Combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine getting closer to reality
Pharmaceutical company Moderna is making significant progress on a combined vaccine for both COVID-19 and influenza.
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Coronavirus news updates
Coronavirus disease 'COVID-19' is a type of coronavirus that caused a global outbreak. The disease causes respiratory illness and symptoms include pneumonia and bronchitis. It can be caught from viral particles and be detected through cough, difficulties to breath and fever. These symptoms can appear as far as 14 days after exposure.
It was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China on 31 December 2019. Further investigations led WHO to declare a global health emergency on 30th of January 2020. Prime Minister Scott Morrison activated an emergency response plan on 27th February as it entered a pandemic phase. On 12 March 2020 WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
The outbreak has impacted significant aspects of everyday lives including travel, work, entertainment such as sporting events, concerts and festivals cancelled, education and school closures, economy, financial markets and fears of a recession.
See the site navigation above for important health and safety information to keep you and your family safe. Check this page for latest news updates and breaking headlines on the coronavirus 'COVID-19'. A historical timeline of events can be viewed on the WHO website.
Nobel Prize for pair who helped make COVID-19 jabs possible
Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
COVID 19
COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in Australia in 2022, data shows
This virus was the third leading cause of death in 2022 in a holistic overview, accounting for one in twenty deaths over the year.
COVID 19
COVID killed my dad and loneliness was its accomplice
The outcome of the pandemic should be a priority for this government, not just an inquiry, Mark Jessop writes.
COVID 19
Albanese under fire over glaring COVID-19 inquiry omission
The inquiry won't be able to investigate the lockdowns and border closures that had such an impact on millions of Australians.
COVID 19
'Highly mutated' COVID-19 variant detected in Australia
The first Australian case of a 'highly mutated' COVID-19 variant colloquially known as 'Pirola' has been detected in Western Australia.
COVID 19
Qantas chair under pressure after outsourcing of almost 1700 jobs found illegal
The carrier issued a rare apology after the High Court ruled against the airline.
Qantas
Nurse who tampered with COVID-19 vaccines guilty of misconduct
Despite being on leave from her job, Kylie Sharee Parmenter wore her NSW Health uniform to a vaccine appointment at a local chemist.
courts
Extra COVID-19 vaccine recommended for Australians 75 and older
Australia's health department has updated its COVID-19 vaccine advice.
COVID 19
Aussie state to drop COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health workers
The requirement was put in place in 2021, when the disease was running rampant.
health
'Mutant' new COVID-19 variant spotted in four countries
The new variant, nicknamed Pirola, has drawn the World Health Organisation's attention.
COVID 19
Scientists race to understand 'highly mutated' virus spreading globally
A highly mutated new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has multiple countries on alert
COVID 19
The latest COVID-19 strain spreading across the world
COVID-19 was first detected in late 2019, but in the nearly three years since, the disease has been through several different mutations.
COVID 19
Experts sound alarm over new COVID-19 variant
New strain Eris is now dominant in the UK and the US, but its impact on a relaxed Australia could be severe.
COVID 19
New COVID-19 variant spreads around the world including Australia
A new variant of COVID-19 has been detected around the world, with experts warning the virus is "circulating unchecked".
COVID 19
Even Zoom is making its staff return to the office
The company that powered the remote work revolution during the pandemic, is telling its employees to come back to the office.
business
Ruby Princess lawsuit headed to High Court
An appeal for compensation over a cruise holiday plagued by COVID-19 will be heard by Australia's highest court.
Ruby Princess
Victoria names new chief health officer after Sutton's departure
Dr Clare Looker will replace Sutton, who began the role in 2019 and led the state through the entire COVID-19 pandemic.
health
Jenni was an avid reader but now she can barely digest a page
The 62-year-old has experienced lingering fatigue, headaches and brain fog after her first case of COVID-19 over a year ago.
COVID 19
I've got the sniffles, how do I know what virus I actually have?
A bad flu season in Australia is being compounded by the spread of RSV and COVID-19 through the community.
health
Report into Queensland's $233m Wellcamp quarantine facility released
Queensland's independent auditor has delivered a critical assessment of the way the state government ordered the Wellcamp quarantine facility.
queensland
Aussies with insurance to share slice of $235 million
Some of Australia's major health insurers are passing on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of claims savings to customers.
Health Insurance
Victoria Police deny accusation of 'racial profiling' over COVID-19 fines
A new report suggests people of non-Anglo appearance were more likely to have received a COVID-19 fine.
