Another deadly day as NSW provides support
The death toll stemming from the Omicron variant continues to grow, as NSW provided a new $1 billion business support package.
virus diseases
Anxiety high ahead of return to school
Parents and students approaching the return to school as COVID-19 case numbers soar are feeling increased anxiety about what the year will bring.
PM issues Kanye West vaccination warning
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says US rap star Kanye West will need to be fully vaccinated if he wants to go ahead with his Australian stadium tour.
New virus death toll high within 24 hours
Australia has again recorded its highest daily death toll of the pandemic, with 97 fatalities so far.
Another 12 COVID-19 deaths in Queensland
Another 12 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland, with the state recording 10,391 new cases and hospitalisations expected to continue falling.
Tasmania records 683 new COVID-19 cases
Tasmania has reported 683 new COVID-19 infections, with 17 people now in hospital.
Vic posts 12,250 COVID cases, 31 deaths
Another 12,250 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Victoria and 31 people have died with the virus, as hospitalisations and active cases fall.
Teens set for boosters as schools return
Australian children aged 16 and 17 could become eligible to receive COVID-19 booster shots as early as this coming week as schools go back.
Australia records deadliest pandemic day
There were 98 COVID-19 deaths across the country on Friday, a new one-day record since the pandemic began.
Qld records 18 virus deaths, 9974 cases
Queensland has recorded another 18 deaths and 9974 COVID-19 cases, on the two-year anniversary of the state's first virus case.
International tourists back by Easter: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said international tourists could be allowed to return to Australia before Easter, once Omicron cases drop.
Home-schooling was stress hell for parents
Parents who home-schooled their kids during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of stress juggling work and life while in lockdown.
Vic posts 12,755 COVID cases, 39 deaths
Victoria has recorded 12,755 new COVID-19 cases and 39 deaths, the highest daily death toll of the latest outbreak.
COVID-19 boosters approved for teenagers
The medical regulator has granted provisional approval for the Pfizer vaccine to be used as a COVID-19 booster for 16 and 17-year-olds.
No change to full vaccination definition
Australia's immunisation advisory group is still considering whether to change the definition of full vaccination to cover three COVID-19 doses.
Qld has 15 COVID-19 deaths, 11,600 cases
Another 15 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 11,600 new virus cases.
Three dose vaccination definition on cards
National cabinet is expected to finalise a new meaning of "fully vaccinated" on Thursday, with three doses to become the standard.
Europe weighs up Australia travel freedoms
There is the potential for Australia to be restored to a European safe travel list as infection rates in the country continue to fall.
Leaders to get COVID health capacity brief
Federal, state and territory leaders will get an update on the capacity of Australia's health system amid the ongoing Omicron wave.
Better Indigenous COVID jab data demanded
Indigenous COVID-19 jab rates continue to lag significantly behind Australia's whole of population coverage as Labor demands more transparent data.
Vic records 13,507 COVID cases, 35 deaths
Victoria has posted 13,507 new COVID-19 cases and 35 deaths - the highest toll since 2020's second wave.
Peaked or not, vaccination a must
While states are eager to declare they have reached their Omicron peak, the World Health Organisation says vaccination remains the number one priority.
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.
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.