Get up to speed on the latest coronavirus news in the one place.
Look back at how Wednesday's COVID news unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
- ACT booster interval brought forward three months
- International arrivals who are already in quarantine will be free to leave at 1:00am on Saturday
- NT records 418 cases
- Claims of RAT hoarding in NSW and Victoria a 'massive kick in the guts to South Australia' if proven true
- South Australia to bring forward booster eligibility to three months
- ACT records 1,467 new cases
- Queensland's COVID deaths include an unvaccinated person in their 30s
- From 1:00am on Saturday, fully vaccinated international travellers will not have to quarantine in Queensland
- Victoria reduces booster eligibility to three months
- PM announces rebate of visa fees for international students and backpackers
- NSW brings forward booster eligibility to 3 months
- Victoria records 18 deaths, 20,769 new cases
- NSW records 32 deaths, 32,297 new cases
Live updates
By Jacqueline Howard
Cases, hospitalisations and deaths
If you don't see your state or territory yet, don't worry - these numbers are updated throughout the day.
NSW: 32 deaths and 32,297 cases; 2,863 people in hospital, including 217 in ICUs. Watch the press conference here.
Victoria: 18 deaths and 20,769 cases; 1,173 people in hospital, including 125 in ICUs. Watch the press conference here.
Tasmania: 1,185 new cases. 29 people in hospitals, including two in ICUs
Queensland: 11 deaths and 19,932 cases; 835 people in hospitals, including 52 in ICUs. Watch the press conference here.
ACT: 1,467 new cases. 60 people in hospitals, including five in ICUs
SA: 3 deaths and 3,482 cases; 294 people in hospital, including 23 in ICUs. Watch the press conference here
NT: 418 cases; 48 people in hospital. Watch the press conference here
WA: 2 cases. Watch the press conference here
By Nicholas McElroy
That's all from the blog today
Thanks for following along. We'll be back with more COVID updates tomorrow.
By Nicholas McElroy
Parents reject RAT suggestion for students returning to the classroom
New South Wales parents are expressing concern after learning students might have to take regular rapid antigen tests under the state government's back-to-school plan.
The official plan will be released on Thursday after national cabinet, but there are media reports that the NSW government wants students to return two negative tests a week.
Newcastle's Simonne Pengelly is resigned to the fact that she's living with a new normal but is also concerned about what the new school year will mean for her family.
By Nicholas McElroy
Data showing 100 per cent vax rate not 100 per cent accurate, health district admits
By Melinda Hayter
A New South Wales health service has conceded that data showing a 100 per cent vaccination rate does not mean the region's population is completely immunised against COVID.
This week the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), which covers a 125,000-square-kilometre area of south-western NSW, reported that 100 per cent of the region's population aged 16 and older had received one COVID vaccination.
But chief executive Jill Ludford says that figure is incorrect.
"The data is responding to a number of databases and I think it would now be safer to say over 95 per cent of people," she said.
Ms Ludford said the data was collated by drawing on information several resources, including the Australian Immunisation Register, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the NSW Department of Planning.
"On any one day those population projections are not going to be exactly equal to the number of people on the ground," she said.
A table showing vaccination data for a region in NSW.
Data released by the MLHD shows a 100 per cent vaccination rate for those aged 16 and older.(Supplied: MLHD)
NSW Opposition health spokesman Ryan Park said politicians and officials needed to make that point clear when speaking about vaccination data.
"We cannot give people a false sense of security that this virus can't pop up in a community," he said.
By Nicholas McElroy
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka backs COVID-19 vaccine mandate in tennis
By Luke Pentony at Melbourne Park
Victoria Azarenka says she would support the WTA Tour if it was to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The issue of player vaccination remains firmly in the spotlight after Novak Djokovic's deportation from Australia.
So far, vaccine mandates have not yet been issued by the WTA and ATP Tours, and the International Tennis Federation, but Azarenka said she believed it was an important step to take.
"From my standpoint, it's been very clear. I believe in science. I believe in getting vaccinated. That's what I did for myself," said Azarenka, who is a member of the WTA players' council.
"I don't want to push my beliefs on everybody else, however, we are playing a global sport, travelling around the world.
"As an entity, as an association of WTA that is travelling globally, we still have to respect countries, different countries, different mandates, different legalities of the country.
"Some countries will not allow mandates. I think to impose something legally on the WTA Tour can be a challenge. I think that's something that we are facing."
