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HealthBorder backflip leaves WA further isolated

Premier Mark McGowan's extraordinary decision to indefinitely delay reopening Western Australia's borders has been panned as a failure of leadership.

Michael Ramsey

HealthOmicron sends childcare centres scrambling

Hundreds of childcare centres have temporarily shut their doors due to the virus, and there are calls for more financial support to avoid permanent closures.

Hannah Ryan

HealthSA to reveal COVID-19 rules for schools

The South Australian government is set to release its full plan for the return of schools next month amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Tim Dornin

‘We are not ready’CommentsPremiumFiona Stanley COVID-19 workers ‘not issued N95 masks’: Union

The health workers who dealt with a COVID-19 infected patient at Fiona Stanley Hospital were not issued with N95 masks, WA’s nursing union claims, while urging the Government to delay the border opening.

Charlotte Elton

HealthNT remote COVID clusters grow, 459 cases

The Northern Territory has recorded 459 new COVID-19 cases as the virus continues to spread through remote Indigenous communities.

Aaron Bunch

HealthWA shelves COVID-19 border reopening plan

Western Australia's hard borders will remain in place indefinitely after Premier Mark McGowan backflipped on plans to implement a COVID-19 transition plan.

Michael Ramsey

‘Getting balance right’CommentsCOVID-19 isolation period to stay at seven days: PM

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says there will be no change to the COVID-19 isolation rules, after meeting with State and Territory leaders on Thursday. 

Kimberley Caines

Latest updateCommentsMystery surrounds one of five new WA COVID cases

One of WA’s new virus cases includes a person who has no known links to either the Omicron-driven Cockburn cluster or the Delta cluster associated with a French backpacker.

Josh Zimmerman

HealthACT case numbers drop, 892 new infections

The number of new COVID cases in the ACT has nearly halved in just one day, while hospital figures are up.

Andrew Brown

HealthEleven virus deaths in SA as cases rise

South Australia has reported another 11 deaths among people with COVID-19 and 3777 infections.

Tim Dornin

Jab boostNovavax COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia

Australia's medicines regulator has approved the use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, which is given in two doses 21 days apart.

Paul Osborne

HealthPatients rejoice at Victorian IVF restart

Prospective parents will be able to resume IVF in Victoria after the state government received advice that restrictions on procedures can be removed.

Benita Kolovos and Callum Godde

Big plansPremiumMulti-million dollar medi-hotel complex planned for Perth

A developer wants to build a $9.5 million complex capable of functioning as a medi-hotel - just a hop, skip and a jump away from another major medical hub.

Victoria Rifici

HealthTwo new cases, hospital staff iso in WA

Western Australia has two new local COVID-19 cases, including a man who presented at an emergency department while infected.

Michael Ramsey

HealthPressure mounts on Vic to reverse IVF halt

Would-be parents, IVF clinics and the federal government have heaped more pressure on the Victorian government to reverse a ban on some reproductive services.

Callum Godde

HealthReports of diverted RAT shipments rile SA

South Australia has asked the consumer and competition watchdog to investigate reports some rapid antigen tests bound for SA have been diverted to other states.

Tim Dornin

Dirty ratsPremiumWA consumers warned of surge in RAT scams

Rapid antigen test scams, price gouging and ‘bogus’ COVID-19 treatments — West Aussies have been warned of a range of murky opportunistic online sales tactics ahead of the border reopening.

Caitlyn Rintoul

HealthWA reopening 'perfect storm' for homeless

Western Australia's looming border reopening is set to place more pressure on homeless service providers and community organisations.

Michael Ramsey

‘Much more contagious’CommentsPremiumScott Morrison admits Omicron variant blindsided Australia

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has opened up about Australia’s struggles with COVID-19, saying the Omicron variant blindsided the country by how contagious it would be. 

Kimberley Caines

Coronavirus (COVID-19)Call for military help on NT outbreaks

Peak Northern Territory Indigenous organisations are calling for federal government and defence help to battle COVID-19 outbreaks in remote communities.

Aaron Bunch

AMA’s alarming warning on ‘ticking timebomb’ of sugary drinksCommentsSugary drinks campaign launches to point out health risks

The Australian Medical Association says Aussies drink at least 2.4 billion litres of sugar-laden beverages every year - and the health impact of this #SicklySweet habit is going to be huge.

Kimberley Caines

HealthNSW opens booster door to 1.8m more adults

Millions of residents in NSW became eligible for boosters of the COVID-19 vaccine after the government slashed the time between doses.

Luke Costin and Phoebe Loomes

Ambulance ‘disaster’CommentsPremiumSt John WA slammed for lack of preparation ahead of Feb 5

St John WA has been accused of ‘sleepwalking into a disaster’ by the union representing paramedics — warning some country towns could be left without ambulance services when the expected wave of cases hits. 

Josh Zimmerman

No fun CommentsCity to Surf fun-run cancelled for third consecutive year

The City to Surf Fun Run is the latest event to be cancelled amidst uncertainty over how WA will cope with the Omicron variant of COVID-19. 

Charlotte Elton