Mask mandate call to curb COVID cases
A leading Australian health expert has called for a return of mask mandates, saying governments dropped the ball responding to the COVID Omicron variant.
epidemic and plague
COVID-19 nation’s third biggest killer
More people are thought to have died from COVID-19 this year than some of the country's largest killers, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Queensland over peak of COVID-19 wave
Pressure on Queensland's health system is beginning to ease after the state passed a peak in COVID-19 hospitalisations much earlier than modelling predicted.
Too early to tell virus has peaked: Butler
Health Minister Mark Butler says the government is yet to confirm the peak of the current COVID-19 wave has been reached.
Kids’ noses better at fighting COVID-19
The lining of a child's nose may be better at staving off the coronavirus than that of an adult, according to Australian researchers.
Nearly 10,000 COVID-19 cases in aged care
There are nearly 10,000 active COVID-19 cases linked to aged care homes around the country and nearly 3400 older people have died since the pandemic began.
Air quality vital in taming COVID: expert
Improving indoor air quality will be key to long-term efforts against COVID-19 and a national approach is needed, a leading epidemiologist has told a committee.
Texts urge disabled to get virus booster
More than a million disability pensioners and their carers will be the focus of a text message campaign to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates.
Vaccine patch combats COVID variants
Queensland researchers testing a needle-free vaccine patch have found it has better efficacy in neutralising COVID-19 than traditionally administered jabs.
Nurses raise concerns over COVID-19 wave
A nurses' union has called on the public to double down on limiting the spread of COVID-19 amid concerns for the wellbeing of healthcare workers.
Queensland quarantine facility to close
Queensland's Wellcamp quarantine facility is to stop accepting guests, with the $200 million complex no longer required amid the changing COVID-19 response.
Toddler dies with COVID as infections rise
A toddler has become one of more than 11,000 Australians to die with COVID-19, with the estimated number of adults infected tripling since February.
Novovax provisional approval for over 12s
Australian adolescents could soon have access to Nuvaxovid, after the COVID-19 vaccine gained provisional approval from the TGA.
Virus response disadvantages young Aussies
Young Australians have been disproportionately disadvantaged from the COVID-19 pandemic response, according to a report.
Vic COVID-19 rules were misunderstood
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry has found confusing language in the state's pandemic orders made the restrictions difficult to understand.
Qld defends $40m hotel quarantine spend
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles says criticising government spending on hotel quarantine is like "throwing rocks from the cheap seats."
Woman charged over fake vax certificate
Police say a woman used a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate so she could work as an administrator at a western Sydney primary school.
COVID-19 isolation requirements stay: PM
The seven-day isolation period for people with COVID-19 will remain but workers unable to go to their jobs will be able to claim $750 from Wednesday.
Unions welcome govt’s payment backflip
Australian unions support the federal government reversing a decision to end paid COVID-19 pandemic leave.
National cabinet to meet on virus response
National cabinet will meet next week for a briefing from health officials on the latest COVID-19 surge across Australia.
Pressure mounts over COVID-19 payments
The federal government is under fire for not extending pandemic leave payments for those needing to isolate, as COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb.
NSW shifts aged-care COVID vaccine rules
Visitors to aged-care homes in NSW won't have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 under changes approved by Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant.
Qld premier calls for national virus talks
Annastacia Palaszczuk says fellow premier Dominic Perrottet supports her call for a national cabinet meeting so leaders can be briefed on COVID-19.
COVID-19 providing ‘real challenges’: PM
The prime minister says he will work closely alongside states and territories to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the winter surge.
PM, leaders to meet over COVID-19 surge
National Cabinet is expected to meet next week for a briefing on the latest medical advice and pandemic response as COVID-19 cases surge across the country.
Treasurer defends end of free RAT scheme
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the federal government can't continue to give free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for concession card holders indefinitely.
Albanese RAT call, COVID ship hits Sydney
As a cruise ship with more than 100 COVID-19 cases docks in Sydney, Anthony Albanese has urged concession card holders to get free RATs while they still can.
GPs, pharmacists urge free test extension
Medical experts want the government to extend the free rapid test program for concession card holders, saying scrapping it sends the wrong public message.
COVID ship docks in NSW as crew isolates
A cruise ship experiencing an outbreak of the virus among staff has arrived at Eden on the south coast.
PM defends end to pandemic leave payments
Anthony Albanese has ruled out reintroducing pandemic leave payments, saying the federal government needs to be fiscally responsible.
Vic govt knocks back mask mandate advice
Official advice to reintroduce COVID-19 mask mandates has been rejected in Victoria, as the state government puts the onus on employers.