COVID-19 health toll exposed in new report
A biennial report into Australia's overall health has laid bare the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on death rates, mental health and vulnerable communities.
virus diseases
Qld hospitals may halt elective surgeries
Elective surgeries may be suspended again in Queensland as the number of active COVID-19 cases in the state nears 40,000.
COVID boosters a matter of urgency: PM
State and territory health experts are considering whether to expand the availability of fourth vaccine doses as concerns rise over COVID-19 subvariants.
Qld urged to prepare for third virus wave
Queensland authorities are urging people to prepare for a third COVID-19 wave saying "it's very likely that either you or someone you know" will be infected.
Experts consider fourth COVID-19 vaccine
States and territories are considering reintroducing face mask mandates as experts eye expanding eligibility for a fourth dose COVID vaccination.
NSW warned third COVID-19 peak on its way
NSW Health expects COVID-19 cases will peak in late July and early August at levels similar to January, when Omicron cases were surging.
Charges over fatal COVID aged care cluster
WorkSafe Victoria has charged St Basil's Homes for the Aged with nine breaches of occupational health and safety law over its COVID-19 management.
Calls to lower age limits for fourth doses
As Australia exceeds the 10,000 COVID-19 deaths mark, an infectious diseases expert has called for the fourth dose age limit to be lowered from 65 to 50.
Health ministers meet as COVID cases rise
Health Minister Mark Butler says the government cannot continue to fund COVID-19 payments and urged people to get their boosters as soon as possible.
Australia nears 10,000 COVID-19 deaths
The country will likely reach the grim milestone on Sunday amid renewed calls for vaccine boosters and possible mask mandates.
Australian virus border restrictions end
Australia's pandemic death toll has tipped past the grim milestone of 10,000 fatalities, as the country prepares to lift all border restrictions.
Emergency payments end before COVID surge
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says the government can't continue to fund COVID-19 payments and urged people to get their boosters as soon as possible.
Virus vaccine contract review ordered
An urgent review of Australia's pharmaceutical contracts to help the nation best respond to new COVID variants has been ordered by the federal government.
TGA paves way for under-fives vaccine
The TGA has given approval for Pfizer to submit an application for extending the use of its COVID-19 vaccine to children under five years of age.
Push for students to keep vaccinating
Victorian pharmacy students and interns have been an asset through the pandemic and there are calls to allow them to keep bolstering the vaccination workforce.
Booster gives 65pc protection from death
An Australian study of COVID-19 vaccines has found people who have had a booster shot are far less likely to die or be hospitalised with the Omicron variant.
Warning as vaccine, mask rules ease
Australia's top doctors are urging the sick to stay home, even if they test negative, to prevent more than just the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Flu and COVID ‘double whammy’ on hospitals
Rising cases of COVID-19 and the flu are putting strain on the nation's hospitals as winter sets in, Australia's chief medical officer says.
COVID-19 reinfection drives booster calls
New COVID-19 variants have led to rising case numbers and hospitalisations from the virus, prompting fresh warnings from experts.
Qld to dump most virus vaccine mandates
Queensland will scrap COVID-19 vaccine mandates for workers in schools, prisons and airports and for visitors to aged and disability care facilities.
Have COVID plan before positive test: CMO
Australia's chief medical officer has urged Australians at risk of severe disease from COVID-19 to have a treatment plan in case they test positive.
Asia, Middle East, Europe virus cases rise
The World Health Organisation says the number of global coronavirus-linked deaths has dropped by 16 per cent in the past week.
New campaign to target booster uptake
The federal government will roll out a fresh $11 million advertising blitz in an effort to increase Australia's COVID-19 booster rate.
Australia joins pandemic preparedness fund
The Albanese government will provide money for a new global fund designed to help prevent future pandemics.
Opposition calls for flight mask scrapping
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia should end the requirement for all passengers on inbound international flights to wear a mask.
Minister urges aged care booster rate rise
Health Minister Mark Butler says he wants to see the fourth dose rate for COVID vaccines in aged care facilities increase.
Virus fight continues as funding extended
The prime minister and state and territory leaders have agreed on an extension of funding as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the health system.
Virus toll climbs by 106 over weekend
More than 100 COVID-19 deaths have been reported across Australia over the past two days, along with more than 47,000 new infections.
Omicron wave cases double reported: study
Blood samples indicate almost one in five Australian adults recently had COVID-19 after the peak of the Omicron wave.
‘No argument’ to keep some vax mandates
Australian epidemiologists have told an inquiry it is unclear why Victoria's double-dose COVID-19 vaccine mandates remain in some settings.
Predicted 15,000 COVID deaths ‘too high’
An infectious diseases expert says more can be done to curb the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths across Australia.