Skip to Main content

7.75°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jul 14, 2022 6:43 PM - ANI

Millions of Australians could catch COVID-19 over coming weeks: health minister

Share On

Australia's Health Minister Mark Butler has warned that "millions" of people could get infected with coronavirus in the coming weeks amid a winter surge.

Butler recently asked the Australians to wear masks and work from home when needed to mitigate the impact of a wave of BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariant infections.

There were 316,574 active COVID-19 cases in Australia by Wednesday -- a figure Butler said could increase within weeks.

"I think this is a very concerning wave. This is the third wave just this year that Omicron has thrown at Australia," he said on the TV program Sunrise on Wednesday. "It's likely over coming weeks that some millions of Australians will catch COVID-19, some of them catching it again after perhaps having caught it earlier this year."

Butler said employers had been asked by chief health officers to think about whether their business can deal with a short period of working from home arrangements. On Thursday, Australia reported more than 35,000 new COVID-19 infections and more than 70 deaths.

Latest news

ndp-to-table-motion-seeking-federal-ban-on-surveillance-pricing

CanadaApr 13, 2026

NDP to table motion seeking federal ban on “surveillance pricing”

The federal NDP is expected to introduce a motion Wednesday calling on the government to ban a practice it describes as “surveillance pricing,” arguing it unfairly targets consumers using personal data. According to the text of the motion, the practice involves companies using information such as a customer’s search history or the amount of time spent on a webpage to adjust prices, both online and in physical stores. The party says this can result in different consumers being charged different prices for the same product. NDP Leader Avi Lewis said the approach could disproportionately af

school-closed-after-early-morning-fire-at-abbotsford-learning-centre-police-investigating-arson

School closed after early morning fire at Abbotsford learning centre, police investigating arson

Abbotsford police say an early morning fire at a local school is being investigated as an arson, according to a police news release. Patrol officers responded at about 3:49 a.m. to a report of a fire at the Bakerview Centre for Learning on the 32600 block of Marshall Road. When officers arrived, Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Service crews were already on scene and extinguishing what police described as a small fire. Police said the blaze caused damage to both the exterior and interior of the building. No injuries were reported. According to the Abbotsford Police Department, the investigation rema

surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-surrey-central-residence

CanadaApr 13, 2026

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting at Surrey Central residence

Police in Surrey are investigating a shooting that damaged a home in the Surrey Central area early Monday morning. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers responded at حوالي 2:50 a.m. to reports of gunfire near 95 Avenue and 127 Street. When officers arrived, they located a residence with visible damage consistent with gunshots. Police said no injuries were reported among the occupants of the home. The Surrey Police Service Major Crime Section is leading the investigation, with support from Integrated Forensic Identification Services, according to the release. Investig

carney-signals-shift-on-u-s-ties-defence-spending-in-montreal-speech

CanadaApr 13, 2026

Carney signals shift on U.S. ties, defence spending in Montreal speech

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a closing address at the Liberal Party’s national convention in Montreal on Saturday, outlining a tougher position on Canada–U.S. relations and a planned shift in defence spending. According to remarks made during the convention, Carney said Canada would move away from past defence procurement patterns in which a significant portion of spending flowed to the United States. He told party members that future investments would be directed more toward domestic capacity. The statement drew a standing ovation from attendees. Carney’s comments come as Canada

AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Proposed Blue Line LRT extension to Calgary airport enters field study phase

The City of Calgary says preliminary field work is set to begin this month as part of planning for a potential northward extension of the Blue Line LRT toward the airport. According to a city notice, crews will conduct on-site investigations along the proposed corridor to 88th Avenue N.E., including assessments of ground conditions, groundwater levels and site-specific details needed for early-stage design. The work is part of the city’s long-term transit planning and would inform future decisions by council on whether to advance the project, including funding, design and timelines. The airp

Related News

Kamala Harris says she is considering a 2028 presidential run

Kamala Harris says she is considering a 2028 presidential run

Former U.S. vice-president Kamala Harris says she is considering a bid for the presidency in 2028, according to recent public remarks made during appearances tied to her national book tour. Harris, who was the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in the 2024 election, said she is weighing her next political steps amid what she described as ongoing challenges facing the country. She noted that “a lot of work” remains to be done and that current conditions are not working for many Americans. The comments come as Harris travels across the United States following the release of her 2025 c

Vance heads to Pakistan for Iran talks, warns Tehran against “playing” U.S.

Vance heads to Pakistan for Iran talks, warns Tehran against “playing” U.S.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance says Iran should not attempt to “play” the United States as he departs for Pakistan to lead negotiations aimed at ending a six-week war between Washington and Tehran. According to White House officials, Vance will participate in mediated talks in Islamabad as part of an effort directed by President Donald Trump to seek a resolution to the conflict, which began Feb. 28. The administration has not confirmed whether the will be conducted directly with Iranian officials or through intermediaries. The talks come amid signs that a temporary ceasefire could collapse.

Spain to reopen Tehran embassy after reported ceasefire; European officials raise concerns over violations

Spain to reopen Tehran embassy after reported ceasefire; European officials raise concerns over violations

Spain says it will reopen its embassy in Tehran following a reported ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a statement from the country’s foreign minister. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the diplomatic mission would resume operations after the pause in hostilities. He also accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire and violating international law, though no independent verification of those claims was immediately available. Reactions from European officials have emerged alongside the announcement, reflecting broader concern about the situation in the r

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital