LBCI

Australia records first Omicron death, authorities stick to reopening plan

Middle East

27-12-2021 | 02:07

Share

Share

Australia records first Omicron death, authorities stick to reopening plan

2^min

Australia reported its first confirmed death from the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Monday amid another surge in daily infections, but the authorities refrained from imposing new restrictions saying hospitalization rates remained low.

The death, a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions, marked a grim milestone for the country which has had to reverse some parts of a staged reopening after nearly two years of stop-start lockdowns, due to the fresh outbreak.

Omicron, which health experts say appears more contagious but less virulent than previous strains, began to spread in the country just as it lifted restrictions on most domestic borders and allowed Australians to return from overseas without quarantine, driving case numbers to the highest of the pandemic.

The authorities gave no additional details about the Omicron death, except to say that the man caught the virus at an aged care facility and died in a Sydney hospital.

"This was the first known death in New South Wales (state) linked to the Omicron variant of concern," said NSW Health epidemiologist Christine Selvey in a video released by the government.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Australia

COVID-19

Omicron

Death

Authorities

Plan

Variant

Infections

Cases

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Syria deal could remove main obstacle to Turkey-PKK peace: Turkish officials

Middle East News

2026-01-19

Syria deal could remove main obstacle to Turkey-PKK peace: Turkish officials

Lebanon orders public sector closure for Eid al-Adha holidays

2026-05-18

Lebanon orders public sector closure for Eid al-Adha holidays

Israeli military issues urgent evacuation warning for residents in Tyre, southern Lebanon

2026-05-15

Israeli military issues urgent evacuation warning for residents in Tyre, southern Lebanon

Hezbollah media office denies claims about stance on negotiations

2026-03-06

Hezbollah media office denies claims about stance on negotiations

Videos

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

2026-03-25

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

2026-03-08

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-06

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-05

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

2026-03-05

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

2026-03-02

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

2026-02-16

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

2026-02-14

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

2026-02-01

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Trump's message to Netanyahu fuels Israeli debate over Lebanon escalation

1

Trump's message to Netanyahu fuels Israeli debate over Lebanon escalation

Sources to LBCI: Lebanon not informed of details tied to possible US-Iran deal, stresses separate negotiation track

2

Sources to LBCI: Lebanon not informed of details tied to possible US-Iran deal, stresses separate negotiation track

Hezbollah's Qassem says resistance, army, and people "combined" achieved liberation

3

Hezbollah's Qassem says resistance, army, and people "combined" achieved liberation

Possible US-Iran deal raises questions over future of war in Lebanon

4

Possible US-Iran deal raises questions over future of war in Lebanon

Tehran has not agreed to hand over stockpile of highly enriched uranium: Iranian source to Reuters

5

Tehran has not agreed to hand over stockpile of highly enriched uranium: Iranian source to Reuters

Israeli warning issued to residents of 10 towns in south Lebanon and Bekaa

6

Israeli warning issued to residents of 10 towns in south Lebanon and Bekaa

Lebanon says Israeli strike Saturday killed 11, including six women, child

7

Lebanon says Israeli strike Saturday killed 11, including six women, child

Russian army confirms launching nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile at Ukraine

8

Russian army confirms launching nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile at Ukraine

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More