Get up to speed on all the coronavirus news from across Australia.
Look back on all of Sunday's updates as they happened in our live blog.
Key events
- No deaths, 190 hospitalisations in South Australia
- The NT's COVID-19 death toll rises to 15 with the death of a Tennant Creek woman
- WA records 229 new cases - 222 local and 7 travel-related
- WA declares outbreak in remote Aboriginal community of Jameson
- ACT records 0 deaths, 35 hospitalisations
- Two deaths and 386 hospitalisations in Queensland
- Tasmania reports nine in hospital, 555 new cases
- NSW records 21 deaths, 1,280 cases in hospital
- Victoria records nine deaths, 358 hospitalisations
- Scott Morrison: Australia is ready to welcome tourists tomorrow
- No more twice-weekly RATs for NSW students
Live updates
By Caitlyn Davey
Cases, hospitalisations and deaths
For a detailed breakdown of cases across the country, check out Charting the Spread.
This post will be updated throughout the day as numbers are announced, so if your state or territory is not mentioned, check back later.
NSW: 21 deaths, 1,280 hospitalisations, 77 of which are in ICU and 5,582 new cases.
VIC: Nine deaths, 358 hospitalisations, 51 of which are in ICU and 4,867 new cases.
TAS: No deaths, nine hospitalisations, two of which are in ICU and 555 new cases.
ACT: No deaths, 35 hospitalisations, one of which is in ICU and 560 new cases.
QLD: Two deaths, 386 hospitalisations, 38 of which are in ICU and 4,265 new cases.
WA: Zero deaths, two hospitalisations, none of which are in ICU and 222 new cases.
NT: One death, 127 hospitalisations, two of which are in ICU and 546 new cases.
SA: No deaths, 190 hospitalisations, 13 of which are in ICU and 1,118 new cases.
By Caitlyn Davey
That's all but we'll be back
Tomorrow, same time, same place.
Here's where you can keep up to date with more COVID news.
Have a great night everyone.
By Caitlyn Davey
No deaths, 190 hospitalisations in South Australia
South Australia has reported 1,118 new cases of COVID-19 – down from yesterday’s total of 1,336.
There are 190 people in hospital, up eight from yesterday, and 13 people are in ICU.
SA Health has not reported any deaths.
There were 7,782 PCR tests and there are 13,189 active cases.
By Caitlyn Davey
More protests in Surrey in Canada
By Caitlyn Davey
More comments on finding what works for you with restrictions
We've been sharing a lot of people's perspectives about restrictions as some are happy they're being relaxed in some states while others are concerned for vulnerable communities.
Here's a few more insights.
In response to all the different ways people are living:
I, too, have a medical condition. I refuse to be scared and hide! I go out to work, do my own shopping, go out for dinners with friends, visit friends and relatives etc. I'm even going to a wedding next weekend.
I REFUSE TO LET COVID RULE MY LIFE OR DESTROY MY MENTAL HEALTH.
So far, covid free. Whatever will be, will be. And that's just fine.
-V
I prefer to be a hermit than dead. So back to the cave for me.
-Brisbane John
I feel that there should be government recommendations/mandates for indoor environments. It seems so inconsistent depending where you go... I feel very safe going to my doctors office where they have 2 air purifiers in the wait room, open windows and receptionists wear N95 masks and face shields... but I feel quite unsafe taking my grandma to her doctor’s (in a Covid “hot spot”) where the receptionists don’t wear masks correctly and there are no other measures in place. Do we need to ramp up education so people and understand how Covid actually spreads? And perhaps government incentives for items such as air purifiers and CO2 monitors.
-Staying safe
To give a different angle on getting back to normal: most of the sociable events I use to go to are now either closed, finalised, no longer running or now online. There’s little for me to ‘return’ to.
-Coffee Maker
By Caitlyn Davey
No COVID cases at Winter Olympics say organisers
The Beijing 2022 Olympics organisers said on Sunday that no new COVID-19 cases were detected among Games-related personnel yesterday. It comes as the Games comes to a close this evening.
By Caitlyn Davey
The NT's COVID-19 death toll rises to 15 with the death of a Tennant Creek woman
A woman in her 70s has died with COVID-19, bringing the Northern Territory's coronavirus death toll to 15.
In a statement, NT Health said the woman was from Tennant Creek, had underlying health conditions and passed away at the Tennant Creek Hospital.
In total, 546 new COVID-19 cases have been announced in the NT today, of which 491 came from positive rapid antigen tests (RATs).
