States vary approach to COVID-19 wave
As a fourth COVID-19 wave approaches, some jurisdictions are ramping up their response, while others hold the line on restrictions.
virus diseases
Qld entering fourth COVID-19 wave: premier
The Queensland premier says the COVID-19 alert level will rise from green to amber with state's fourth pandemic wave underway.
Virus-infected cruise ship docks in WA
West Australian authorities are confident a COVID-19 outbreak aboard the Coral Princess cruise liner is being safely managed after it docked in Fremantle.
Queensland scales back pandemic powers
Queensland has stripped pandemic powers from its chief health officer to shut the state's borders or mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public.
Scrapped mandates to skew COVID case tally
Weekly COVID-19 numbers will not include all cases of the virus, with reporting of positive test results no longer mandatory in the two most populous states.
Aust scientists fear encephalitis outbreak
Australian scientists are extremely concerned about the risk of a major human outbreak of Japanese encephalitis and are flagging a potential vaccine shortfall.
How COVID exposed Aust data tracking flaws
Health experts reflect on what they've learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how authorities can fix some of the flaws it exposed.
Australian virus response ‘was over-reach’
Australia has been warned against the perils of over-reach when dealing with future health crises, following a critical review of the response to COVID-19.
Australia’s 1000 dark days of COVID-19
Australia will soon mark 1000 days since it recorded its first COVID-19 case - and experts reflect on the life-altering crisis of the pandemic era.
Australia ends mandatory COVID isolation
It's no longer necessary for people with COVID-19 to isolate, with Australian authorities scrapping rules which have been in place for years.
Ruby Princess’s COVID-19 source disputed
Carnival and Princess Cruise Lines claim there was "a small, well-managed influenza outbreak" on the Ruby Princess before it set sail on its deadly cruise.
Ruby Princess companies reject COVID blame
Ruby Princess's operators were well aware a cruise was in jeopardy of a COVID-19 outbreak before it set sail and 28 people died, a class action trial has heard.
Renewed calls to close border with Indonesia over foot and mouth threat
Livestock transporters have told a senate hearing the border with Indonesia should be closed until foot and mouth is contained, but producers warn against it.
Cop admits illegal border breach escort
A police officer who helped his daughter illegally cross the border into Qld amid COVID-19 restrictions has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.
Melbourne COVID-19 quarantine hub to close
A purpose-built quarantine facility in Melbourne is closing nine months after opening to international travellers as a COVID-19 precaution.
Health warnings after isolation scrapped
The decision by federal, state and territory leaders to scrap mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods for most Australians has been criticised by health experts.
Mandatory COVID isolation rules scrapped
National cabinet has agreed to end mandatory five-day isolation periods for people with COVID-19 - unless they work in hospitals or aged care.
Australia remains vulnerable to new COVID-19 variants: review
Australia is not well-prepared should another variant of COVID-91 sweep through the country, a review of vaccine and treatment procurement has found.
COVID-19 cases continue to drop nationally
The national average number of COVID-19 cases dropped about 15 per cent compared to the previous reporting week, the latest federal coronavirus data shows.
Data expected to show drop in COVID cases
The federal health department is due to release the latest data on COVID-19 cases, vaccinations and the impact on hospitals.
Canada, Japan ease entry while WHO warns
The WHO says the global decline in monitoring for the coronavirus means that discovering new variants is becoming more difficult.
Victoria scraps masks on public transport
Victorians will no longer need to wear masks on public transport after the state government decided to fall in line with the rest of the country.
Lockdowns hit happiness more than cases
Lockdowns throughout the pandemic affected the mental health of Australians, particularly men, more than hearing rising case numbers, a new study shows.
Major step to booster for young children
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has provisionally approved the Pfizer booster for children aged five to 11, with a decision pending on its rollout.
Vic to trial COVID nasal spray treatment
A COVID-19 nasal spray designed to reduce a person's viral load will undergo a six-month clinical trial in Victoria.
Study confirms mRNA vax safe in pregnancy
Pregnant women vaccinated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines reported fewer side effects than non-pregnant women, according to a Canadian study.
Omicron wave sends office return backwards
Office occupancy rates plunged in most major Australian cities in July as COVID-19 cases spiked across the country.
Mask mandate call to curb COVID cases
A leading Australian health expert has called for a return of mask mandates, saying governments dropped the ball responding to the COVID Omicron variant.
COVID-19 nation’s third biggest killer
More people are thought to have died from COVID-19 this year than some of the country's largest killers, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Queensland over peak of COVID-19 wave
Pressure on Queensland's health system is beginning to ease after the state passed a peak in COVID-19 hospitalisations much earlier than modelling predicted.
Too early to tell virus has peaked: Butler
Health Minister Mark Butler says the government is yet to confirm the peak of the current COVID-19 wave has been reached.