Experts warn of COVID-19 reinfection risk
With two strains of COVID-19 circulating in the community, experts say there's a large risk of people becoming reinfected with the virus as case numbers rise.
virus diseases
Queensland’s border barriers begin to fall
Queensland Police have begun to scale down the border barricades that have played a central role in the state's COVID-19 elimination strategy.
Qld minister’s RAT kit claims denied
The federal health department says a Qld government minister's claims that rapid antigen tests intended for the state have been diverted elsewhere is incorrect.
Church apologises, premier calls for fine
The NSW premier has called for organisers of a Hillsong camp, where attendees were filmed flouting public health orders, to be fined, as the church apologises.
Qld has three virus deaths, 23,630 cases
Queensland has recorded three COVID-19 deaths and 23,630 new virus cases the day before the state drops all domestic border controls.
Isolation change won’t add risk: experts
Despite COVID-19 isolation measures being changed for multiple workplace sectors, experts say it won't add to the risk of virus transmission.
Premier wants Hillsong fined over ‘breach’
The NSW premier has called for organisers of a Hillsong church camp, where attendees were filmed flouting public health orders, to be fined.
Police rule out fine for Hillsong ‘breach’
NSW police have ruled out fining organisers of a Hillsong church camp, where attendees were filmed singing and dancing in defiance of public health orders.
NSW has 63,018 COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths
Australia's chief medical officer says NSW may be approaching its peak in COVID-19 infections after the state reported 63,018 new cases and 29 deaths.
Disability advocates hit out at iso change
Disability advocates have criticised changes to close contact isolation rules saying the federal government is not taking care of Australia's most vulnerable.
COVID-19 testing rule changes on the way
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged changes to COVID-19 surveillance testing rules, as Omicron cases continue to rise.
Essential workers expanded to boost supply
National cabinet has agreed to expand the definition of essential workers to help address critical supply-chain issues caused by rising Omicron cases.
Qld suffers deadliest day of pandemic
Queensland will drop all domestic border controls from 1am on Saturday after recording six COVID-19 deaths and 14,914 new virus cases.
Queensland’s border wall to fall in days
As infection numbers grow, the barricades that played a central role in Queensland's COVID-19 elimination strategy will be removed in a matter of days.
Qld has six virus deaths, to open borders
Queensland will drop all domestic border controls from 1am on Saturday after recording six COVID-19 deaths and 14,914 new virus cases.
NSW reports 92,264 COVID cases, 22 deaths
NSW has reported a dramatic rise in new COVID-19 infections to 92,264, on top of 22 deaths, after RAT results were included for the first time.
Quarantine exemption about ‘managing risk’
Leaders are set to discuss staff shortages and the safe return to school amid rising COVID-19 cases at a meeting of national cabinet.
PM ignored health advice, Albanese says
Calls for universal access to free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests have grown as the government put out urgent tenders to secure $60 million worth of them.
NSW virus spike expected as RATs added
More than 78,000 positive rapid antigen tests have been reported in NSW, almost a day after the state's mandatory reporting system for the self-test went live.
National cabinet to discuss school return
Leaders are set to work out a plan for how schools can safely reopen amid rising COVID-19 cases at a meeting of national cabinet.
NSW residents face fines over RAT reports
NSW residents who test positive for COVID-19 on rapid antigen tests must now report their results as the state reaches a record for fatalities.
Qld records another 22,069 virus cases
Queensland has recorded 22,069 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state's outbreak to more than 130,000 cases, with hundreds in hospital with the virus.
School ‘safer than remaining in community’
NSW and Victoria have doubled down on reopening schools on their scheduled starting days despite calls to delay as COVID-19 infections surge.
Air purifiers for Victoria schools delayed
Transport delays are being blamed for the slower-than-expected rollout of air purifiers to Victorian public and low-fee independent schools.
Mandatory rapid test reporting for NSW
NSW residents who test positive for COVID-19 on rapid antigen tests must now report their results as the state reaches a record for fatalities.
Victoria recruits 1000 booster vaccinators
Victoria will recruit 1000 people, including first year health students, to administer COVID-19 vaccine boosters as demand for a third dose ramps up.
NSW records 21 deaths, 34,759 new cases
NSW has reached another grim milestone after reporting a record 21 deaths from COVID-19 on top of 34,759 new cases.
Vic has 40,127 COVID-19 cases, 21 deaths
Victoria has reported another 40,127 COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths as rising demand and staff absences cause delays in answering triple zero calls.
Don’t delay school start, leaders urged
A former deputy chief medical officer is calling on national cabinet to not delay the start of the school year, despite surging Omicron cases.
Urgent talks to address supply chain issue
Ministers are meeting with essential business sectors on possible COVID-19 isolation changes to help solve supply chain shortages due to rising infections.
COVID-hit businesses losing hope: Qld LNP
The Queensland Opposition says COVID-19 has hit small and family businesses hard and has called on the state government to provide more support.