Australia records 1,391 cases new Covid-19 cases as flu dominates

The hidden truth behind the apparent drop in Australia’s Covid numbers has been revealed.

New Covid-19 reporting requirements in one state has skewed the national data, with the country recording a 25 per cent drop in positive cases in one week.

Australia recorded 9,740 new cases of the virus in the week leading up to July 4, with the majority of those being recorded in NSW.

An average of 1,391 cases of COVID-19 per day were reported across Australia during that time frame.

However, it comes as Victoria changed its reporting conditions on July 1, with people no longer being required to report positive rapid antigen test results anymore.

Victorians no longer have to report positive rapid antigen tests. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Since the change in reporting, Victoria recorded 823 cases in the week ending July 5.

The latest figures show a 68 per cent drop in recorded positive cases from the previous week, with only PCR test results being required to be recorded from July 1.

There are now 158 Victorians in hospital with Covid-19, while 51 deaths were reported in the past seven days.

Victoria will now only record positive PCR tests for Covid-19. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Meanwhile, NSW recorded the highest number of new cases in the past week, with 4,234 people testing positive to Covid-19 in the week leading up to July 6.

New South Wales also had the highest number of deaths and hospitalisations, with 51 lives lost, 1075 people in hospital and 21 remain in intensive care.

It comes as the state grapples with influenza during the winter months.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urged people to get vaccinated against the flu and Covid-19, amid concerns of rising influenza rates and hospitalisations among children and the elderly.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urged people to vaccinate against influenza and Covid-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The latest NSW data revealed there had been a 37 per cent increase in emergency department presentations with influenza-like illness and a 30 per cent increase in admissions to hospital in the week to July 2 compared to the previous week.

NSW Health also recorded there had been 16 children admitted to intensive care with life-threatening complications from influenza since May.

These complications include serious heart, brain, and muscle-related complications, according to NSW Health.

“The very best thing parents can do to keep their kids well this winter, and to reduce the risk of them being hospitalised due to influenza, is to ensure their children receive a flu vaccine if they haven’t yet,” Dr Chant said.

Aussies are battling influenza and Covid-19 risks this winter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

The Northern Territory recorded 44 new cases this week, with seven patients currently in hospital.

There were no new deaths recorded.

Western Australia reported a total of 1,165 new cases in the past week to July 6, with 672 active cases remaining.

The state also recorded 122 people remained in hospital with COVID-19, with one person in ICU.

Six deaths were also recorded dating back to June 12, 2023, which were reported to WA Health in the last week, aged from 78 to 95 years.

Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and ACT are yet to publish the latest Covid case numbers before June 30.

However the national register states there were 305 cases, 151 cases, 63 cases and 36 cases recorded respectively up until July 4.

Originally published as Australia records 1,391 cases new Covid-19 cases as flu dominates