The Omicron variant continues to spread like wildfire across the globe,,,. National Cabinet agreed to redefine the meaning of "close contact"... SBS Latest update in Hebrew

The Omicron variant continues to spread like wildfire across the globe,,,. National Cabinet agreed to redefine the meaning of "close contact"... SBS Latest update in Hebrew

"COVID-19 Omicron" painted pictogram on the ground and a human legs Source: Moment RF

The Omicron variant continues to spread like wildfire across the globe. National Cabinet agreed to redefine the meaning of "close contact"...

The new definition is a household contact of a confirmed case who lives with them or has spent more than four hours with them.

If a person is considered a close contact, they must take a rapid antigen test (RAT) even if asymptomatic.

If the result of the RAT test is negative, they must continue to self-isolate for seven days from their date of exposure to the person who is a confirmed case and there is no need to take another RAT test on day six.

 take another RAT test on day six.

If a person is symptomatic, they must receive a PCR test and continue to self-isolate for seven days.

There has been a sharp rise in the hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients in New South Wales, with the number exceeding 1,000 for the first time.  

1,066 people are being treated for COVID-19 in hospital, which represents a tripling in under two weeks.

The number of people in intensive care is 83.

In the last 24 hours, the state recorded  18,278 new cases and two deaths.

Meanwhile, Victoria's daily cases has again stayed above 7,000.

In the past 24 hours, the state recorded 7,172 new infections and three deaths. 

There are 472 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 98 people in intensive care and 22 on ventilators.