Health Minister Mark Butler has sounded the alarm about COVID-19 numbers in Australia.
He said this wave of Omicron had proved to be “very, very significant”.
“We are seeing hundreds and hundreds of thousands of infected Australians every week on this wave,” Butler said.
“To date, there are more than 5,200 Australians in the hospital with COVID.”
He said hospitalizations “were almost certain” that they would increase.
“Our government is committed to doing everything possible to make Australia spend this winter in a safe and healthy way,” Butler said.
He urged eligible Australians to come forward for their reinforcements.
He said 550,000 Australians have received their fourth dose in the last seven days.
“Two doses of Covid vaccines are not enough,” he said.