WA premier flags major COVID announcement
Western Australia's premier has flagged an important announcement as COVID-19 continues to spread through the state ahead of the February 5 border reopening.
health
New COVID vax, treatments get green light
Australia will get a fourth type of COVID-19 vaccine, as two oral treatments for the virus were also granted approval by the medical regulator.
NSW reports 25 deaths, fewer in hospital
NSW has reported a small drop in COVID-19 hospitalisations, 25 deaths and 30,825 cases as the state increases its order of RATs to 150 million.
NSW school parents urged to get boosters
NSW remains committed to getting children back in classrooms on the first day of term while parents are advised to get booster shots as eligibility changes.
Leaders to discuss safe school start
National cabinet is meeting to discuss a safe start to schools, while leaders will be updated on the vaccine rollout, health system and epidemiology.
NSW opens booster door to 1.8m more adults
Millions of residents in NSW became eligible for boosters of the COVID-19 vaccine after the government slashed the time between doses.
No need for daily workplace rapid test: PM
Scott Morrison has urged businesses not to enforce rules requiring employees to return daily negative rapid tests, saying it would further hit supplies.
Canberra records 1467 new COVID-19 cases
The number of COVID-19 patients in ACT hospitals has started to decrease slightly, as the territory records another 1467 new cases.
Incentives for more students, backpackers
Visa application fees for backpackers and international students will be covered by the federal government in an attempt to address the workforce crisis.
Vic reduces vaccine booster dose interval
Victoria has reduced the wait between second COVID-19 vaccine and booster to three months.
Omicron-related deaths ‘are yet to peak’
While COVID-19 cases may have started to flatline, the chief medical officer has warned deaths from the Omicron variant have yet to reach their high point.
NSW reports 32 deaths, 32,000 virus cases
NSW has reported 32 deaths and 32,297 new COVID-19 cases, as the government says it's confident enough RATs will be supplied to the state's 3000 schools.
Winter wave warning for COVID-19
Australia's chief medical officer has warned of another spike in COVID-19 cases over winter as the country hovers near the peak of the current wave.
Qld concern over slowing COVID vaccination
Slowing vaccination rates among a key age group are concerning authorities in Queensland where 16 new deaths were recorded in people with COVID-19.
Qld health minister blasts PM over RAT ad
The Queensland health minister says it is "absolutely appalling" that federal government ads are spruiking free rapid antigen tests at state clinics.
Tas drops rules for vaccinated travellers
Fully vaccinated people entering Tasmania will no longer need to have a rapid antigen test before arriving, or register their travel.
Qld reports 16 virus deaths, 15,962 cases
Another 16 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 15,962 new cases, with authorities urging people to get booster vaccinations.
NSW reports 36 deaths, nearly 30,000 cases
Premier Dominic Perrottet says people have to get on with life as the NSW records its deadliest day of the pandemic, with 36 deaths reported and 29,830 cases.
Anger at COVID support cuts as peak nears
The Australian Council of Social Service has expressed dismay at the federal government's decision to taper support payments as COVID cases continue to rage.
SA abattoir defends handling of virus
The operators of an abattoir in SA's southeast have defended their handling of a coronavirus outbreak that spread from the local community to the facility.
Debate rages over Omicron peak evidence
Health authorities in several states say the peak of the Omicron wave of COVID-19 is nearing, as numbers plateau across the country.
SA’s 3829 new cases as outbreak stabilises
South Australia has reported 3829 new COVID-19 infections as signs continue that the state's Omicron outbreak is stabilising.
Victoria reports 22,429 cases, six deaths
Victoria has recorded 22,429 new COVID-19 infections and six deaths, as authorities begin distributing free rapid antigen tests to essential workers and others.
NSW records 17 deaths, 29,504 COVID cases
Hospital numbers continue to increase in NSW, including in ICUs, as the state recorded 29,504 new COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths.
Booster message in Queensland virus deaths
Queensland's recent deaths from COVID-19 have rammed home the importance of getting booster shots, the state's chief health officer says.
Signs of Omicron peaking in NSW, ACT: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt says there are signs the spread of the Omicron strain is peaking in NSW and the ACT.
Qld records three deaths, 17,445 new cases
Queensland has recorded three deaths and 17,445 new COVID-19 cases with the number of people hospitalised "creeping up" across the state.
Vic has 28,128 COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths
Victoria has reported another 28,128 COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, as a record number of people are in hospital with the virus.
Woolies lashed for supplier’s virus policy
Woolworths has been lashed by a union after one of its main suppliers required employees to wear coloured hairnets to indicate their COVID-19 infection status.
Qld has 19,709 new virus cases, six deaths
Queensland has recorded six deaths and 19,709 new COVID-19 cases as police continue to remove border barricades used in the state's virus elimination strategy.
Victoria has 25,526 COVID cases, 23 deaths
Victoria has reported another 23 COVID-related deaths and 25,526 new cases, including 12,857 from rapid antigen tests.