Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has encouraged Australians to wear masks in most settings, but governments have stopped short of declaring mandates.
Catch up on Wednesday's updates in our blog.
Key events
- NT records 642 new cases
- WA records two deaths, 7,901 COVID cases
- Hospitalisations in SA surpasses previous record
- Tasmania records 3 new COVID deaths
- ACT records 961 COVID cases
- Tasmania records three deaths, 1,586 COVID cases
- PM outlines 'four key differences' for getting through next COVID wave
- Queensland's COVID-19 hospitalisations have exceeded 1,000
- Victoria records 28 deaths, 12,984 COVID cases
- NSW records 20 deaths, 15,352 new COVID cases
- PM expected to speak at 10am AEST
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
We'll wrap things up here
Here are today's COVID-19 numbers from across the country:
- NSW – 20 deaths, 2,236 hospitalisations, 15,352 new cases
- Victoria – 28 deaths, 906 hospitalisations, 12,984 cases
- Queensland – 15 deaths, 1,034 hospitalisation, 9,650 new cases
- Tasmania – 3 deaths, 173 hospitalisations, 1,586 new cases
- ACT – 961 new cases, 160 hospitalisations
- NT – 642 new cases, 68 hospitalisations
- WA – 2 deaths, 457 hospitalisations, 7,901 new cases
- SA – 22 deaths, 323 hospitalisations, 4,774 new cases
In total, Australia recorded 90 COVID-19 deaths in the latest reporting period.
You can view a snapshot of today's figures here, and take a deeper look at the data with our Charting the Spread page.
By Jessica Riga
Thanks for sharing your experience with us
Just called up my local clinic for a 4th shot. They'd had a couple of cancellations today. Dosed and dusted within the space of 20mins and didn't even miss a blog update!
- Beth, Vic
By Jessica Riga
Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is provisionally approved for young kids. This is what we know
Australian children aged six months to five years old could soon be rolling up their sleeves for a COVID-19 jab.
On Tuesday, Australia's national medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), announced Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine could safely be given to young children in doses one-quarter the size of that approved for adults.
It's the first time in Australia a COVID-19 vaccine has been provisionally approved for this age group.
But federal Health Minister Mark Butler stressed the TGA's decision was "just the first step in a process".
So does this mean I get my child vaccinated now?
You can continue reading this story from health reporter Olivia Willis below.
By Jessica Riga
NT records 642 new cases
The Northern Territory has recorded 642 new COVID-19 cases.
There are currently 68 people in hospital, with one person in ICU.
By Jessica Riga
Health chief says Australians 'need to do things differently' to ease looming COVID wave
COVID infections are spiking again across Australia and the peak isn't expected for another month or so.
It's putting pressure on hospitals, where more than 5,200 Australians are currently being treated for the disease.
That's close to the hospitalisation peak in January this year in the wake of restrictions easing and the Omicron variant spreading through the community. And more than 50,000 new COVID cases were reported across the country yesterday.
The nation's Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, issued fresh warnings during a media blitz in the past 24 hours.
This prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to outline "four key differences" for getting through this COVID wave.
You can keep reading this story from Nicholas McElroy below.
By Jessica Riga
'Governments have failed to convince the public on booster shots': Professor Adrian Esterman
Adrian Esterman, an expert in biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of South Australia, has told ABC NewsRadio that governments — at both federal and state and territory levels —have failed to explain to the public why it is important to get their booster shots.
He said governments were currently "concerned more about politics than they are about public health".
"You've still only got 70 per cent of the eligible population having their third shot, and it's that third shot that gives the most protection," Professor Esterman said.
He also wants the government to enforce mask mandates again, saying it would encourage "a far higher percentage of people" to wear masks.
Professor Esterman said the public needed to brace for more COVID waves to come.
"We're going to see more and more of these waves which will go up, come down slightly, go up, come down slightly, and we'll just get a constant number of people going into hospital constantly with people getting very sick and a constant number of people dying," he said.
"Unless we do something about it."
