Australia reports jump in daily Covid cases and hospital admissions

Medical staff collect Covid-19 swabs at a drive-though clinic in Sydney (Rick Rycroft/AP)

Australia has seen another jump in Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions, as well as long queues at testing centres, as it battles the rapid spread of the virus in most states.

The country recorded more than 64,000 cases, up from 47,000 a day earlier, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison met virtually with the national cabinet — the leaders of Australia’s states and territories — to discuss how to respond to almost daily records in new cases and rising pressure on hospitals.