Here's a quick wrap of the latest COVID-19 news and case numbers from each Australian jurisdiction's for the past week, as reported on Friday, September 30, 2022.
The states and territories are now reporting their COVID-19 statistics weekly, instead of through the daily updates that were provided from the early days of the pandemic.
This story will be updated throughout the day, so if you do not see your state or territory check back later.
You can jump to the COVID-19 information you want to read by clicking below.
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- South Australia
- Australian Capital Territory
- Northern Territory
New South Wales
NSW reported 82 COVID-19 deaths in the week to 4pm on Thursday, up from 69 total deaths last week.
In some good news, the number of people in hospital has fallen from 1,176 to 1,057, but there are still 24 people in ICU.
There were 12,592 new cases recorded over the past week, a decrease on last week's total of 14,170.
Victoria
Victoria is reporting its COVID deaths as a seven-day rolling average.
It reported an approximately 59 deaths on average this week, down from last week's average of 80.
The state also reported 9,458 cases, a decrease on last week's figure of 10,360.
Hospitalisations are also down, with 145 people in hospital this week compared to 169. Nine people are in ICU, up from last week's total of eight.
Queensland
Queensland recorded 77 COVID-19 deaths this past week. The sharp rise, up from last week's total of 37 deaths, is because this week includes historical deaths prior to this reporting period.
The state recorded 8,061 new cases, down from last week's total of 9,166.
Hospitalisations have also decreased, with 116 people in hospital compared to last week's total of 152. Five people are in ICU, down from seven from last week.
Western Australia
The state recorded 10 COVID-19 deaths in the week to 4pm Thursday, dating back to 29 August 2022.
There are 136 cases in hospital, an increase of two people since last week, as two people remain in ICU.
There were 4,662 new cases recorded over the past week, down from 5,055 cases last week.
Tasmania
Tasmania has reported two new deaths in the seven days to 4pm on Thursday.
The state reported 732 new cases of the virus, down from 923 last week.
There are 4 patients in hospital being treated for COVID-19, one of which is in the ICU.
South Australia
South Australia reported 19 COVID-19 deaths in the week to 4pm Thursday, slightly down from last week's total of 23.
There are 31 people in hospital with the virus, down from 50. There's just one person in ICU, compared to last week when there was six.
There were 3,104 new cases recorded over the past week, on par with last week's total of 3,037.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT reported one COVID-19 deaths in the week to 4pm on Thursday.
There are currently 55 people in hospital, down from 69 last week, and no one is requiring ICU support.
There were 616 new cases this week, down from last week's total of 730.
Northern Territory
The NT reported two new COVID-19 death in the week to 4pm on Thursday.
There are currently 12 people with the virus in hospital in the territory.
There were 339 new cases recorded over the past week, down slightly from 379 cases in the previous week.
One thing to know: National cabinet agrees to scrap COVID isolation rules
National cabinet has agreed to scrap mandatory isolation rules for COVID-19 from October 14.
Pandemic disaster leave payments will also be wound back from the same date.
Financial supports will remain in place for casual workers in aged care, disability care, Aboriginal healthcare and in hospitals.
Those payments will be funded on a 50/50 basis between states and territories.
In the lead-up to Friday's meeting, several premiers had publicly called for the isolation period to be removed.
Others had noted they wanted to hear from the chief medical officer on the latest health advice before making a decision.
You can continue reading this story here.
ICYMI: Pfizer COVID vaccine approved for all children aged over six months old
On Thursday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Pfizer's paediatric dose of its COVID vaccine for children aged between six months and five years old.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is yet to make a decision on which under-fives will be eligible.
Pfizer is the second vaccine to be approved for that age group, after Moderna's jab was approved in July.
"This paediatric vaccine is made in the same way as the vaccines for older persons, however, it contains a lower amount of active ingredient (3 micrograms)," the TGA said.
You can read more on this story here.
Meanwhile: COVID-19 deaths in aged care have soared, but are we paying enough attention?
Early in the pandemic, the prevalence of COVID-19 in aged care was seen as a national tragedy. But two years on, the number of deaths has jumped exponentially — and some worry we've started looking the other way.
Advocates say not enough people are aware of the trauma still happening in aged care, and residents are torn between fearing the outside world and wanting to be a part of it
Here's what's making news overseas
- Apple will start making iPhone 14s in India, amid growing criticism over the economic and human costs of Beijing's strict COVID-zero policy
- Fans attending the Qatar 2022 World Cup must show a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive as part of the host nation's rules to combat the virus
- In the United Kingdom, critics are divided over This England, a six-part fictionalised drama series that chronicles Boris Johnson's handling of the first COVID-19 wave, with the BBC deeming it "too soon"
One last thing: Head of COVID vaccine review 'surprised' government yet to order shots for 2024
The former health department boss charged with reviewing the nation's vaccine procurement during the pandemic says she is "surprised" the federal government has not yet ordered any COVID-19 vaccines for the year after next, telling the ABC it is "prudent" supplies are secured.
In an interview with the ABC's PM program, Professor Jane Halton said vaccines had not yet been ordered for 2024.
"I think it would be prudent for all of us to realise that this virus isn't going away and there's nothing that we see that suggests that people won't continue to need to get a level of immunity, preferably, obviously, from a vaccine as opposed to being infected.
