christmas period.