COVID testing, close contact changes due
National cabinet will discuss a consistent definition of a close contact and what role rapid antigen tests will play as COVID-19 cases spike across the country.
health
Thousands of blood donors needed by Monday
The holiday season is always a challenge for blood donation, but new donors are being urged to give, as the number of missed appointments reaches record highs.
Victoria records 3767 new COVID-19 cases
COVID-19 cases in Victoria have taken a massive jump, with 3767 new infections recorded and five deaths.
NSW pressures Qld to drop PCR requirement
The NSW premier is pressuring his Queensland counterpart to change the state's border rules, which he claims are overwhelming testing clinics in NSW.
Pivot on COVID test rules as demand swells
State health authorities are changing their requirements for COVID-19 testing as systems struggle to meet demand with would-be travellers adding to long queues.
WA records zero local COVID-19 cases
Western Australia has not recorded any new local COVID-19 cases from almost 5000 tests.
NT records another 16 COVID-19 cases
Northern Territory authorities have detected another 16 cases of COVID-19, with a number active in the community while infectious.
Qld scraps day five test, cases pass 1000
Queensland has recorded 1158 new COVID-19 cases as the daily infection rate soars past 1000 for the first time.
Victoria records 2738 new COVID-19 cases
Victoria has recorded 2738 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths, but hospitalisations and ICU admissions are down.
WA adds one backpacker-linked COVID case
Western Australia has one new COVID-19 case linked to an infected French backpacker from Queensland as health restrictions are extended until January 4.
Mystery COVID-19 case detected in Darwin
The Northern Territory has detected 12 new COVID-19 infections as authorities investigate the source of a mystery case in Darwin.
ACT posts 189 COVID-19 cases, new record
The ACT has reported 189 new COVID-19 cases, a record high in daily infections after a dip on Boxing Day.
Qld records 784 new COVID-19 infections
Queensland has recorded 784 COVID-19 cases but case numbers in hospitals remain low, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.
Victoria records 1999 new COVID-19 cases
Victoria has reported 1999 new COVID-19 cases, but the overall active case numbers have fallen by nearly 1000 overnight.
WA detects new case linked to backpacker
Western Australia has found a new COVID-19 case linked to an infected French backpacker who travelled from Queensland.
Sydney hospital sends 400 false negatives
The pathology unit at a major Sydney hospital has accidentally sent more than 400 incorrect negative test results on Christmas Day.
Qld records 714 new COVID-19 infections
Queensland has recorded 714 COVID-19 cases with Chief Health Officer John Gerrard attributing the fall from 765 a day earlier to a Christmas Day testing lull.
Australians face Boxing Day virus surge
Australians are bracing for virus case numbers to soar past 10,000 after the second Christmas Day since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
Thousands spend Christmas in isolation
With more than 30,000 people testing positive for COVID-19 just in NSW over the past 10 days, it'll be a sad, quiet Christmas for the many in isolation.
WA toughens more border restrictions
Western Australia has toughened border restrictions with South Australia and Queensland over "alarming" COVID-19 case numbers in those states.
Aussies celebrate second COVID Christmas
Australians are coming together for their second Christmas since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in Australia, as the Omicron variant continues to spread.
Tasmania records 27 cases, new daily high
Tasmania has recorded 27 coronavirus infections, a new daily high for the island state, and now has 79 active cases.
Victoria has 2095 COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths
Victoria has reported 2095 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths, after reinstating mandatory mask-wearing in all indoor venues.
COVID restrictions return amid case surge
States and territories are reintroducing COVID-safe measures and working to reform how they contact trace exposures amid a sharp spike in infections.
WA to learn extent of COVID-19 outbreak
West Australians are donning face masks for last-minute Christmas shopping after a backpacker visited more than a dozen venues while infected with COVID-19.
ACT hits new daily COVID record, 85 cases
The ACT has set a new daily record for COVID-19 cases with 85 reported in the latest period.
Vic testing system jammed by ‘bureaucracy’
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities blame longer COVID-19 testing wait times on interstate bureaucracy.
Vic Omicron cases jump amid testing surge
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities encourage residents to get tested despite the system struggling to keep up with demand.
ACT has record daily rise of 58 cases
The ACT has recorded a new record daily high of 58 COVID-19 infections amid lengthy queues for testing.
More Vic test sites shut, premier returns
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is interrupting his leave to attend Wednesday's national cabinet meeting, as COVID-19 testing site continue to be overrun.
NSW climbs to 3763 COVID-19 cases
NSW has recorded 3763 cases of COVID-19 overnight, another daily record for the pandemic as people rush to get tested before the Christmas break.