Victoria
Declassified US intelligence report rejects some COVID-19 lab leak theories
American spy agencies remain divided over how the pandemic began.
COVID 19
Neil Mitchell: The Covid pandemic continues to bite
You won't like this but you need to read it, because it is a warning that touches your life.
health
'It nearly crushed me': Victorian CHO Brett Sutton resigns
Brett Sutton is leaving his position as the state's top health advisor after leading Victoria's health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Victoria
COVID-19 could cause 'brain cell fusion', study finds
COVID-19 could cause long-term damage to brain cells a study involving Australian researchers has found.
COVID 19
Australian economy growing at slowest rate since lockdowns ended
Gross domestic product rose by just 0.2 per cent in the March quarter, its smallest increase in nearly two years.
finance
Could this type of garlic help fight COVID-19?
A tiny farming town in regional Victoria has uncovered a type of garlic so potent that scientists have been able to use it to stop COVID-19 in its tracks.
Victoria
China warned to expect 65 million weekly coronavirus infections
Authorities are rolling out new vaccinations to meet a new wave of COVID-19 infections.
COVID 19
WHO boss warns of 'threat even deadlier' than COVID-19
'When the next pandemic comes knocking – and it will – we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively and equitably.'
COVID 19
Boris Johnson faces new probe over alleged COVID-19 breaches
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was fined for breaking his own government's pandemic lockdown rules, has been reported to police again over more potential breaches.
Boris Johnson
Economists criticise Victorian government for blaming debt on RBA
Victoria's budget is tipped to reveal a staggering bill to pay-off the state's multi-billion dollar COVID-19 lockdown debt when it is released tomorrow.
Victoria
Fifth wave of COVID-19 makes for 'triple health threat' impacting Australians
Workplaces, schools and homes are set to be impacted by a spike in coronavirus cases as well as influenza and other illnesses.
COVID 19
Is the grass greener on the other side of the Great Reshuffle?
Katrina walked away from her career of 13 years amid the soul-searching times of COVID-19. But would she do it again?
jobs
Students learning from home across NSW amid COVID-19 outbreaks
Almost a dozen schools across New South Wales reverted to pandemic-era learning from home this week amid multiple COVID-19 outbreaks.
COVID 19
Push for quarantine facility to turn into emergency housing
The 500-bed facility at Pinkenba near Brisbane was built for quarantine purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic but is now just sitting empty near Brisbane.
queensland
WHO downgrades COVID-19 pandemic, says it's no longer emergency
The WHO said even though the emergency phase was over, the pandemic hadn't come to an end.
COVID 19
Rapid antigen test for three viruses in one approved by TGA
The device will be able to pick up COVID-19, influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which is another contagious respiratory virus.
health
Quick sniff of feet could reveal if you have COVID, study claims
In a matter of seconds, sniffer dogs can accurately detect if someone is infected with the COVID-19 virus.
dogs
Long COVID research to get $50m funding boost as inquiry report released
The Federal Government has promised to provide an extra $50 million in funding towards research into long COVID.
Long COVID
Class action against Newmarch House just seeks 'accountability'
Nineteen people died at the Sydney nursing home during the coronavirus outbreak.
courts
Protesters fail in bid to overturn fines issued under COVID-19 restrictions
The NSW Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to fines issued to protesters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New South Wales
COVID-19 PCR testing sites to close in NSW
NSW Health minister Ryan Park said if people needed one they could get a referral from a GP and go to a pathology clinic.
Sydney
NSW COVID-19 fine cases under review following Supreme Court decision
Courts cases involving COVID-19-related fines in NSW are under review following the publication of a Supreme Court decision.
Sydney
US health experts call for end to COVID-19 mask mandate for hospitals
A group of health experts from a number of US institutions have called for an end to mask mandates in healthcare settings.
COVID 19
Man receives COVID-19 relief money two years later
He thought he was being scammed when Centrelink called him out of the blue.
CentrelinkNew study suggests long COVID is similar to the flu for those vaccinated
A new study has suggested that long COVID may be no worse than the flu - if you're up to date with your vaccinations.
COVID 19
Is Australia facing another COVID-19 winter wave?
Australia is currently experiencing the longest break between infection peaks since Omicron arrived in late 2021 and community-wide transmission took off.
COVID 19
Murphy, chief medical officer through COVID-19 pandemic, to retire
Brendan Murphy, who Australians saw on their televisions every day during the COVID-19 lockdowns, has retired from his position as Secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care.
national
