AEC expands phone vote for COVID-infected
The electoral commission has expanded telephone voting to tens of thousands of people in isolation with COVID-19, amid disenfranchisement fears.
virus diseases
Monkeypox in Italy, Sweden as WHO on alert
France has reported a suspected case of the monkeypox virus while Sweden and Italy confirmed new cases amid signs of the virus spreading around the world.
Pauline Hanson struck down with COVID-19
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has contracted COVID-19 and will remain in isolation until after Saturday's federal election.
US virus cases up, China travel curbs ease
The Pan American Health Organisation says coronavirus infections in North America have been climbing for the past seven weeks.
Portugal records five monkeypox infections
Portuguese health authorities have identified five cases of monkeypox in men after the United Kingdom put Europe on alert for the virus.
Tas to lift virus density, capacity rules
Tasmania is lifting its remaining coronavirus density and capacity limits from this weekend, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced.
Rising COVID-19 cases inevitable: PM
Scott Morrison says rising COVID-19 infection rates were inevitable and Australia's management of the pandemic has been one of the best in the world.
One in five worked with COVID symptoms
Almost one-in-five-Australians surveyed admit they worked while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms at some point during the pandemic.
NZ PM Ardern tests positive for COVID-19
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, she says in an Instagram post.
Children urged to ditch devices for sport
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia is moving into a golden decade for major sporting events, as he commits $20 million to a schools sports program.
Europe toll 2 million as Africa cases rise
More than two million people in the 53 countries of the World Health Organisation's European region have been confirmed to have died from COVID-19.
PM wants chance to act on pandemic lessons
The prime minister has asked voters for a chance to act on lessons learned during the COVID pandemic, as industry calls for the provision of rapid flu tests.
Mask rules ditched for flyers in Europe
Australians travelling in Europe this northern spring will not have to wear masks on planes or at airports inside the EU, as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
WA health system fears amid virus surge
COVID-19 cases in Western Australia have surged, prompting calls for the re-introduction of some restrictions, including masks.
Global tests dip, WHO doubts China policy
World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says China's zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy will probably need to change.
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.
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".
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.
WA boosts COVID-19 funding in budget
The West Australian government will allocate more cash to its COVID-19 response in this week's state budget as SA launches a vaccine advertising blitz.
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.
WHO links 14.9mln deaths to COVID-19
Nearly 15 million people were killed either by the coronavirus or by its impact on overwhelmed health systems in the first two years of the pandemic, WHO says.
COVID caseload hits new heights in WA
Eased restrictions have led coronavirus infections to record highs in WA, as disability advocates call for a COVID recovery plan for people with special needs.
Rural nurses ‘let down’ by health report
A parliamentary report into health outcomes in NSW rural and remote areas has failed to back a push by the nurses union for mandated nurse-to-patient ratios.
Virus cases dip except in Americas, Africa
Global coronavirus infections have dropped 17 per cent in the past week, the World Health Organisation says.
COVID recovery plan needed for disabled
Disability advocates are calling for a COVID-19 recovery plan for people with special needs as the virus continues to surge in the community.
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.
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 reports 15 more virus deaths
Australia has recorded a further 15 COVID-19 deaths and more than 32,000 new virus cases.
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.