Vaccines crucial despite potential peak
The World Health Organisation says whether or not Australia's Omicron outbreak has peaked, vaccine rates must continue to rise to prevent further transmission.
virus diseases
Disability staff with COVID still working
Two COVID-positive disability support staff in regional Victoria have been granted an exemption to continue working.
Masks to stay as NSW COVID-19 cases rise
Mask rules and hospitality density limits will continue in NSW as the state records 18,512 new cases and 29 deaths.
Vic records 14,836 COVID cases, 29 deaths
Victoria has posted 14,836 new COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths, as the state's hospitalisation numbers jumped after falling marginally in recent days.
Shorten wants QLD kids to get the COVID jab at school
Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten has called for the federal government to run an in-school vaccination program as kids prepare to return to the classroom.
Australia reaches two-year pandemic mark
Australia has marked two years since its first confirmed case of COVID-19 amid optimism Omicron outbreaks have peaked across several states.
Pandemic draws out elective surgery wait
Australians waited longer for elective surgeries last year as hospitals worked to clear a backlog from suspensions of those procedures during the pandemic.
QLD researchers find new listeria treatment
Listeria infections could pose less of a health risk to pregnant women and people with immune deficiency after a discovery by researchers in Queensland.
Omicron has peaked in some states: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt has indicated the Omicron wave may have reached its peak in four jurisdictions, as the final green light was given for a new vaccine.
Qld hospitals ‘bearing’ flatter virus wave
Queensland has another 13 COVID-19 deaths and 10,212 new cases, but hospitals are coping as the number of virus patients is lower than the thousands expected.
ACT records two deaths, 756 cases
A man in his 40s and a man in his 90s have become the latest deaths linked to the ACT's COVID-19 outbreak.
Virus precautions keeping more Queenslanders out of hospital
Another 13 people have died in Queensland's COVID-19 wave as the state records 10,212 new cases and 879 people with the virus are being treated in hospital.
Novavax shot available from late February
Australia's newest COVID-19 vaccine Novavax will be distributed from February 21 after being ticked off by ATAGI.
NSW COVID-19 patients rise, 24 more dead
NSW has reported its lowest daily COVID-19 tally this year, but hospitalisations have risen by more than 100 and are nearly as high as last week's peak.
Victoria has 11,695 virus cases, 17 deaths
Victoria has posted 11,695 new COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths after the state government unveiled a plan to keep students in classrooms amid the Omicron wave.
Shortages plague concessional RAT rollout
The federal government's concessional access to COVID-19 rapid antigen tests has begun, but pharmacists say supply shortages could delay the rollout.
Hanson calls for pandemic royal commission
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for a royal commission into the COVID-19 pandemic, after this year's federal election.
More deaths, school COVID plans revealed
A further 58 virus-related deaths were recorded across the country on Sunday as its two biggest states announced their return-to-school plans.
Two RATs per week for Vic pupils, teachers
Rapid antigen tests will be handed out to students and teachers across Victoria to keep schools open when face-to-face classes resume.
Qld has 10 COVID-19 deaths, 11,947 cases
Queensland has recorded another 10 COVID-19 deaths and 11,947 cases as the state prepares to ramp up its booster rollout after cutting waiting times.
RATs for pupils in NSW back-to-school plan
Two rapid antigen tests per week will be supplied to students and teachers across NSW schools as part of COVID-19 measures for the start of the school year.
Victoria has 13,091 virus cases, 14 deaths
Victoria has posted 13,091 new COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths ahead of the unveiling of the state's plan to protect students and staff when classes resume.
WA needs new transition plan: Nationals
WA Opposition Leader Mia Davies is calling on Premier Mark McGowan to provide a new transition plan as the state records 11 new COVID-19 cases.
Samoa locks down after Qld plane cases
The prime minister of Samoa has placed the country into a 48-hour lockdown after 15 passengers on a flight from Australia tested positive for COVID-19.
Hunt doubles down on Qld rapid test claims
The federal government has denied claims it requisitioned rapid antigen tests from Queensland, despite reaching a $26 million deal with a known supplier.
Testing requirements relaxed for arrivals
The requirement to receive a negative PCR test within three days of flying to Australia has been scrapped, with a rapid antigen test to be accepted from Sunday.
International arrivals to use RATs
Travellers entering Australia from overseas will be able to show a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours of the departure time to gain entry.
Two COVID deaths in ACT, 826 new cases
The death toll from the pandemic in the ACT has risen to 22, with two new COVID-19 fatalities reported in the latest period, as new infections remain stable.
Qld cuts COVID-19 booster waiting time
Another 13 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland and the state has 16,031 new cases, as the waiting time for a third vaccine jab is cut to three months.
First virus death in Tas since reopening
Tasmania has recorded its first coronavirus-related death, a 90 year old unvaccinated woman, since reopening its border, as it posted 866 new virus infections.
Qld doctors demand COVID-19 surge plans
Queensland doctors are demanding to see government plans for testing and managing workers during the COVID-19 surge.