Australia has reported 35 coronavirus-related deaths and more than 22,000 new infections as the federal government moves to deliver a $55 million boost to Indigenous health.
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Mask mandates have also been lifted and dance floors reopened across the eastern states after several jurisdictions announced an easing of restrictions from Friday.
In NSW, Victoria and the ACT face coverings are still required in high-risk settings such as public transport, aged care facilities, airports and hospitals.
There are exceptions to the rule relaxations for some school students in Victoria and the ACT, who will still have to keep their masks on for now.
Queensland is set to ease its mask rules and density limits next week, while mask mandates remain in WA, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The eased restrictions come as a new vaccine is approved for use in Australia, specifically for people who have not been able to have a dose of existing vaccines.
Evusheld has been granted approval for immunocompromised people who are not likely to have an adequate immune response to a COVID-19 vaccine.
It can also be used for people who currently cannot get a COVID-19 vaccine due to a history of severe reactions to immunisation.
People aged 12 and over and who weigh more than 40 kilograms can access the vaccine.
NSW reported 7017 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday morning while Victoria recorded 5874 and Queensland 4838. The ACT added 478 new infections to its caseload, which now stands at 3922.
There were 1688 cases announced in South Australia, 792 in Tasmania, 632 in the Northern Territory and 1105 in WA, its highest one-day total since the beginning of the pandemic.
There are 1130 people in hospital with COVID-19 in NSW, with 59 in intensive care, while Victoria has 281 people hospitalised, with 43 in ICU. In Queensland, hospital patients number 341, 24 of them in ICU.
Of the 35 deaths reported, 15 were in Victoria, 11 in NSW, eight in Queensland and one in the NT.
Indigenous health services will meanwhile get an immediate funding upgrade which federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says is a result of lessons learned from the pandemic.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services will receive a $54.7 million cash boost, although a three per cent funding increase per year over four years will not kick in until July 2023.
"The ongoing pandemic has once again shown how critical the ACCHS sector is in delivering health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Mr Hunt said.
Australian Associated Press
