COVID-19: Deaths in Australia reach record high

Australia recorded its deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday as its second-largest state declared an emergency in hospitals to cope with record patient admissions.

The country reported a total of 74 deaths across its three most-populous states: New South Wales (36), Victoria (22) and Queensland (16).

"Today, is a very difficult day for our state," New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet told the media.

Only four of those who died in NSW had received their booster shot, leading the state's health officials to call on people to avoid delays in getting their third dose.

"There needs to be a sense of urgency in embracing the booster doses," NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said. "For omicron, we know that the protection is lower and we need that next boosting to get that higher level of protection."

Meanwhile, Victoria declared an emergency for hospitals in the state's capital, Melbourne, and several regional hospitals from Wednesday due to a staff  crunch and rising hospitalization rate.

Nearly 5,000 staff are absent in the state because they have either contracted the virus or are close contacts with people who have been infected.