Australian virus cases close to 10 million

Kaitlyn Offer
Aug 16, 2022, updated Aug 16, 2022

A royal commission will examine the role of state governments in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: AAP

Australia could hit 10 million cases of COVID-19 by the end of August.

The nation is also closing on 13,000 deaths from coronavirus since the pandemic began in early 2020.

As of Tuesday, the total number of new cases racked up since early 2020 is 9.82 million, including 12,870 recorded in the previous 24 hours.

The national death toll currently stands at 12,934, including 27 fatalities announced on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Australian Medical Association says the decision to set up a Moderna mRNA vaccination production factory in Melbourne will be an asset in years ahead.

The factory will be based at Melbourne’s Monash University under a 10-year deal inked by the Victorian and federal governments.

Up to 100 million mRNA vaccine doses will be produced annually under the manufacturing partnership signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday.

Moderna will also set up its headquarters and a regional research centre in Victoria.

The factory will be the only Moderna facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere and first to be based at a university.

AMA President Steve Robson said Australians may have noticed shortages of critical medications and health supplies at the moment, due to global supply chain issues.

“The AMA is very interested in improving sovereign capacity to manufacture so many surgical supplies and medications and things right here,” Prof Robson said.

“We could be a hub for the Pacific. So, the idea that we’re manufacturing vaccines here is fantastic and we hope it expands to lots of other critical medical things for Australians’ health.”