There were 342 cases recorded in the Top End region, 58 in Central Australia, 46 in East Arnhem, 12 in the Big Rivers region, 23 in the Barkly region and 65 are under investigation.
There are currently 127 patients in hospital with 16 requiring oxygen, down from 18 yesterday, and two patients in the intensive care unit.
There are 6,308 known active cases in the NT.
By Caitlyn Davey
What you need to know once you've recovered from COVID-19
For two years, we've been hearing about symptoms, testing and quarantine protocol, but what about after you've had the virus?
People who've already had COVID-19 once can be vaccinated as soon as they've recovered from their acute illness — or they can defer vaccination up to six months after the onset of their infection.
As usual, anyone who has clinical questions, particular risk factors or employment requirements should talk to an appropriate medical or health practitioner.
By Caitlyn Davey
Before the end of the blog
Hi blog team. In planning for the inevitable before you stop this blog, rather then what happened last time( radio silence, no warning), would you please do a best bits final day? Some ideas may be natty’s messages, the north face/suit jacket, the blind date couple from the Gold Coast, 100 days of Dan celebration. It would be good to reminisce with the other Covid blog family members.
-Sydney sider
A great idea I'll put to the powers that be. Just be warned though, the last few times we've thought COVID news was over and wrapped the blog, there's been BIG outcomes happen quickly after, bringing us back so I think we're a bit hesitant to end it really, feels like tempting fate.
By Caitlyn Davey
By Caitlyn Davey
WA records 229 new cases - 222 local and 7 travel-related
There are two people in hospital and none in ICU.
The total number of active cases in the state is 1,044.
By Caitlyn Davey
Not all masks are equal
My daughter is a nurse and tells me that not all "surgical" masks are created equal. The blue masks that the average person buys at the chemist protect other people more than the person wearing them. Masks provided to hospital staff are a better quality and deter germ transfer both ways through the mask, protecting the wearer more.
So, for we vulnerable people, choosing to wear a mask may be helping those around us more than it is helping ourselves.
And standing in front of someone is safer than beside them, because masks are designed to allow exhaled air to escape from the sides.
-Masquerade ball
Hi MB - you're correct. Here's a story we wrote about this topic and how the air escapes.
And here's a story on how to be sure you're minimising wastage of masks.
By Caitlyn Davey
NSW tourism operators call for consistency on interstate regulations
Tourism operators in New South Wales are calling for consistency between the states, as Australia re-opens its international borders.
From tomorrow, overseas travellers who are double-vaccinated against COVID will be welcomed back without having to quarantine.
John O'Sullivan, the CEO of an adventure tourism company, says the rules need to be the same across board. He said: "One of the things I think we've got to get right as a nation though is just what are going to be the travel rules in between the different states and territories? For an international visitor, the more friction or hoops they have to jump through, the less inclined they are to travel."
By Caitlyn Davey
By Caitlyn Davey
Back to you in the audience
I think Charlie's ideas need to be given serious consideration - what a positive contribution!
Vive les idees magnifiques!
-Jacob
To add to Charlie’s so-called “kooky ideas”: No-one to be allowed outside their home without wearing self contained breathing apparatus (like scuba gear but without the “underwater”) for a period of say 60 days. Could eliminate coronavirus, influenza and pretty much every other respiratory virus. And it would be relatively easier to spot and apprehend offenders. Bit expensive though compared to paper masks. Carry your own personal air, people!
-Sudo Nim
I agree with brisbanite no stores for me either can successfully shop local for a few bits and pieces like chemist, butcher and online for main line stuff, so all good.
-Sue
As hubby & I both have medical issues. We won’t be going dancing, to a theatre or cinema any time soon & certainly restricted our outings in January due to omicron.
We have done things since though. We found a quiet outdoor Indian restaurant to have lunch on Valentines weekend & a quiet outdoor bar for a afterwards instead of going out in the evening when it’s busy ❤️❤️❤️ It takes thought & planning but it can be done!! Be kind we’ve got to look out for each other !!!
-It can be done
In regards to NSW stopping the RAT testing twice a week - but acknowledging that they were important in getting the kids back into class - I’d say they are important in keeping kids in class too! The earlier someone is isolated the less time they have spent potentially infecting other students, so more people will be in class. Food for thought?
-Teacher life!
By Caitlyn Davey
Tributes flow for Bowral teacher Michelle Hayes in wake of death from COVID-19
Michelle Hayes, 46, taught at Bowral Public School in the state's Southern Highlands after a recent move from Norfolk Island.
In a post on Facebook, her husband Ben confirmed she died on Wednesday.
