COVID-19

5 years since Covid was declared a pandemic, we’re still poorly prepared for the next one

On March 11 2020, as Covid continued to spread rapidly around the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared…

New year, same aged care crisis: Longer wait times, facility closures and hospital strain

Recent government data reveals that wait times for accessing aged care services have continued to grow year-on-year. The Productivity Commission's…

Inquest into Covid-19 deaths at Newmarch House reveals provider’s failures

Anglicare executives failed to provide sufficient leadership during the deadly 2020 Covid-19 outbreak at Newmarch House aged care facility in…

Covid-19 cases spiking ahead of the holiday season

Experts are warning the community to stay vigilant about Covid-19 this upcoming holiday season, with a new survey revealing 91…

Melbourne nurse cops suspension over Covid ‘mistake’

An aged care nurse has been suspended following a “mistake” he made during Covid lockdown in Melbourne. Nursing staff at…

Death, stress and low wages: Covid Inquiry on aged care

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC) and the Prime Minister have released the final report of an…

$251m for Australian Centre for Disease Control

The Albanese government has pledged $251.7m to establish a permanent Centre for Disease Control (CDC) tasked with ensuring Australia is…

Lessons for the next pandemic: where did Australia go right and wrong in responding to COVID?

Adrian Esterman, University of South Australia; Guzyal Hill, Charles Darwin University; Hassan Vally, Deakin University; Kim M Caudwell, Charles Darwin…

Getting antivirals for Covid too often depends on where you live and how wealthy you are

Medical experts recommend antivirals for people aged 70 and older who get Covid, and for other groups at risk of…

From FLiRT to FLuQE: what to know about the latest COVID variants on the rise

Nathan Bartlett, University of Newcastle We’re in the midst of a bad cold and flu season in Australia. Along with…

Life expectancy drops for first time in 30 years

The life expectancy of Australians has fallen for the first time since the mid-1990s, a new government report reveals. The…

“No excuse” – safety commission announces targeted monitoring for Covid-19

The Australian Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) has announced new measures for ensuring all residential aged care facilities…

Results are looking promising for a combined COVID and flu vaccine. Here’s how it could benefit public health

Jaya Dantas, Curtin University Earlier this week, Moderna announced positive results for its phase 3 clinical trial of a combined vaccine…

NSW records large increase in flu cases, concerning jump in ER admissions

NSW is headed for a “more severe flu season than usual” with the state recording a 25 per cent week-on-week…

Providers warned as Covid-19 outbreaks rise

Providers have been warned to stay alert as a new Covid-19 variant sweeps the nation, following a rise in cases…

COVID outbreak and alleged neglect claims at south Qld aged care home

Estia Health Hervey Bay in Urraween Queensland is facing a Covid outbreak involving around 40 patients with alleged claims of…

Government health spending increases as Covid lingers

This year, Australia has spent a total of $241.3b on healthcare goods and services, which is a six per cent…

Immunisation body says over-75s need another Covid booster

The federal government’s immunisation advisory body says the most vulnerable Australians should arrange to get another COVID-19 vaccination booster. The…

‘Still no sign’: Aged care homes still waiting for COVID-19 reimbursement

Aged care homes are being pushed further into debt as they are left guessing when an estimated half a billion…

Peak bodies update visitor code to reduce isolation in residential care

New revisions changing visitor rules in Australia's aged care homes have been released by industry peak bodies. Hailed as being…

The next frontier: Impact of Covid beyond mortality rates

A call for further research has been made to investigate the mental and physical impact Covid-19 had on older people…

Aged care warned of looming fifth Covid wave

An epidemiologist has warned the aged care sector to stay vigilant of soaring Covid-19 cases as Australia heads into a…

Nurse raises awareness of Covid-related hearing loss

Registered nurse and lecturer at the University of South Australia, Kim Gibson, is spreading awareness about hearing loss as a…

Covid-19 numbers ‘more than doubled’ in residential aged care

Covid-19 numbers have doubled in residential aged care over the past two months amid an ‘alarmingly low’ drop in Covid-19…

Older Aussies urged to get jabbed before end of May

Health experts have called for older Australians to get their flu and Covid-19 boosters before the start of winter amid…