- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has given the green light for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine to be used in Australia, and the country has ordered 51 million doses.
- The TGA has also given provisional approval to two anti-viral oral treatments, for use in vulnerable patients with COVID.
- Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the oral treatments paxlovid and molnupiravir, will start to arrive in the coming weeks.
- Forty-nine people have died from COVID-19 across Australia.
- The death toll comes as the daily number of people hospitalised in NSW has fallen for the first time since 18 December - from 2,863 on Wednesday to 2,781 - while ICU numbers also fell to 212 from 217.
- NSW reported 30,825 new infections and 25 people lost their lives.
- The national cabinet is due to meet on Thursday, with the discussion expected to focus on a safe return for students and teachers and a coordinated COVID safety plan as the start of school approaches.
- An 18-year-old with underlying medical problems is among nine deaths reported in Queensland as the state records another 16,812 virus cases.
- Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says three COVID-19 vaccine doses were required to be "properly protected" and he expects the national cabinet would "reflect" this.
- Health authorities in Queensland expect the current wave of cases to peak at the end of the month, with Health Minister Yvette D'Ath predicting the Gold Coast to peak first.
A number of states have set up RAT registration forms.
COVID-19 Stats:
NSW reported 30,825 new cases and 25 deaths, while Victoria recorded 21,966 cases and 15 deaths.
Queensland recorded 16,812 cases and nine deaths, while Tasmania has recorded 927 cases.
The ACT has recorded 892 new cases.
Quarantine and restrictions state by state
Travel
Financial help
There are changes to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment once states reach 70 and 80 per cent fully vaccinated:
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