Scrap international testing: Vic airport
Melbourne Airport has urged the Australian government to consider dumping pre-flight testing for some international travellers, in line with domestic settings.
virus diseases
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.
NZ considering new COVID border strategy
COVID-19 Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealand will make a fresh call on border settings "within the next couple of weeks".
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.
Private hospital COVID-19 plan triggered
Health Minister Greg Hunt says Australia has activated an agreement to make more than 100,000 private hospital staff available to help COVID-affected areas.
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.
Aged care COVID-19 outbreaks growing
More than half of Australia's aged care facilities will be hit with a COVID-19 outbreak, according to providers within the sector.
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.
Lone Qld region remains free of COVID-19
The outback region of Boulia is now Queensland's only local government area yet to record a COVID-19 case after Pormpuraaw in Cape York reported its first.
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.
Unvaccinated Qld cops, teachers face sack
Police staff and teachers in Queensland face losing their job for failing to get a COVID-19 jab as the state government defends its vaccine mandates.
Officials optimistic as Omicron peak nears
Health authorities in several states say the peak of the Omicron wave of COVID-19 is nearing, as numbers plateau across the country.
Boosters urged in Qld after seven deaths
Queensland has posted a record seven COVID-19 deaths and 15,122 new cases, as the number of patients in hospital reaches more than 700.
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.
Most believe rapid tests should be free
A new survey by the Australian Institute has found 72 per cent of Australians believe rapid antigen tests should be free to everyone.
Qld govt backs quarantine facility
The Queensland government is backing its regional quarantine facility at Wellcamp, west of Brisbane, despite border restrictions easing.
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.
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.
‘Hope’ Omicron outbreak peaked in NSW, Vic
Australia's Chief Medical Officer is hopeful the latest COVID-19 outbreak has peaked in several states, as the nation reaches a vaccination milestone.
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.
NSW posts 48,768 virus cases, 20 deaths
NSW has posted 48,768 new COVID-19 cases along with a further 20 virus-related deaths despite modelling showing the state tracking better than expected.
Qld border walls start to come down
Queensland Police have begun to remove the border barricades that have played a central role in the state's COVID-19 elimination strategy.