On Thursday, Australia reported 55,602 daily new infections and at least 89 COVID-19 deaths.
Queensland reported its highest daily COVID-19 cases since April.
Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory reported their highest number of people with COVID-19 in hospitals in the past four months.
Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia here.
Researchers from the University of Sydney claimed that the coating is safer than alternative disinfectants. It can be applied to lift buttons and stair rails. It can be safely used in schools, hospitals and restaurants.
In its latest weekly update, NSW Health reported seven cases of new variant BA.2.75 in returned travellers. The new variant has emerged in more than ten countries, but its severity is unknown.
NSW Health said of the 142 COVID-19 deaths last week, only 96 (or 68 per cent) had received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while another 46 were eligible for the third dose.
Leaders at the next meeting of the national cabinet are expected to discuss whether residents could be allowed to access antiviral COVID-19 pills without a GP prescription.
On Wednesday, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation held a meeting following TGA's provisional approval of Moderna's Spikevax vaccine in children under five.
The top immunisation advisory body said they had been reviewing data and will provide their advice to Health Minister in due course.
NT Health Acting Chief Health Officer, Dr Charles Pain, urged residents to remain vigilant ahead of the Darwin Show long weekend amidst a spurt in new COVID infections in the territory.
The World Health Organization in its latest weekly (11-17 July) report noted that the number of new global cases has plateaued after rising for the past five weeks.
The highest numbers of new weekly cases were reported from the US, France, Italy, Germany and Japan.
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