Reporting by ABC NewsRadio's Chris Mitchell, Anna Pykett and Wing Kuang
By Jessica Riga
Queensland COVID-19 hospital cases pass 1,000 as AMA warns peak still weeks away
Queensland's COVID-19 hospitalisations have topped 1,000 for the first time, with 15 deaths confirmed in the latest reporting period.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said surge plans were in place for hospitals to deal with the rising COVID caseload, including rescheduling appointments.
However, Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton said all patients, from those with broken bones to cardiac conditions, would pay the price for the increasing spread of COVID.
"There may be a surge capacity at hospitals, but at what cost?" Dr Boulton said.
"We're seeing ambulance ramping, people waiting in emergency, we are also seeing people waiting for surgeries.
"We're hearing from people on the ground that there is incredible pressure.
You can continue reading this story by Meg Bolton below.
By Jessica Riga
WA records two deaths, 7,901 COVID cases
Western Australia has recorded 7,901 new COVID-19 cases in the latest reporting period.
The state also recorded a further two deaths — a man in his 80s and a man in his 70s.
There are currently 457 people in hospital, 22 of those being in ICU.
By Jessica Riga
When can I get my fourth shot after having COVID?
Any clarification on when one should get a fourth dose after having covid? I'm told it's four weeks but have also been told it's 12 weeks after catching covid.
- Matt
Hi Matt,
If you've recently had COVID-19, you have to wait until three months after you acquired the infection.
And you will have to wait three months after receiving your third booster shot before you can get the winter update.
In the link below is a state-by-state breakdown of how and where to get the 'winter shot'.
By Jessica Riga
Hospitalisations in SA surpasses previous record
The number of people in South Australian hospitals with COVID-19 has hit another record-high, as the state also records its highest daily caseload since the end of April.
There are 323 people now in hospital.
22 deaths have also been recorded, including three people over 100 years old.
The deaths occurred between the May the 3rd and July the 18th but have been included in today’s statistics.
There have been 4,774 new cases recorded today – the highest spike in the current wave.
Genomic testing indicates almost 75 per cent of cases are the BA.4 or BA.5 sub variant of Omicron.
By Jessica Riga
Lots of you in the comments are in support of a mask mandate
I feel so sorry for those people that have had elective surgeries delayed due to an overwhelmed hospital system. Plus all the school students having their learning compromised because of so many absences. Not everything is being done to help this situation. Masks will make a difference but unfortunately a lot of people won’t do it unless it’s mandated. It’s getting ridiculous that we have one great tool available to us to help manage this wave and yet it isn’t being used. We need a MASK MANDATE!
- Frustrated
Thanks for sharing your perspective with us, Frustrated.
And on that note about elective surgery, a "tsunami of people" are waiting for elective surgery due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in what the peak doctors' body says is an "unseen tragedy".
You can read more on this story from Phoebe Bowden below.
By Bridget Judd
Governments have failed to convince the public on booster shots, expert says
Reporting by Chris Mitchell, Anna Pykett and Wing Kuang
Adrian Esterman, an expert in biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of South Australia, says state, territory and federal governments have failed to explain to the public why it is important to get their booster shots.
He told ABC NewsRadio that governments are currently “concerned more about politics than they are about public health”.
“You've still only got 70 per cent of the eligible population having their third shot, and it's that third shot that gives the most protection,” Professor Esterman said.
He also wants the government to enforce mask mandates again, as it would encourage “a far higher percentage of people” to wear masks.
Professor Esterman said the public needed to brace for more COVID waves to come.
“We're going to see more and more of these waves which will go up, come down slightly, go up, come down slightly, and we'll just get a constant number of people going into hospital constantly with people getting very sick and a constant number of people dying,” he said.
“Unless we do something about it.”
By Bridget Judd
Tasmania records 3 new COVID deaths
Tasmania has recorded three new COVID deaths — a woman in her 90s, a woman in her 70s and a man in his 50s who died on April 6.
There are 173 COVID-positive patients in Tasmanian public hospitals, including two in ICU and 49 being treated specifically for COVID.
There are 361 staff furloughed, which is around 2 per cent of the total Health Department workforce.
By Jessica Riga
Should I mix and match my vaccines?