By Bridget Judd
Still can't find chicken in your supermarket? Here's why
Chicken will remain off the menu for many families in the coming weeks as a national shortage shows no signs of easing.
With supply chains under strain due to COVID, the Australian Chicken Meat Federation predicts breast fillets, drumsticks and chicken wings will remain hard to find for at least the remainder of the month.
And despite earlier assurances that whole chickens would remain available at major supermarkets, empty shelves in the poultry section prove otherwise.
The federation's chief executive Vivian Kite says there are "ongoing and quite significant chicken supply issues".
"We are hearing that any shortages of whole chickens are short term," Dr Kite says.
"With other products becoming less available people are moving to purchasing whole chickens and that's leading to shortages in stores."
By Bridget Judd
Victoria Azarenka backs COVID-19 vaccine mandate in tennis
The two-time Australian Open champion says she would support the WTA Tour if it was to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The issue of player vaccination remains firmly in the spotlight after Novak Djokovic's deportation from Australia.
So far, vaccine mandates have not yet been issued by the WTA and ATP Tours, and the International Tennis Federation, but Azarenka says she believes it's an important step to take.
"From my standpoint, it's been very clear. I believe in science. I believe in getting vaccinated. That's what I did for myself," says Azarenka, who is a member of the WTA players' council.
"I don't want to push my beliefs on everybody else, however, we are playing a global sport, travelling around the world.
"As an entity, as an association of WTA that is travelling globally, we still have to respect countries, different countries, different mandates, different legalities of the country.
"Some countries will not allow mandates. I think to impose something legally on the WTA Tour can be a challenge. I think that's something that we are facing."
By Bridget Judd
High risk and household contacts in the ACT no longer require further tests after day 6
However, if you have COVID symptoms, you're asked to continue testing.
By Bridget Judd
When to call triple-0 or go to hospital for severe COVID symptoms
Hospitals in the eastern states have been inundated with people with mild COVID-19 symptoms who do not need urgent medical attention.
But if your symptoms get worse very suddenly or you have severe symptoms, call triple-0 or go straight to hospital.
Severe symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Increasing shortness of breath
- Difficulty finishing sentences due to breathlessness
- Chest pain or pressure that lasts more than 10 minutes
- Coughing up blood
- Severe dizziness
- Severe drowsiness or confusion
- Being unable to stand
By Bridget Judd
Health authorities in WA monitoring two COVID-infected ships off the state's coast
One is expected to berth this afternoon.
The British Chief, a tanker off the coast of Port Hedland, has reported seven positive cases among crew members from rapid antigen tests.
Bulk carrier MV La Stella has arrived in Bunbury and is expected to dock this afternoon, with four positive crew onboard.
WA Health says all positive crew members are isolating in their cabins and are being monitored safely.
By Bridget Judd
Queensland is about to change its COVID-19 rules for international arrivals. Here's what you need to know
It is taking a while to get across the line, but Queensland will soon achieve a double-dose COVID vaccination rate of 90 per cent for people aged 16 and over.
With that milestone in sight, rules are easing for international travellers from 1am this Saturday, January 22.
If you are fully vaccinated:
There are no restrictions on entry to Queensland and no quarantine is required.
But you will need to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of arriving.
If you are not fully vaccinated:
You will need to meet the relevant requirements for entry and will be required to undertake a period of quarantine.
And a few conditions will apply, including the requirement to take a RAT within 24 hours of arriving.
If you cannot meet the Queensland Health home quarantine criteria, you will be required to undertake an equivalent period of quarantine in a government-nominated facility.
International arrivals who are already in quarantine will be free to leave at 1am on Saturday.
All the details are on the Queensland Health website.
By Bridget Judd
Victoria to run four-day vaccination blitz from Friday
State-run centres will be open for additional hours and people can walk in without an appointment.
The Health Department's Naomi Bromley says pharmacists and GPs have also received funding to allow them to stay open longer to provide vaccinations.
"This immunity does fade over time, and so the third dose isn't really a nice to have, it's a need to have if you want to be as protected as possible as we head into the new year."
By Bridget Judd
Could the isolation period for COVID-positive cases be cut to five days?
A positive COVID-19 test currently means at least seven days indoors (and probably at least a few of those days in bed).
But with cases continuing to climb in much of the country, and workforce shortages causing problems in a number of sectors, more changes to isolation rules are being considered.
One of those measures is further cutting the mandatory isolation period for people with COVID-19, possibly as low as five days.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the medical advice is not there yet.
