SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia recorded another spike in COVID-19-related deaths Monday. The highly contagious Omicron variant outbreak peaked and authorities warn that numbers may rise when end-of-the-year holidays resume next week.

This is the world’s No. 13 Economy is trying to find the right balance between moving back after 2 years and dealing with pandemic deaths.

According to authorities, a rolling out of vaccine boosters will decrease the deaths. They also point to stabilisation in hospitalization numbers as an indicator that the situation has stabilized.

On Monday, the nation reported 58 deaths. The majority of those were occurring in three of its most populous states: New South Wales Victoria Queensland. This is consistent with the count from the previous day, but it still ranks among the most severe pandemics.

This month, the total number of cases was 40,681, which is well below peak levels that were nearly three times higher earlier in this month.

Kerry Chant, Chief Health Officer for NSW said that while our assessment indicated that COVID virus spread is slowing down, the situation in NSW is stable. She also stated that although we anticipate an increase in school-related transmissions this can be reduced by your individual actions.

She added, “Getting these boosters will aid us,”

Nearly nine out 10 Australians older than 12 years have had at least two doses (statistics from health experts claim this has maintained a low death rate). However, far fewer Australians have had the third dose of coronavirus vaccine which is used to protect against Omicron.

Although most Australian states oppose a return back to lockdown they have all reintroduced social ditancing measures to stop transmission and required mask-wearing. They are split on the question of how they will manage long-term remote learning and return to school.

When they return to their in-person classes, students in Victoria and NSW will be required to use masks and undergo rapid antigen testing. Queensland, however, delayed returning to school until Feb. 7, to reduce transmission.

John Gerrard, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer warned that “the peak doesn’t mean the end” and warn of “possible extensions of the peak” once schools resume.