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.
virus diseases
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.
COVID boosters for teens being considered
Medical experts are examining whether to allow COVID booster shots for 16 and 17-year-olds, after the child vaccination rollout began this week.
Push to mandate rapid test reporting
Australian jurisdictions are expected to begin mandating rapid test result reporting to better track where COVID-19 is circulating.
Qld reports 20,566 COVID cases, one death
Queensland has recorded 20,566 new COVID-19 cases and one death, with the jump in infections partially attributed to delays from a number of testing labs.
Qld jury trials suspended due to COVID-19
Queensland COVID-19 outbreak has risen to more than 90,000 cases with 419 being treated in hospital as the state's top judges move to suspend new jury trials.
NSW reports 25,870 COVID cases, 11 deaths
NSW has reported 25,870 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths, with more than 2100 patients in hospitals with the virus.
Calls for rapid antigen tests in schools
A leading epidemiologist has called for students to be given rapid antigen tests "every other day" because children aged five to 11 are largely unvaccinated.
NSW wants RAT reporting to be mandatory
NSW is working on legally requiring people to report a positive result from a self-administered rapid antigen test so it doesn't lose sight of infections.
Omicron clouds loom on return to classroom
Health authorities are trying to figure out how students can safely return to the classroom as Omicron COVID-19 cases rise across the country.
Worker rules to free up fruit and veges
Supermarkets are expected to be better stocked over coming days as new rules come into force allowing supply chain workers greater freedom from quarantining.
Child COVID-19 vaccination rollout begins
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the start of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has gone well despite concerns about staffing and logistical issues.
Coronavirus news in Australia
The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Australia at 1730 AEDT on Monday, January 10.
Vic mandates boosters, dancefloors close
Victoria is yet to reach its peak in COVID-19 infections, the health minister warned as he announced a booster mandate for critical workers and other changes.
Critical worker isolation under review
New measures adopted by NSW, Victoria and Queensland exempting more critical workers from COVID-19 isolation will go before national cabinet for discussion.
Qld posts 9581 cases, surge on Gold Coast
A quarter of the 419 people in hospital in Queensland with COVID-19 are from the Gold Coast, as the state records 9581 new cases.
Record daily COVID-19 deaths for NSW
NSW has reported a record number of COVID-19 deaths, including a young child, as the number of people hospitalised with the virus rises.
PM calls for co-ordinated school reopening
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says work is under way to ensure the reopening of schools for the new year is harmonised across the country.
Qld may extend school delay amid outbreak
The start of Queensland's school year could be delayed further as authorities vaccinate children over the age of five before the COVID-19 outbreak peaks.
Home test shortages due to hoarders: Joyce
The federal government has warned people not to hoard rapid testing kits as pharmacies expressed concern about how free tests will be rolled out.
Vic GP child vaccine supply ‘sporadic’
Victorian GPs are receiving child COVID-19 vaccine doses in "sporadic" and "inadequate" numbers, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says.
School return locked in, says NSW premier
Premier Dominic Perrottet says NSW has purchased a further 50 million rapid antigen test kits which will be distributed across the state.
Calls for patience in kids’ jab rollout
Lieutenant General John Frewen says vaccine supply for children aged between five and 11 isn't an issue as he works to overcome distribution problems.
Enough doses as kids’ program begins: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt says there will be three million COVID-19 vaccines available over January for the children's program which begins on Monday.
Vic school start as normal, jab for kids
Victoria isn't planning on delaying the start of the school year as kids over five become eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine.
Virus deaths spike, children jabs begin
The daily death toll from COVID-19 has spiked to 20, with NSW reporting 16, its highest number since the pandemic began.
Qld delays school after 18,000 new cases
The start of the school year will be delayed two weeks for most Queensland children after the state recorded another 18,000 COVID-19 cases.
Omicron peak still ‘weeks away’, AMA warns
The Australian Medical Association says the nation's healthcare system needs extra support as COVID-19 cases surge towards a peak that is still weeks away.
Govt eases rules on COVID-19 leave support
Workers who return a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test will soon be able to access pandemic leave disaster payments .