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.
virus diseases
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.
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.
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.