Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia will not change the isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases, but the issue will remain under constant review.
Here are the key moments from Thursday:
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has given provisional approval for two COVID-19 oral treatments, paxlovid and molnupiravir
- The TGA has also given its approval for the Novavax vaccine to be used in Australia
- States and territories will implement their own rules for schools to reopen after National Cabinet could not come up with a uniform plan
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison says reports the Commonwealth was diverting RAT kits away from businesses are false.
Catch up on all of the day's news with 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.
NSW: 25 deaths and 30,825 cases; 2,781 people in hospital, including 212 in ICUs
Victoria: 15 deaths and 21,966 cases; 1,206 people in hospital, including 122 in ICUs
Queensland: Nine deaths and 16,812 cases; 850 people in hospitals, including 48 in ICUs
ACT: 892 new cases; 62 people in hospitals, including three in ICUs
Tasmania: 927 new cases; 14 people in hospitals, including three in ICUs
SA: 11 deaths and 3,777 new cases; 290 people in hospital, including 29 in ICUs
NT: 459 new cases; 54 people in hospital, including one in ICU
WA: Five new cases
By Michael Doyle
That's all for the blog today
It has been another action packed day on the ABC COVID-19 blog.
Thank you to everyone who joined us throughout the day.
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
By Michael Doyle
Beijing raises vigilance as local cases tick higher
China's capital Beijing ramped up efforts to curb COVID-19 infections, ordering checks among cold-chain firms and urging residents to cut unnecessary gatherings, as the city reported an uptick in local cases weeks before the Winter Olympics.
Beijing had three domestically transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms on Wednesday, including one previously reported as a local asymptomatic carrier for January 18, according to local health authority data on Thursday.
Reuters
By Michael Doyle
WORLD NEWS: US to distribute 400 million free N95 masks
The U.S. government will make 400 million non-surgical "N95" masks from its strategic national stockpile available for free to the public starting next week, a White House official said, as the Biden administration tries to curb the pandemic.
Snug-fitting N95 face masks, so-called because they filter at least 95% of particulate matter from the air, will be shipped to pharmacies and community health centres this week, the official said, and will be available for pickup late next week.
Reuters
By Michael Doyle
'Extremely unfair' policy which saw Canberra nurses forced to take personal leave ahead of COVID leave overhauled
Frontline health staff who contract COVID-19 will now be able to access special leave before having to dip into their personal leave after the ACT government today changed its public service employee entitlements.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation yesterday raised concerns that staff were being asked to use their personal leave before they were able to access COVID leave if they contracted the virus.
Today, the ACT government changed its policy, allowing ill workers to access up to seven days of COVID-19 leave before using personal leave if they are still unwell.
Katrina, a nurse from the Canberra Hospital who agreed to speak to the ABC on condition of anonymity, is currently in isolation after contracting COVID-19.
She said the old policy felt "extremely unfair".
"We have given up so much to protect and care for our community during the pandemic, which we feel is not being acknowledged now, when we need it to be," she said.
Read more on this story by Harry Frost by clicking this link.
By Michael Doyle
Legal challenge expands to include police in SA
A legal challenge against the South Australian government's COVID-19 vaccination mandates is set to be expanded to include police officers.
The action was instigated by a group of four education and health workers, including Crows AFL-W player Deni Varnhagen who argue the mandates are unlawful and unreasonable.
The Supreme Court today heard expert evidence would be called during the expedited trial which could be listed in March — just a few days before the state election.
A lawyer for the group of workers, Loretta Polson, said the case would be amended to include two police officers who are currently furloughed.
"Police officers are now being advised that they need to be vaccinated at the risk of losing their livelihood and careers. How many more insidious mandates are to be imposed upon the workers of South Australia by a public servant?" she said.
By Michael Doyle
Federal court publishes reasons it rejected Djokovic's challenge to visa cancellation decision
The Federal Court has revealed the reasons why it rejected tennis star Novak Djokovic's challenge against the federal government's decision to cancel his visa.
In a unanimous decision, Chief Justice James Allsop, Justice Anthony Besanko and Justice David O'Callaghan said Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to cancel Djokovic's visa was not irrational or illogical.
The three judges found it was not irrational for the Mr Hawke to be concerned that the support of anti-vaccination groups for Djokovic may encourage protests and further community transmission.
The judges said they did not consider the merits or wisdom of the Minister's decision, only whether or not it was lawful.
The world number one men's tennis player was deported from Australia late on Sunday after he failed in a bid to have the visa cancellation overturned.
The full bench of the Federal Court unanimously agreed to dismiss Djokovic's application on Sunday before he was due to play in the Australian Open on Monday.
Reporting by Kate Ashton
By Michael Doyle
No word on a WA press conference
any news from WA - are we having a press conference today?
-what about WA
Not that I know of blog friend.
By Michael Doyle
Surfing legend Kelly Slater will not be allowed into Australia without a vaccine, Health Minister Greg Hunt says
American surfing great Kelly Slater will not be allowed to compete in upcoming events in Australia if he doesn't get vaccinated against COVID-19, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Thursday.
