As it happened:National cabinet rules out universal free access to rapid antigen tests;COVID cases continue to grow across NSW,Victoria and Qld;Djokovic confirmed for Australian Open
National News Live

As it happened:National cabinet rules out universal free access to rapid antigen tests;COVID cases continue to grow across NSW,Victoria and Qld;Djokovic confirmed for Australian Open

Concession cardholders will receive 10 rapid antigen tests,but universal free access has been ruled out,while tennis star Novak Djokovic has been granted a medical exemption to enter Australia despite not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

  • byBroede Carmody andSarah McPhee

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As it happened:Hopes rapid test shortage will soon ease as NSW records 23,131 cases of COVID-19,two deaths;Victoria reports 14,020 cases,two deaths
National News Live

As it happened:Hopes rapid test shortage will soon ease as NSW records 23,131 cases of COVID-19,two deaths;Victoria reports 14,020 cases,two deaths

Melbourne and Sydney’s emergency departments are under pressure from COVID-19,pharmacists expect the availability of rapid antigen tests to increase in the coming weeks and almost 40 per cent of eligible Australians are yet to receive their booster shot.

  • byBroede Carmody andSarah McPhee
As it happened:Rapid antigen tests,QR codes,aged care staff in spotlight as NSW records 20,794 cases of COVID-19,Victoria records 8577 cases;Australian Open on track
National News Live

As it happened:Rapid antigen tests,QR codes,aged care staff in spotlight as NSW records 20,794 cases of COVID-19,Victoria records 8577 cases;Australian Open on track

The Australian Open is on track despite warnings of a super-spreader event in Melbourne,NSW is keeping QR codes in place for the time being and changes to close-contact rules for aged care staff could soon be implemented amid worries of a staffing ‘crisis’.

  • byBroede Carmody andGeorgina Mitchell
Increase in intensive care cases inevitable and imminent,says Qld’s CHO
Coronavirus pandemic

Increase in intensive care cases inevitable and imminent,says Qld’s CHO

Dr John Gerrard says “we must not underplay how severe this disease can be” as he warns that more people will need intensive care in the next 24 hours.

  • byTony Moore
Masks are again mandatory indoors in Queensland as cases accelerate
Coronavirus pandemic

Masks are again mandatory indoors in Queensland as cases accelerate

As of 1am on Sunday,masks must again be worn indoors in Queensland as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to soar across the state.

  • byTony Moore
New Year’s Eve LIVE:Celebrations kick-off after NSW records 21,151 cases of COVID-19;more than 5000 cases in Victoria
New Year

New Year’s Eve LIVE:Celebrations kick-off after NSW records 21,151 cases of COVID-19;more than 5000 cases in Victoria

Sydney is preparing for its annual fireworks display,Melburnians are being told to avoid the CBD unless they have NYE tickets or a restaurant booking,and the country’s east coast has recorded more than 30,000 coronavirus cases.

  • byBroede Carmody
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Fears for hospital system as cases rise and staff availability falls
National

Fears for hospital system as cases rise and staff availability falls

Victoria’s healthcare system faces a staffing crisis at a critical time when hundreds of staff are in isolation and COVID-19 hospitalisations are on the rise.

  • byMelissa Cunningham
Australia news LIVE:QR codes,masks back in NSW as state records 5715 new COVID cases;Victoria extends indoor mask mandate as daily infections rise above 2000
National News Live

Australia news LIVE:QR codes,masks back in NSW as state records 5715 new COVID cases;Victoria extends indoor mask mandate as daily infections rise above 2000

NSW continues to resist mask mandates in most indoor settings as coronavirus infections hit record highs,but will reintroduce QR codes in retail and hospitality settings. Meanwhile,Victoria is expected to outline changes to mask rules today.

  • byMichaela Whitbourn
Australia news LIVE:Doherty modelling predicts health system strain if COVID-19 restrictions not reimplemented to combat growing Omicron case surge
National News Live

Australia news LIVE:Doherty modelling predicts health system strain if COVID-19 restrictions not reimplemented to combat growing Omicron case surge

The Prime Minister will meet with state and territory leaders today as health experts call for a national approach to tackling the Omicron coronavirus variant. Meanwhile,NSW and Victoria are pushing for a shorter interval between the second dose of a coronavirus vaccine and booster shots.

  • byMichaela Whitbourn
Australia news LIVE:NSW records 3057 new local COVID-19 cases,two deaths;Victoria records 1245 new cases,six deaths;Premiers push for shorter interval before booster shots
National News Live

Australia news LIVE:NSW records 3057 new local COVID-19 cases,two deaths;Victoria records 1245 new cases,six deaths;Premiers push for shorter interval before booster shots

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation will consider whether three doses of a coronavirus vaccine are required to be fully vaccinated,as the Chief Medical Officer and his state and territory counterparts push for masks in all indoor settings.

  • byMichaela Whitbourn
Australia news LIVE:NSW records 2501 new local COVID-19 cases;Victoria records 1302 new cases as health experts urge rethink on masks;NT border reopens for vaccinated travellers
National News Live

Australia news LIVE:NSW records 2501 new local COVID-19 cases;Victoria records 1302 new cases as health experts urge rethink on masks;NT border reopens for vaccinated travellers

Infectious diseases experts have urged Australia to reintroduce masks in indoor settings,as the Omicron coronavirus variant spreads across the globe. Meanwhile,NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has unveiled his new cabinet.

  • byMichaela Whitbourn