New SA clinics to tackle long COVID
South Australia has established three special clinics to help people suffering from so-called long COVID as cases continue to rise.
vaccines
COVID-19 and flu pose double danger
As Australia heads into winter with COVID-19 still circulating authorities are underlining the importance of vaccination against the flu as well as coronavirus.
Tas premier tests positive after NBL game
Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff has tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an NBL final series game but says he is "feeling well".
Free rapid COVID tests slip on ALP agenda
Times have changed and Labor is backing away from its previous call for free COVID rapid antigen tests for all Australians.
PM won’t back probe into pandemic handling
Prime Minister Scott Morrison won't back a royal commission into Australia's response to COVID-19, saying pandemic is still going.
Three new Omicron subvariants in Australia
Australia's immunisation authority is recommending people wait three months after recovering from COVID-19 before getting their next vaccine dose.
Experts warn of possible renewed flu spike
Two years of COVID-19 restrictions has left fertile ground for a renewed spread of potentially deadly seasonal flu, health experts warn.
COVID-19, flu winter resurgence predicted
People are being warned about a resurgence of COVID-19 and flu this winter with authorities advising both vaccines are required to maximise protection.
Household COVID isolation rule ends
Compulsory isolation for household contacts of people with COVID-19 is a thing of the past as the nation learns to live with the virus.
Australia’s virus toll climbs by 48 deaths
Australia has reported a further 48 COVID-19 deaths, while the nation's virus caseload has jumped almost 39,000 infections in 24 hours.
Cases close non-COVID Tas hospital wards
Three patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in non-virus Tasmanian hospital wards, prompting authorities to close the areas to new admissions and visitors.
$2.1 million needed for long COVID victims
A growing number of Australians are experiencing debilitating fatigue and other symptoms associated with long COVID, prompting calls for government action.
UK kids unfit, overweight after pandemic
Australian researchers have found many UK children gained about seven kilograms amid lockdowns during the pandemic, with nearly half now overweight or obese.
Household contact isolation phased out
COVID-19 household contact rules are being dialled back around Australia, with Tasmania the only state yet to announce when the requirement will be phased out.
ACT ditches COVID close-contact isolation
The ACT has ditched its mandatory week-long isolation requirement for COVID-19 household contacts, joining most states in making the change.
Qld aligns quarantine rules with NSW, Vic
Queensland will ease isolation rules for COVID-19 close contacts from 6pm on Thursday, following changes made by Victoria and NSW.
ACT follows NSW, Vic isolation changes
COVID-19 isolation rules are about to be scrapped in Victoria and NSW, with changes also announced for the ACT.
NSW ends isolation, quarantine for COVID
A raft of restrictions brought in to combat the spread of COVID-19 will be ditched in NSW despite thousands of people continuing to test positive each day.
NSW, Vic iso ends for household contacts
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has welcomed the end of home isolation for household contacts of people with COVID-19 in NSW and Victoria.
Isolation for household contacts to end
Isolation rules for household contacts of people with COVID-19 are tipped to ease in NSW and Victoria.
More COVID deaths in residential aged care
More than 1000 people in Australian aged care homes have died from COVID-19 this year, more than in the previous two years combined.
Latest snapshot of coronavirus impact
The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in Australia at 1600 AEST on Thursday, April 14.
WA eases COVID-19 rules but masks remain
Western Australia will move to the national definition for COVID-19 close contacts but proof of vaccination and mask-wearing mandates will remain in place.
NSW keen to drop close contact isolations
NSW hopes other states and territories will get onboard with changes to close contact isolation rules, but convincing Victoria alone could be enough.
Vic child mask mandate could be scrapped
Victorian children returning to school in term 2 may not have to wear masks, after the state government announced new COVID-19 travel measures.
New Liberal health minister pick imminent
The prime minister will announce Greg Hunt's replacement as health minister within days, as ATAGI declines to approve COVID-19 booster shots for under-16s.
No boosters for 12 to 15-year-olds
Australians aged between 12 and 15 don't require a COVID-19 booster yet, says the nation's vaccine advisory group.
Boosters approved for 12 to 15-year-olds
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has given approval for the Pfizer vaccine to be given as a COVID-19 booster to 12 to 15-year-olds.
Free RATs for Victorians with a disability
Victorians with a disability will be eligible to receive free rapid antigen tests as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the state.
Committee calls for COVID royal commission
A Senate committee examining the COVID-19 outbreak has recommended a royal commission be established to examine Australia's handling of the pandemic.
Push to move away from COVID death reports
Australia may shift to reporting "excess deaths" from COVID-19 instead of total fatalities, with the chief medical officer saying the time is right to change.