When it comes to the fourth shot is it better to have a different vaccine to the primary dose and previous booster? Example all previous shots Pfizer, would Moderna offer a benefit over another Pfizer.
- Daniel
Hi Daniel,
The experts say there doesn't seem to be much point.
Senior lecturer of public health at University of Technology Sydney Jane Frawley says while there was some research earlier in the pandemic suggesting there were benefits to having an mRNA booster after having two initial doses of AstraZeneca, there was not much difference when it came to fourth doses.
That's because a lot of people will have had either Pfizer or Moderna for their third shot — and both of those are mRNA vaccines.
Dr Frawley says it's best to just go with what's most convenient.
"We know they both work really well," she said.
Head of vaccine and immunisation research at the Doherty Institute Terry Nolan agreed.
"There's no point and no argument to mix and match," Professor Nolan said.
He said while there were subtle differences between Pfizer and Moderna, there was "no convincing evidence" to suggest mixing them up.
"I think the bottom line is that there isn't a difference between the two," he said.
"There's a difference between Novovax and the mRNA vaccines – but in the way they're made, not in effectiveness."
You can read more about boosters in this piece from Dannielle Maguire (who you'll remember from COVID blogs from days past!) below.
By Jessica Riga
Why can you only get a fourth dose if you're over 30?
Do we know why the fourth shot is only available to 30 and up?
- A 29 year old who wants to be boosted
Hi there,
As we already mentioned on the blog, ATAGI did not support making the fourth dose available to healthy adults under the age of 30 years as it was not clear whether the benefits outweighed the risks in this population group.
If you're over 30, you can find out more here.
By Jessica Riga
Australia is facing a growing wave of COVID cases
Why is the covid blog back? Is it bad? I havent been following covid news since February
- Hey
Hey hey,
Let's catch you up on the COVID-19 situation as you've been out of the loop for a bit.
The Chief Medical Officer has called on Australians to mask up indoors again and get booster doses as the nation faces a growing wave of Omicron cases.
Nationally there's more than 5,200 people in hospital with COVID-19. That's just short of the January peak of around 5,400 people being treated.
The rise in cases is translating to a surge in deaths as well. The current seven-day rolling average is 59 deaths every day in Australia for people with COVID.
Here's Joe O'Brien to step us through some charts.
By Jessica Riga
ACT records 961 COVID cases
The ACT has recorded another 961 COVID-19 cases in the latest reporting period.
There are currently 160 people with the virus in hospital.
Four of those patients are in ICU, with two requiring ventilation.
By Jessica Riga
Who is eligible for antivirals and how do you get them?
Who is eligible for anti-virals and how do you get them?
- Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Any Australian who tests positive to COVID-19 and is over the age of 70 will be able to access antivirals on the PBS.
Access has also been expanded to people aged over 50 with two or more risk factors for severe disease, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30 with two or more risk factors for severe disease.
Anyone aged 18 and older who is severely immunocompromised or has severe physical or intellectual disabilities requiring residential care can also request antivirals. People with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome can also request antivirals.
Health Minister Mark Butler said he hoped expanding the eligibility would help ease pressure on hospital systems.
If you test positive to COVID-19, make a phone or video appointment with your GP, or at a GP respiratory clinic, if there's one in your area.
If you are prescribed COVID antivirals, it's recommended you ask someone to collect them on your behalf and drop them off.
But even before you are infected with COVID, it's worth having a chat with your GP about antivirals.
You can read more about antivirals in this piece from reporter Angelica Silva here.
By Jessica Riga
Tasmania records three deaths, 1,586 COVID cases
Tasmania is the latest state to release its COVID-19 figures.
The state has recorded a further three deaths and 1,586 new COVID-19 cases.
There are 173 people in hospital, two of which are in ICU.
By Jessica Riga
Can adolescents receive boosters yet?
Are the 12-16 group allowed to have boosters yet? I know they were recommended by the TGA but I haven't seen anything about them rolling out since.
- Paul
Hi Paul,
Australian teenagers aged 12-15 who are at risk of severe disease are able to receive a COVID-19 booster shot.
You can read more in the story below.
