World moving out of COVID-19 emergency phase: WHO
The World Health Organisation is hopeful it will be able to declare an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern this year.
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Rate of long COVID-19 symptoms mirrored by flu patients
Long-term symptoms that last more than three months are not unique to COVID-19 among a highly vaccinated population, a study in Queensland shows.
Carnival defeats norovirus class action pleadings
Carnival has successfully scrapped the pleadings in a class action against the cruise operator over eight outbreaks of the highly contagious norovirus.
Flu, COVID-19 jabs encouraged before ‘triple pandemic’
Winter could bring a perfect storm of flu, COVID-19 and other viruses, and health authorities want those at a higher risk of severe illness to get vaccinated.
Fresh waves of COVID on the way, top doctor warns
As the government ramps up booster rate efforts, the chief medical officer has warned new COVID waves are coming ahead of winter.
WHO revises COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
The World Health Organisation says it wants to prioritise efforts on vaccinating those facing the greatest threat of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
Top doctor’s flu warning ahead of virus triple threat
The former face of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is urging Australians not to make the same mistake he did about the flu vaccine.
COVID-19 could be key to fighting breast cancer
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is backing a researcher's plan to try to use COVID-19 immunity to fight breast cancer.
Research shows rise in nicotine use during early COVID
Australia's nicotine consumption increased by 30 per cent in the early stages of the pandemic due to high stress and restrictions, researchers suggest.
WHO ‘still working to identify origins of COVID-19’
The World Health Organisation has not abandoned any plans to identify the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, its director general says.
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More than 104,000 wait to see health specialist in Qld
Queensland hospitals are struggling to meet demand with more than 104,000 outpatients waiting longer than the clinically recommended time to see a specialist.
Virus cases rise as mandatory reporting ends
There has been a small increase in the nation's daily average COVID-19 cases, according to the latest health department data
WHO working with Cambodia on ‘worrying’ bird flu
The World Health Organisation has described the global H5N1 bird flu situation as "worrying" after two human cases of the disease were reported in Cambodia.
Scientists develop new vaccine for encephalitis in pigs
Scientists have developed a new Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine for pigs to help stop the spread of this mosquito-borne disease.
National plan to tackle long COVID being developed
Health officials have told an inquiry a national plan in how to manage cases of long COVID is being developed.
New Zealand records first measles case since 2020
An Auckland adult who attended a music festival while infectious has tested positive to measles in New Zealand's first case since 2020.
All adults to be offered fresh COVID-19 booster
The government has announced everyone who has not had a COVID-19 booster or a case of the virus in the past six months can get another vaccine shot.
Regulator backs rapid tests as COVID-19 cases fall
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a statement in defence of rapid antigen tests as COVID-19 caseloads continue to fall across the country.
Millions of RATs due to expire
Millions of RATs are due to expire in coming months, prompting debate about what to do with the excess tests.
COVID-19 cases continue to slide
The number of average daily COVID-19 cases in Australia is still trending downwards, federal government data shows.
Omicron jab gets provisional green light
A Pfizer booster that specifically tackles two Omicron COVID-19 variants has been given provisional approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
COVID-19 risks ease as cases keep falling
The latest Australian COVID-19 data on cases, hospitalisations and deaths shows the number of cases are still decreasing.
Surface spray could kill COVID-19, viruses
Researchers have developed a surface spray that can potentially kill viruses such as COVID-19 as well as deadly bacteria 24 hours after it's applied.
Virus cases in post-Christmas decline
The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 went into steep decline in the weeks following Christmas after peaking just before the holiday break.
WHO urges shorter COVID-19 isolation time
The World Health Organisation has recommended that people without COVID-19 symptoms be allowed to end their period of isolation after five days.
China reports huge rise in COVID-19 deaths
China has reported a massive jump in COVID-related deaths since its strict anti-virus regime was abandoned last month.
WHO urges plane travellers consider masks
The XBB.1.5 version of the Omicron coronavirus variant is on the rise in the United States and Europe, according to the World Health Organisation.
Division over China travel test rule
Travellers arriving from China are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test after restrictions came into effect.
Deaths from virus spike amid call for calm
Australia's weekly COVID-19 data shows cases falling in Victoria and NSW while deaths rise, but health experts say it's too early for major concern.
Minister defends COVID travel advice snub
Mark Butler says he is taking an abundance of caution in requiring travellers from China to record a negative COVID-19 test despite advice against the measure.
Chinese state media plays down COVID wave
China has rejected criticism of its COVID data and its state media has called other nation's new curbs on Chinese traveller's "discriminatory".