Catch up on all of Saturday's news and updates on our blog.
Live updates
By Jon Healy
Cases, hospitalisations and deaths
If you don't see your state or territory yet, don't worry - these numbers are updated throughout the day.
For a detailed breakdown of cases across the country, check out Charting the Spread.
NSW: 18 deaths and 8,389 new cases; 2,337 people in hospital, including 152 in ICU
VIC: 41 deaths and 7,810 new cases; 687 people in hospital, including 80 in ICU
TAS: 483 new cases; 10 people in hospital, including two in ICU
QLD: 21 deaths, 8,508 new cases, 727 in hospital, 46 in ICU — 63 in a private hospital, 2 in ICU
ACT: 1 death, 372 new cases, 63 people in hospital, including 1 in ICU
WA: 26 new cases
NT: 968 new cases, 173 cases added to Friday's tally, 151 people in hospital, four in ICU
SA: Two deaths, 1,289 new cases, 218 people in hospital, including 16 in ICU
By Michael Doyle
That is all for the blog today
We have been given our cue to close the blog.
At the time of publishing, the figures from South Australia have not been released.
When they are published they will be put into the post pinned at the top of the page.
A big thanks to everyone who joined us on the blog today.
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
By Michael Doyle
We are still waiting for South Australia
COVID update?
-SA
Hi Michael - any idea when the daily Presser from SA is due today?
-Gary
By Michael Doyle
WORLD NEWS: China reports 45 new COVID cases among Olympics personnel
China detected 45 new cases of COVID-19 among Olympic Games related personnel on February 4, up from 21 a day earlier, the organising committee of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games said on Saturday.
Of the total infections, 26 were among new airport arrivals, including 20 athletes or team officials.
The remaining 19 were already in the "closed loop" bubble that separates event personnel from the public, according to a notice on the Games' official website.
Reuters
By Michael Doyle
WORLD NEWS: India records 1,059 deaths in the previous 24 hours
By Michael Doyle
WA: Test and Isolation Payments now available
WA Premier Mark McGowan says a $320 Test Isolation Payment is now available if people are required to isolate while awaiting a COVID-19 PCR test and lose income as a result.
By Michael Doyle
Can we please have a breakdown of how many of the 26 WA cases were local?
-Adrian
25.
By Michael Doyle
WORLD NEWS: New infections surge across parts of Asia
South Korea has reported a record new daily number of COVID-19 infections.
One of the first countries hit by the pandemic, its daily cases have exceeded 30,000 for the first time, with more than 36,000 infections.
Another Asian nation, Singapore, recorded a tripling in COVID cases yesterday to more than 13,000.
However,it says nearly all people affected now have mild or no symptoms.
Nearly 90 per cent of people in Singapore are fully-vaccinated, and nearly 60 per cent have had boosters.
Meanwhile, health officials in China say the country's daily count of new cases edged down yesterday from 29 to 27.
By Michael Doyle
NT: Breakdown of cases in the Northern Territory
- 546 cases are in the Top End
- 151 in Central Australia
- 57 in East Arnhem
- 62 in the Big Rivers region
- 30 in the Barkly.
- 122 cases under investigation.
By Michael Doyle
NT: Mask mandate will be lifted at 6pm
The Northern Territory's outdoor mask mandate will be lifted at 6pm despite 968 new cases of COVID-19 being recorded.
Masks are still required in all indoor settings and authorities are encouraging those over 12 to continue wearing a mask outdoors when social distancing can't take place.
151 infected people are in hospitals across the Territory — an increase of three from yesterday.
The number of people requiring oxygen has also increased, but the number of people in ICU has dropped from six to four.
There are around 7,300 active cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Territory.
By Michael Doyle
NT: 1,141 new cases recorded, including 173 added to Friday's total
So that means today's cases are 968, with the remaining cases being added to yesterday's tally.
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
ANALYSIS: Mark McGowan faces barrage of questions as WA border remains firmly shut
After a week that saw a single COVID-19 case close a school and Western Australia likened to North Korea, it is hard to believe WA's borders were supposed to open today.
When the reopening date was announced on December 13, former WA Health Minister Roger Cook warned the state's COVID-free bubble was "about to burst".
With Omicron spreading in Western Australia, the bubble has already burst but the border remains shut.
ABC reporter Rhiannon Shine has written this piece in Western Australia.
By Michael Doyle
WA: Premier says around 6,000 people are expected to enter the state today
Mark McGowan says it would have been "irresponsible" to open the border today, as was originally planned.
The state government did extend the list of the number of people who could enter the state.
"We're expecting up to 6,000 people to be arriving in WA today," he said.
By Michael Doyle
WA: 92.8 per cent double dose vaccine for those aged 12 and over
By Michael Doyle
WA's travel rules ease from today, so what's changing and will my G2G application be approved?
After months of waiting, WA's border restrictions have finally eased, although a full reopening is still on hold indefinitely.
Premier Mark McGowan has said these adjustments balance safety and compassion and will help delay widespread community transmission of Omicron in WA until more people have had their booster.
While thousands are expected to flock to Western Australia from today, there will be plenty whose trips have been cancelled by the new rules.
So what are they? And when might they change?
ABC reporter Keane Bourke answers all of these questions in this piece.
By Michael Doyle
Retirees 'ready to go' on cruising holidays, demanding the federal government lifts ban
Some Queensland retirees have declared they are ready to start cruising holidays again, demanding the federal government lift a ban on vessels in Australian waters.
Mick Wright is one of those who is counting down the days until he and his wife Robyn can cruise the open ocean again.
"I'm so looking forward to this year being our cruise year," Mr Wright said.
"You throw your port in the cabin, and go straight to the bar. I mean, what a wonderful life you lead."
The couple, aged in their 70s, were cruising regulars before the COVID-19 pandemic.
They have booked a two-week cruise from Sydney to New Zealand in August.
"My wife and I will thoroughly relax and enjoy and take in all the shows and all the restaurants whilst we still have a chance on this earth," he said.
"Admittedly cruising is going to get dearer because fewer people travel at the moment.
"We people who want to take that risk, we're ready to go."
By Michael Doyle
Clarification on Queensland's CHO speaking earlier
Re Queensland, CHO says there is no need to wait to get your booster if you are an older resident, does that mean they’ve removed the need to wait three months after the second shot?
-Em_Tee
No, it doesn't. That rule is still in place.
He was making reference to those who can get it now, but are waiting.
