SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia’s COVID-19 infection rates hovered at record highs on Tuesday due to an influx of Omicron-related infections that put a strain upon hospitals already understaffed by people who are vaccinating for the virus.

Australia was able to contain the coronavirus during most of the pandemic. However, the Omicron variant has spread rapidly in Australia.

Since the outbreak, Australia has reported more than 1.1 million cases, and there have been nearly 86,000 on Tuesday. Two states are expected to report shortly after.

Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews said that there was significant pressure on the health system. He also stated that about 400 staff members in ambulance and 4,000 in hospitals were under strain due to viruses.

Officials from the Victoria ambulance service were told by broadcaster ABC that they had to declare code red when there was a high number of calls than available ambulances. This happened for several hours Monday night.

More people are in Victoria and New South Wales hospitals than ever before during the pandemic.

As of Tuesday night, approximately 4,000 COVID-19-infected people were in hospitals. This is nearly twice the number that was there a week earlier. Over 92% have received a second dose of vaccine, and the pace of a booster program is increasing.

With 25 more deaths reported on Tuesday and data still missing from other states, the numbers of intensive care patients are increasing.

Scott Morrison is under pressure from his election-year handling of Omicron waves. He has pledged to push through the epidemic and will ease isolation rules for workers affected in key sectors. There have been reports that there are no shelves on the supermarket shelves.