COVID-19 Update: NSW records 20,794 new cases as hospitalisations rise

This is your update on the Coronavirus in Australia for January 3, 2022.

Health care workers administer COVID-19 PCR tests at the St Vincent’s Drive-through Clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Friday, December 31, 2021. Source: Credit: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

The number of people in hospital across Australia because of COVID-19 continues to rise, driven by NSW, which passed 1,000 hospitalisations on Sunday, and has now reached 1,204 in the state.

In NSW, the number of coronavirus patients in ICU rose from 83 to 95. In Victoria, there are 491 people being treated for COVID-19 in the state hospitals; 56 are in ICU and 24 are on ventilators.

The Health Services Union (HSU) has warned fatigued staff at NSW hospitals are feeling the effects of "under-investment", warning the hospital system will reach a critical phase within two to three months.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the federal government has ordered more rapid antigen tests (RATs) and the states are expected to receive more supplies, after placing orders for 84 million tests.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says rapid antigen tests will be free for people who are required to take them as close contacts, but the federal government will not make them free for everyone.

The Unites States' top infectious diseases official Dr Anthony Fauci says while the country is experiencing an almost "vertical increase" in cases caused by the Omicron variant, the peak may be just weeks away.

COVID-19 Stats:

New South Wales has recorded 20,794 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths, while Victoria has reported 8,577 new infections and three deaths.

Queensland has recorded 4,249 new cases, with one man in his 30s having died with a "probable" infection, said the state's premier.

The ACT has reported 514 cases, while 466 infections have been recorded in Tasmania.

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