Hello. It's Thursday, March 10 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
One thing to know right now: Health authorities are worried about the new Omicron sub-variant
NSW Health says COVID-19 cases are likely to increase in the next few weeks because of the new variant.
NSW recorded 16, 288 new cases today, which is up from around 11,000 this time last week.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard told a NSW budget estimates hearing the BA.2 sub-variant — which is thought to be more infectious than the BA.1 lineage — was becoming the dominant Omicron offshoot.
He said preliminary data from the University of NSW indicated cases could "more than double" within six weeks.
Here's Brad Hazzard:
"We're still sitting way off, way off the booster doses that we need through the community.
"People need to understand that while the community has gone to sleep on the virus, the virus hasn't gone to sleep on the community."
What else is going on
The ABC has spoken with the wife of a man fighting for his life in a Melbourne hospital after he contracted Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).
Earlier this week, four Victorians were diagnosed with the virus in what are believed to be the first cases recorded in southern Australia.
It is not known how the virus came onto mainland Australia, and it's the first time the virus has been detected in southern Australia.
David Kiefel's symptoms began with achy joints and a headache in mid-February. By the end of the month he was in hospital and is now on life support.
David's wife Jackie Monk wants people to be aware of the early signs of the mosquito-borne virus so that they can be diagnosed early.
JEV is spread to humans and other animals via mosquitoes.
In the town of Corowa where Mr Kiefel and Ms Monk live, recent rains and floods have led to a surge in mosquito numbers.
While 99 per cent of people who contract the virus do not become unwell, those who develop symptoms face up to a 30 per cent chance of dying, according to the World Health Organization.
News you might have missed
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Ukraine's representative in Australia said Russia won't win the war while Ukrainians are determined to fight for their freedom. Volodymyr Shalkivskyi told the National Press Club he would also like to see Russia's ambassador to Australia sent packing.
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The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia are expected to meet in Turkey later today for their first face-to-face talks since Russia invaded.
- Police have arrested two men over the death of underworld figure Mejid Hamzy after raiding four homes in Sydney. Hamzy was gunned down in 2020
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The Queensland Premier has accepted the PM's offer to declare a state of emergency over the recent floods after she had argued it was needed much earlier. Scott Morrison will meet with the governor-general tonight to include Queensland in the declaration along with New South Wales.
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The Prime Minister will ask the Governor-General to declare a national emergency in New South Wales and Queensland, despite the Queensland Premier's objections. Annastacia Palaszczuk says there's no longer any need for her state to be included in the declaration, given the floodwaters have subsided.
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South Australia is relaxing COVID rules this weekend, including scrapping density limits, lifting the ban on singing and dancing, and lowering the isolation period from 10 days to seven.
One more thing... Wheels or doors?
It's the current online debate where everyone has an opinion.
Just as people were split on whether the dress was blue and black or white and gold (remember that?), people are split over whether there are more doors or wheels in the world.
It started from a Twitter poll by New Zealander Ryan Nixon, which saw more than 200,000 people vote.
Wheels seem to be the narrowly prevailing answer on social media polls, but it's safe to say the matter is not settled.
Whether you too feel strongly about the debate or whether you just need a break from the dire news at the moment, why not tell us your answer.
You're up to date
We'll be back tomorrow with more.
ABC/wires
