Spending plummets to lockdown lows
Spending across Australia was at its lowest point this week since the Delta lockdowns, according to an ANZ report.
virus diseases
New NSW restrictions, triple-vax mandate
NSW has halted singing in clubs and pubs for three weeks and will impose a triple-vaccination mandate for some people as it tries to slow the Omicron wave.
Tas reports 1489 virus cases: a new record
Tasmania has reported 1489 new coronavirus infections, the first time the island state has recorded a four-digit daily figure.
Victoria records 21,728 cases, six deaths
Victoria has recorded 21,728 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, as the state's health system shifts to rely more heavily on rapid antigen tests.
Omicron surge leads to restrictions return
States have implemented a return to some COVID-19 restrictions as case numbers linked to the Omicron variant surge across the country.
More than 400 virus outbreaks in aged care
There are more than 400 active outbreaks of COVID-19 in aged care facilities across Australia as concerns are raised about how the workforce will cope.
PM ushers Australians to support payment
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has encouraged people to access pandemic support payments if they are forced to isolate due to local health orders.
PM points to state responsibility for RATs
Scott Morrison has defended the government's supply of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests amid criticisms of under-preparation as the tests become harder to secure.
Infected WA security guard spreads virus
Western Australia has detected one new local COVID-19 case as an infected quarantine worker at Perth's Hyatt Hotel spreads the virus.
Qld cases surge ahead of ‘major emergency’
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Queensland has surged to 42,250 with authorities warning hospitals are facing a "major emergency" within three weeks.
PM rejects he underprepared for RAT race
Scott Morrison has defended the government's supply of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests amid criticisms of under-preparation as the tests become harder to secure.
ACT man dies from COVID in Sydney hospital
A Canberra man in his 20s has died in a Sydney hospital from COVID-19, having had two vaccines and no underlying health conditions.
NSW hospitals pressured amid record cases
Elective surgery could be cancelled and private hospitals asked to help relieve the hospital system after NSW recorded 34,994 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths.
Qld records 10,332 COVID cases, one death
New COVID-19 cases in Queensland have almost doubled in a single day with more than 10,300 infections and another fatality with the virus.
Novak Djokovic not above border rules: PM
Scott Morrison has declared Novak Djovokic was not above the rules, after the Australian Border Force cancelled the tennis star's visa to enter the country.
Government cancels Novak Djokovic’s visa
The federal government has cancelled the visa of tennis Serbian star Novak Djokovic just days out from the Australian Open.
Experts sound alarm on testing changes
Medical experts have warned surveillance of COVID-19 case numbers could be incomplete following PCR test requirement changes.
RATs on the way amid NSW testing pressure
The number of COVID-19 infections in NSW continues to climb as the state records 35,054 new cases, with rapid antigen tests still more than a week away.
Key role for Rapid tests as virus surges
Greater use of rapid antigen tests, including free tests to be provided to concessional card holders, will help relieve pressure on COVID-19 testing centres.
Rapid antigen tests to be free for some
Rapid antigen tests will be provided free to more than six million Australians who are concessional card holders, after the national cabinet meeting.
WA detects five new local COVID-19 cases
Western Australia has recorded five new local COVID-19 cases as a Hyatt Hotel quarantine worker tests positive for the virus.
Tas cases ‘could be twice’ reported figure
One in 50 Tasmanians could be an active COVID-19 case in a week's time, health authorities have said just 21 days after the state reopened to hotspots.
Mild Qld virus cases told to stay home
Queensland has recorded another 6781 COVID-19 cases, as health authorities urge those with minor virus symptoms to stay home.
PM criticised for being behind in RAT race
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has resisted calls to make rapid antigen tests free, saying it's not a silver bullet to deal with the challenges posed by Omicron.
PM rules out free RATs despite pressure
Scott Morrison has said making rapid antigen tests free would not be a silver bullet to deal with the challenges of the Omicron variant.
Stay home if mild virus symptoms, Qld told
Queensland has recorded another 6781 COVID-19 cases, as health authorities urge those with minor virus symptoms to stay home.
Qld records 6781 cases, test demand surges
Queensland has recorded another 6871 COVID-19 cases with 10 people in intensive care and two on ventilation, as demand for testing grows.
Qld virus testing centres overrun again
Queenslanders are lining up for COVID-19 tests with a number of private clinics closed again and tens of thousands of cases infectious in the community.
Victoria records 17,636 new COVID cases
Victoria has recorded 17,636 new COVID cases, with nearly one in three people tested returning a positive result.
PM to take RAT plan to national cabinet
National cabinet is expected to discuss the supply and distribution of rapid antigen tests when leaders meet, as COVID-19 cases rise across the country.
NSW cases hit 35,054, with eight deaths
The number of COVID-19 infections in NSW is continuing to climb after the state recorded 35,054 new cases, eight deaths and a rise in hospitalisations.