On Australia’s deadliest day of Covid pandemic, experts say we don’t know enough about who is dying

Today is the deadliest day in Australia's Covid pandemic. So far this year, about 30 Australians a day are dying with Covid.

"[These are] someone's parents, grandparents, community leaders, people who contribute to our society," the Burnet Institute director and chief executive officer, Prof Brendan Crabb, says.

And just because someone has "underlying conditions" doesn't mean it's less tragic. "Everyone is special," he says.

Australia reported more than 75 deaths on Wednesday. In Queensland, 16 people died, New South Wales recorded 36 deaths and Victoria had 22 deaths. In the first 18 days of the year, more than 530 people have died - about a fifth of the 2,668 who have died throughout the entire pandemic. That's despite the now dominant Omicron strain being less severe, despite Australia's relatively low death rate, and despite claims the virus is peaking.

While the death rate is low compared to other countries, there will be a rise in both deaths and hospitalisations, the chief medical officer, Prof Paul Kelly, warned on Monday.

"(With) so many cases around, we are going to see a rise, and we've been very clear and distinct about that. I've spoken about that on many occasions. We will see, and have seen, a rise in deaths," he said.

"We will see, and have seen, a rise in hospitalisations and intensive care."