But he's foreshadowed if that changes, and the nation's health authorities say it is safe, it is a step that is likely to be taken.
"We're going to take medical advice on that, and I know the Chief Medical Officer has many sleepless nights over this one because we ask him about it regularly," he said.
"He is constantly talking to his colleagues overseas, places like Israel, the UK and many other places, to understand what the experience there is.
"And so if he's in a position to tell me that we can make a change like that, then of course that would be something that we would proceed with."
By Bridget Judd
AMA's WA branch calls for COVID transparency ahead of border reopening
The Australian Medical Association's WA branch has called for increased transparency from the state government about COVID-19 decision making.
It comes amid concerns about how WA will cope with the anticipated surge of cases when state borders open.
AMA WA President Mark Duncan-Smith says the state government needs to provide more detail on their approach.
"The people of West Australia have a right to know upon the basis of the decisions that are being made, and reassurance that the best medical advice that the Premier has relied on for so long, that he is actually continuing to follow it."
By Bridget Judd
Freight companies to start charging levy to cover costs of pandemic staff shortages
Australia's largest freight companies are starting to charge customers a levy to cover the rising cost of pandemic-related staff shortages.
Paul Zalai (from the Freight and Trade Alliance says the fee is being used primarily in the road transport sector, with around $20 to $30 charged per container.
But he says more companies will likely start to introduce levies in the coming weeks.
"We've even seen one of the major stevedore's in Melbourne introduce a fee of another few dollars per container," he says.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we see more of the transport sector implementing this fee. We're not advocating for such a charge but you can understand it."
By Bridget Judd
Recapping the WA COVID update
If you weren't following along, here's what you missed:
- WA has reported two new local cases and three interstate cases (in quarantine)
- Of the two local cases, one was in quarantine and one spent some time in the community
- Authorities have released a number of new exposure sites (you can find those here)
- There are now 82 active cases across the state. The Health Minister says the outlook is "more positive" than on the weekend
By Bridget Judd
'Any modelling on Omicron is preliminary'
The Health Minister was asked about modelling around Omicron, and when it could be released.
Ms Sanderson says any modelling is preliminary, because there isn't the "full data set to enable us to make those clear assumptions that you need to with modelling".
"We need more time for Omicron to essentially be present before we can determine the death rate, for example," she says.
"So essentially, we're not going to be relying on modelling as such to be making these decisions at this point."
By Bridget Judd
New exposure sites in WA
They include Hit Studio Karaoke Box in Northbridge, Campbells Wholesale Store in Canning Vale, IGA Canning Bridge in Applecross and New U Massage in Mount Lawley.
| Exposure date & time | Suburb | Location | Date updated | Health advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 14/01/2022 at 8:00pm - | Northbridge | Hit studio Karaoke Box | 19/01/2022 | Get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days from the date of last exposure, unless directly advised otherwise by the Department of Health. If you have not been contacted by the Department of Health phone 13 COVID (13 26843). |
| Friday 14/01/2022 at 12:30pm to 1:30pm | Canning Vale | Campbells Wholesale Store, | 19/01/2022 | Monitor for symptoms unless directly advised otherwise by the Department of Health. If symptoms develop, get tested and isolate. |
| Thursday 13/01/2022 at 8:15pm to 8:45pm | Applecross | IGA Canning Bridge, | 19/01/2022 | Monitor for symptoms unless directly advised otherwise by the Department of Health. If symptoms develop, get tested and isolate. |
| Wednesday 12/01/2022 at 10:40am - 8:20pm | Mount Lawley | New U Massage | 19/01/2022 | Get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days from the date of last exposure, unless directly advised otherwise by the Department of Health. If you have not been contacted by the Department of Health phone 13 COVID (13 26843). |
By Bridget Judd
UPDATE: SA records three deaths
The SA government says "following further clarification this afternoon" SA Health has revised the total number of deaths from this reporting period to three.
They are a man in his 70s, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s.
Earlier, authorities said six people had died in SA.
By Bridget Judd
WA to run vaccination 'kids blitz' ahead of return to school
From Saturday, January 22 and Sunday, January 30, an addition 4,700 COVID-19 vaccination appointments will be available at state run clinics for kids aged 5 to 11.
"This takes the total kids appointments to more than 11,400 spots during that time," Ms Sanderson says.
"[There are] more than 6,000 spots available across regional WA."
