Scientists have produced evidence that the pandemic virus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans', raising fresh questions over whether its origins were natural or could have occurred in a laboratory.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 Originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Coronavirus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans': Top vaccine scientist says it could only have come from an animal through a 'freak of nature' - and the possibility it leaked from Wuhan lab MUST be investigated
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NSW has recorded 17,856 new COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths in the 24 hours to 4pm.
There are 1582 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 71 in ICU.
Hospitalisation numbers are similar to yesterday, when 1583 patients were being cared for with 71 in ICU.
Of the new cases, 9791 came from positive rapid antigen tests while 8065 came from PCR testing.
"We simply cannot afford to lose sight of this virus," Dr Ryan said on Wednesday.
"As the virus goes underground we need to track it because we don't know what comes back."
Wastewater testing in March revealed BA.2 had become the dominant strain in the Victoria.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he was not surprised the new subvariant had been detected in Melbourne wastewater.
"Not surprised. But not worried. The point with all the newly emergent lineages is that when they out-compete existing variants, we get upward pressure on cases and more risk of getting infected," Professor Sutton wrote on Twitter.
"So get up-to-date with vaccines; wear a quality mask indoors and test when required."
There are 374 patients in Victorian hospitals after contracting COVID-19. Of those, 20 are in intensive care units and four are on ventilators.
Victoria recorded a further seven COVID-related deaths and 9,664 new infections on Friday.
Nearly 67 per cent of adults have had three doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
Australia/New Zealand COVID-19 update 7 April 2022
Australia wide — 63,614 new cases; 484,430 active cases; 2,746 in hospital; 102 in ICU; 33 deaths.
• NSW: 22,255 new cases, 258,292 active cases, 1,437 in hospital, 48 in ICU, 16 deaths.
• VIC: 12,314 new cases, 63,024 active cases, 283 in hospital, 12 in ICU, 4 deaths.
• QLD: 10,984 new cases, 60,130 active cases, 444 in hospital, 17 in ICU, 7 deaths.
• ACT: 1,094 new cases, 5,514 active cases, 49 in hospital, 3 in ICU.
• TAS: 2,365 new cases, 12,799 active cases, 43 in hospital, 1 in ICU.
• SA: 6,091 new cases, 35,984 active cases, 210 in hospital, 12 in ICU, 3 deaths.
• WA: 7,998 new cases, 45,766 active cases, 256 in hospital, 8 in ICU, 3 deaths.
• NT: 513 new cases, 2,921 active cases, 24 in hospital, 1 in ICU.
• NEW ZEALAND: 11,685 new cases, active cases, 639 in hospital, 29 in ICU, 13 deaths.