SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia reported Thursday its largest pandemic caseload. A runaway Omicron epidemic drove up hospitalisations. The surge placed severe strain on supply chain and forced authorities to relax quarantine regulations for workers.

Australia reported almost a million coronavirus cases in two weeks after containing it earlier during the pandemic. People are slowly adapting to the new lifestyle with fewer restrictions. Nearly 1.4 million infections have been detected since the outbreak.

On Thursday, more than 147,000 cases were reported in Australia. This includes 92,000 cases in New South Wales (NSW), the state with the highest population. However, there is a backlog in positive results from at-home dating back to January.

Although net new admissions to hospitals and those admitted to intensive care have been at an all-time high during the pandemic, authorities claim that the system can handle the increasing numbers of cases.

So far 53 more deaths have been recorded. NSW was the most affected with 22 deaths. But, the Omicron waves death rates are lower than other outbreaks in Australia. In Australia 92%+ of those over 16 have been double-dosaged and an increase is being made.

In the face of increasing supply chain pressure, Victorian state officials exempted additional workers from quarantine for close contact. If they feel well, staff in education and emergency services can return to work.

On Thursday, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews stated that there is no easy solution. While these are simple changes that are common-sense, they won’t solve all the problems.

Victoria’s action comes just before the meeting of the National Cabinet – the group consisting of federal and state officials – which takes place later Thursday. There, Prime Minister Scott Morrison proposes steps to ease the business supply chain pressure.

Queensland has decided Thursday to open all its borders to foreigners for the first time since almost two years. Travellers will no longer need to have border passes or negative COVID-19 results.