Coronavirus weekly update

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus today:

1. The WA border has now been open for more than a week. As of yesterday 4,535 new cases had been reported and there are 18,012 active cases in the state. 80 people are in hospital with coronavirus and three are in ICU.
2. Coronavirus numbers in WA are set to peak on Monday. The weeks that follow expect to put the healthcare system under extreme pressure and elective surgeries will be put on hold.
3. BA.2 Omicron variant a concern in NSW.
4. Research shows that people with coronavirus have genes that predispose them to one of two problems: : failure to limit the ability of the virus to make copies of itself, or excessive inflammation and blood clotting.
5. The WHO has reported that more than six million people have died from coronavirus. However researchers in America say the numbers are likely three times higher standing at 18 million. The five countries with the highest estimated excess death rates include: Bolivia, Bulgaria, Eswatini, North Macedonia and Lesotho. Australia and New Zealand sit in the top five countries with the least deaths.