"It is with such a broken heart that I'm letting you all know that Michelle passed away this morning after testing positive to COVID on Monday," Mr Hayes wrote.
"The best part of me is gone.
"Now I have to be the dad and the mum – and I will never come close to being anywhere near as fabulous as she was," he said.
Mr Hayes said he was not able to see anybody as he and his two children remain in isolation.
"Please don't call yet … I can't cry anymore … I've never known such limitless sorrow," he said.
The post attracted hundreds of comments including an outpouring of support for the family and the much-loved teacher.
"We are all completely heartbroken. Michelle was one of the special ones. Her pedagogy was exemplary, her warmth, kindness and integrity evident in every interaction, and her commitment to living a full life with love at the centre inspiring. She will be so deeply missed," one person wrote.
"Michelle lived her life with such passion and devotion and had a life-changing impact on all whom she met. She'll be greatly missed," wrote another.
By Caitlyn Davey
Sporting teams hit by WA's COVID border breathe sigh of relief with end in sight
"We were on the bus having just arrived into Canberra and there was a bit of a 'wahoo' on the bus," Force captain Feleti Kaitu'u said of Western Australia's plan to reopen its border in March.
"We are all battling with our own struggles, whether it be with family or whatever, and being able to go home without having to quarantine will be a lift to the boys' spirits," he said.
Before Friday's announcement, the Force were staring at the prospect of having to repeatedly navigate border difficulties for the third season running.
Now the squad knows it can return to relative normality once the border comes down on March 3 — with quarantine-free interstate and international travel resuming from that date.
The Force are far from the only West Australian sporting team breathing an enormous sigh of relief thanks to the relaxation of restrictions.
Under WA's hard border, some teams — including clubs made up of part-time or semi-professional players who have had to step away from day jobs to continue competing — have been forced to spend weeks or even months interstate.
Major events have fallen by the wayside, with an Ashes Test, a one-day international cricket match and scores of Scorchers, Glory and Wildcats games among those lost because of the restrictions, while a handful of smaller sports were forced to cancel their seasons.
Perth Glory invested big money in former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, hoping the big-name drawcard would boost attendances, but months into his stay he has only played at home once.
But with a return home on the horizon, the club is hoping to make up for lost time.
By Caitlyn Davey
China records 195 new cases
China reported 195 new COVID-19 cases in the mainland yesterday up from 137 cases a day earlier, the health authority said on Sunday.
Ninety-four of the new infections were imported, the National Health Commission said in a statement, while 101 were locally transmitted, compared with 80 a day earlier. There were no new deaths.
China also reported 39 new asymptomatic patients, compared with 37 a day earlier. China does not classify asymptomatic cases as confirmed COVID-19 cases.
As of Saturday, mainland China had 107,707 confirmed coronavirus infections, while the COVID-19 death toll remained at 4,636, it said.
Meanwhile in Hong Kong
Also Saturday, the government announced plans to have construction crews from mainland China build isolation units with 10,000 beds after crowding at hospitals forced patients to wait outdoors in winter cold.
There were 6,063 confirmed cases in the previous 24 hours, raising the territory's total to 46,763. That was down slightly from Thursday’s 6,116 but one of Hong Kong’s highest daily totals.
Hong Kong has tightened travel and business controls as it tries to contain the surge. On Friday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the election for her post would be postponed by six weeks to May 8 due to “public health risks.”
Ms Lam said Monday the territory’s hospitals were overwhelmed. The government said the new isolation and treatment units will be built in the Penny’s Bay and Kai Tak districts.
By Caitlyn Davey
Thinking outside the box
Rather than just the continual rhetoric of striking a balance between safety and freedom, can we open the floor to some genius ideas please? Let's brainstorm some things that maybe governments haven't considered or even thought of! What are your "balanced" ideas? Maybe they are unworkable or kooky but maybe they'll solve all our issues!
-Charlie
Here's some of mine to start:
1. Perhaps businesses can open fully most of the time but have one day a week where capacity limits are in place so that more vulnerable people can enjoy too. Government could subsidise this.
2. Free grocery delivery services for those who feel unsafe.
3. Outdoor/open air pharmacies.
4. Move desks around in the office so that everyone maximally spaced out and/or is facing away from each other.
5. Wearable mini fans to keep air circulating around you.
6. Surgical masks that change colour or beep when they should be changed.
Do the people have other ideas (hopefully better than mine)? Maybe someone who works with a Premier or health department might read the blog...
Particularly love the first idea - similar to how some supermarkets have quiet shopping times for people with sensory issues.