Eleven-time world champion Slater, who hasn't revealed his vaccination status, defended tennis world number one Novak Djokovic after the unvaccinated Serbian was detained and later deported https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/detained-djokovic-fight-australian-deportation-court-2022-01-14 by authorities ahead of the Australian Open.
Two World Surf League championship events are scheduled for Victoria and Western Australia in April and May. It remains unclear whether Slater, 49, will take part.
"I think we've been pretty clear with the Novak Djokovic case of no vax, no play," Hunt said.
"It's a pretty simple message, doesn't matter what sport, we're even-handed. I hope he (Slater) gets vaccinated and I hope he competes."
Reuters
By Michael Doyle
No uniform agreement from National Cabinet on school reopenings
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says keeping schools open is a high priority for all state and territory leaders.
National Cabinet has concluded with no uniform agreement about the rules around reopening schools.
The federal government has agreed to split the cost of rapid antigen tests with states, should they decide to regularly test students and teachers.
Mr Morrison says it's essential schools remain open.
"We need the schools to stay open we need them to stay open, if they are not open, peak furloughing of our workforce will go from 10 per cent to 15 per cent which would have a devastating effect on our economy and the broader functioning of society," he said.
By Michael Doyle
East Arnhem community of Yirrkala exits lockdown as Northern Territory records 459 new COVID-19 cases
Authorities advise there is one COVID-19 patient in intensive care.
There were 459 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Northern Territory in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, according to a statement from the Northern Territory government.
Of those cases, 364 were detected from rapid antigen tests.
There were 1,114 PCR tests processed during the last reporting period and there are now about 3,970 known active cases in the Northern Territory.
Four new cases were recorded in the Arnhem Land community of Yirrkala, but the lockdown in the community has lifted on schedule, at 2pm today, the government said.
"Significant testing has been undertaken in Yirrkala, with more than 145 tests completed in the past two days," it said.
"The spread of COVID-19 in Yirrkala has been reduced, with a total of nine cases, including five people in Yirrkala and four in Nhulunbuy. Anyone with symptoms is advised to get tested immediately."
By Michael Doyle
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in Australia — but when will it be here?
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the Novavax coronavirus vaccine for use in adults.
But you might be wondering, why do we need another vaccine at all when most of us are fully vaccinated and some have received a booster?
The government says in part it's about offering more choice to those who are yet to be vaccinated — and it's not yet clear whether the shots will be used as boosters.
Find out more about the Novavax vaccine by clicking this link.
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
NT hospitalisations rise to 54
The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 in the Northern Territory has risen to 54, with another 459 new cases reported.
The number of active cases is now sitting at just under 4,000.
Meanwhile, the lockdown in Yirrkala has been lifted, with no restrictions to movement.
The lockdown on Galiwin'ku is still in place until January 24, with 15 new cases reported today.
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
Tasmania's back-to-school plan
The Tasmanian government says under its plan to return to school, parents and carers will be given two rapid antigen tests per student for use if they become symptomatic.
Premier Peter Gutwein says 1.6 million masks and almost as many rapid antigen tests are being acquired for use when schools return next month.
Air purifiers are being supplied to classrooms without natural ventilation, and retired teachers are being contacted about relief work.
Mr Gutwein says all students should be at school unless they are unwell.
By Jon Healy
That's the end of the Prime Minister's press conference
But we'll be sprinkling in more details and reporting from National Cabinet as we get them throughout the afternoon.
By Jon Healy
Questions about masks in the class room
Professor Paul Kelly says the risks of transmission in the class room aren't as much of a concern because kids still aren't as vulnerable.
"There was a paper I was reading last night, from New South Wales, [based on] Delta, not Omicron, but from last year in June through December last year, they looked at 17,000 cases of children under the age of 16. There were 4 per cent of those ended up in hospital and two thirds of those were because of social reasons. There are only 15, I believe, that were in ICU.
"This is very much a mild illness in children. It is mild in Delta and ... Omicron."
And while the kids may bring the virus from the class room back to their families or spread it in the community...
"There is the chance and the balance of keeping their fundamental principle in place. We want kids back at school and want them back on day one. To keep them at school as much as possible. There are trade-offs today in terms of transmission."
By Jon Healy
Will three doses be necessary to be considered fully vaccinated?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says that may be a necessary change to the definition at some point, but practically that change can't get made yet.
"At this stage, I would say there's no problem with any lack of demand of getting boosters, quite the opposite. You continue to see people turning up and getting it and that's the outcome you want, whether it be formerly a three-dose program or a two doses with a booster, I would leave it to the medical experts to advise us."
By Jon Healy
Close contact definition the same for kids at school
Sharing a class room with a positive COVID case DOES NOT make you a close contact, according to CMO Paul Kelly.
"The definition of a close contact is the same for children as it is for adults: household members.
"That brings into play that same approach, if you are close contact of a case in your house, you should not be coming to school.
"We want to keep schools open and want to get them open and part of the surveillance testing is about that, about giving confidence to get kids back to school and teachers back into the classroom as well."
