COVID testing, close contact changes due
National cabinet will discuss a consistent definition of a close contact and what role rapid antigen tests will play as COVID-19 cases spike across the country.
virus diseases
Victoria records 3767 new COVID-19 cases
COVID-19 cases in Victoria have taken a massive jump, with 3767 new infections recorded and five deaths.
Queensland scraps pre-travel PCR tests
Queensland will no longer require pre-travel PCR results from interstate travellers from January 1, to help ease strain on COVID-19 testing centres.
Hugh Jackman tests positive for COVID
Actor Hugh Jackman says he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Pivot on COVID test rules as demand swells
State health authorities are changing their requirements for COVID-19 testing as systems struggle to meet demand with would-be travellers adding to long queues.
WA records zero local COVID-19 cases
Western Australia has not recorded any new local COVID-19 cases from almost 5000 tests.
Qld scraps day five test, cases pass 1000
Queensland has recorded 1158 new COVID-19 cases as the daily infection rate soars past 1000 for the first time.
WA adds one backpacker-linked COVID case
Western Australia has one new COVID-19 case linked to an infected French backpacker from Queensland as health restrictions are extended until January 4.
Mystery COVID-19 case detected in Darwin
The Northern Territory has detected 12 new COVID-19 infections as authorities investigate the source of a mystery case in Darwin.
Qld records 784 new COVID-19 infections
Queensland has recorded 784 COVID-19 cases but case numbers in hospitals remain low, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.
Australia braces for post-Xmas COVID rise
An increase in daily infections across the country is anticipated after falls in testing rates and hundreds of people being given falsely negative results.
WA detects new case linked to backpacker
Western Australia has found a new COVID-19 case linked to an infected French backpacker who travelled from Queensland.
Sydney hospital sends 400 false negatives
The pathology unit at a major Sydney hospital has accidentally sent more than 400 incorrect negative test results on Christmas Day.
New SA restrictions after record 774 cases
SA Premier Steven Marshall says he wants to ensure new daily infections don't get out of control and has reintroduced density limits at gatherings.
Qld records 714 new COVID-19 infections
Queensland has recorded 714 COVID-19 cases with Chief Health Officer John Gerrard attributing the fall from 765 a day earlier to a Christmas Day testing lull.
Australians face Boxing Day virus surge
Australians are bracing for virus case numbers to soar past 10,000 after the second Christmas Day since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
WA toughens more border restrictions
Western Australia has toughened border restrictions with South Australia and Queensland over "alarming" COVID-19 case numbers in those states.
Qld daily virus cases climb to 589
Queensland has 589 new virus cases and Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has warned residents they need to set up a COVID-19 care plan in case they get sick.
Tasmania records 27 cases, new daily high
Tasmania has recorded 27 coronavirus infections, a new daily high for the island state, and now has 79 active cases.
Victoria has 2095 COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths
Victoria has reported 2095 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths, after reinstating mandatory mask-wearing in all indoor venues.
Latest snapshot of the coronavirus impact
The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in Australia at 1530 AEDT on Thursday, December 23.
Vic testing system jammed by ‘bureaucracy’
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities blame longer COVID-19 testing wait times on interstate bureaucracy.
More mask rules as Qld records 186 cases
Mask restrictions will tighten in Queensland cinemas and hospitality venues as the state reports a record 186 new COVID-19 cases.
PM plays down worst case COVID modelling
The Morrison government has played down modelling showing up to 200,000 COVID-19 cases a day is a possibility without tightened restrictions.
Vic Omicron cases jump amid testing surge
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities encourage residents to get tested despite the system struggling to keep up with demand.
More Vic test sites shut, premier returns
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is interrupting his leave to attend Wednesday's national cabinet meeting, as COVID-19 testing site continue to be overrun.
NSW climbs to 3763 COVID-19 cases
NSW has recorded 3763 cases of COVID-19 overnight, another daily record for the pandemic as people rush to get tested before the Christmas break.
Vic has 1503 COVID-19 cases, six deaths
Victoria has reported 1503 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, as Premier Daniel Andrews briefly returns from leave for Wednesday's national cabinet meeting.
Government plays down COVID modelling
The Morrison government has played down modelling showing up to 200,000 COVID-19 cases a day is a possibility without tightened restrictions.
National cabinet meets as virus cases rise
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will host state and territory leaders at a virtual national cabinet meeting amid rising COVID-19 cases.
National cabinet meets as COVID cases rise
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will host state and territory leaders at a virtual national cabinet meeting amid rising COVID-19 cases.