Tempers fraying in Australia as Covid-19 cases hit new records

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Australia's daily Covid-19 cases have hit a record high for the third consecutive day, further straining hospital resources and testing facilities as public anger grows over the handling of the fast-moving Omicron outbreak.

Many Australians, already unhappy about long queues at public testing centres and a shortage of at-home tests, were further incensed when news broke that tennis world number one Novak Djokovic had been given a medical exemption to enter the country.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, under pressure at the start of an election year, has sought to reassure voters that his centre-right Liberal-National Party coalition has the situation under control, while keeping tight control on the purse strings.

Read more from Reuters here.

Customers queue outside a Western Sydney chemist to purchase Rapid Antigen Test kits in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in Sydney, Australia, January 5. — Reuters
Customers queue outside a Western Sydney chemist to purchase Rapid Antigen Test kits in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in Sydney, Australia, January 5. — Reuters

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