Woolworths says absences at its distribution centres has decreased, but rapid antigen tests, paracetamol and toilet paper are still subject to purchase limits.
Catch up on all of Tuesday's news on our blog.
Live updates
By Michael Doyle
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: 18,512 new cases, 2,943 people in hospital, 183 in ICU, 29 deaths. Watch the press conference here
VIC: 14,836 new cases, 1,057 people in hospital, 119 in ICU, 29 deaths. Watch the press conference here
QLD: 9,546 new cases, 928 people in public hospitals, 51 in ICU, 11 deaths. Watch the press conference here
TAS: 643 new cases, 35 people in hospital, three in ICU, one death.
ACT: 904 new cases, 67 people are in hospital, three in ICU, one death.
SA: 1,869 new cases, 287 people in hospital, 32 in ICU, five deaths. Watch the press conference here
WA: 18 new cases, two people are in hospital, one in ICU. Watch the press conference here
NT: 517 new cases, 72 people in hospital, three in ICU, no deaths.
By Michael Doyle
That is all for the blog today
Short, shape and to the point.
That is all for the blog today.
We had figures flying at us left right and centre, not to mention back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back press conferences.
My fingers are sore.
I want to thank everyone who joined us for the blog.
Until next time my blog friends, stay safe and be well.
By Michael Doyle
Travel agents calling for financial support
Travel agents have gathered outside Federal MPs' offices across the country, calling on the government to provide financial support.
The agents said while other industries are operating at low capacity, theirs has been decimated and it was unclear when it would be viable again.
John Williams attended a protest outside Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's office in Hawthorn East.
He is in his 70s and was planning to retire when Covid hit. He said that is not even on his "radar" now.
"The last two years has been absolutely diabolical," he said.
"It's been tough because it's the whole family. We've got our whole investments in the travel industry, and it's been decimated, absolutely decimated."
Mr Williams said he wants to see financial support that will keep the industry afloat until international travel picks back up.
"We really need the help to maintain our industry, to keep the industry flowing. We need cruising back onto the agenda and we just need that financial support," he said.
Susan Harbele, a travel agent and advocate, said the industry is also dealing with $8 billion worth of travel credits.
"[It's money] from clients that have had their tours, cruises, holidays cancelled or suspended, and as John mentioned, his staff have been working very very hard for zero revenue," she said.
"We want to be upskilled, we want to have the staff ready to go as an industry, so when travel does resume…we are ready."
Reporting by Lucy Macdonald.
By Michael Doyle
NT: 286 new cases, 78 people in hospital, four in intensive care
By Michael Doyle
VIC: Number waiting more than a year for elective surgery nearly triples in a year
The number of people waiting more than a year for surgeries deemed to be elective has nearly tripled in a year, a new report has found.
The data compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows 7.6 per cent of patients waited longer than a year to be admitted for surgery in 2020-21 — nearly triple the 2.8 per cent the year before.
Even for those who were seen sooner, the median wait time for elective surgery was 48 days, up on the 39-day median wait time in 2019-20.
The Institute's spokesman, Adrian Webster, told ABC Radio Melbourne the report showed that in the 2020-21 year, states like New South Wales were able to clear a large portion of the backlog caused by 2020's first lockdown.
But Victoria was less successful during the several lockdowns over the 2020-21 year.
Elective procedures are classed from category 1 — urgent and needing to be performed within 30 days — to category 3 — needing to happen within 12 months.
Tonsil removals, cataract surgeries, IVF and varicose vein procedures generally fall into the latter category. While they may cause pain, they are deemed by doctors to be unlikely to deteriorate quickly.
The "elective" categorisation "is in no way meant to imply that it's an optional surgery", Professor Webster said.
"It certainly is not optional."
The data shows the number of elective surgery admissions was up by 9.6 per cent across the country, after a significant dip in admissions in 2019-20.
The Institute attributes that uptick to the greater level of restrictions in place for elective surgery nationwide in 2019-20.
Indigenous Australians waited longer than other Australians for elective surgery in the 2020-21 year, with a median wait time of 57 days. Nine per cent of Indigenous Australians waited more than a year to be admitted for their procedure.
Reporting by Yara Murray-Atfield.
By Michael Doyle
Did you buy a calendar for 2022?
February 28th is a Friday, not a Monday.
-Oops!
February 28 is a Monday.
By Michael Doyle
COVID-19 outbreak on board HMAS Adelaide could hold up delivery of vital aid to Tonga
The Foreign Minister says Australia will work with Tonga to ensure aid is delivered without infecting any locals with COVID-19.
Twenty-three personnel on the Australian navy ship HMAS Adelaide — which is delivering supplies in the wake of last week's tsunami — have tested positive while at sea.
Tonga remains COVID free and has already insisted that all aid be delivered without any person to person contact.
Marise Payne says she's confident Australia will able to deliver help while keeping Tonga free from the virus.
"We will comply with and observe all of their requirements in terms of quarantine and in terms of protection of their population in the arrival of HMAS Adelaide and to determine how best we can deploy," she said.
By Michael Doyle
QLD: Peak to hit at different times across the state
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says at this stage Queensland hospitals were coping well.
"There is no question that as we approach the peak there will be strain and stress on individual hospitals but the peak appears to be slightly less in most areas, and it won't necessarily be the same everywhere, than we had planned for," he said.
Dr Gerrard said different regions would experience their peaks at different stages.
"It's surprising how quickly this virus does spread, so the Gold Coast is probably going through its peak now or probably just passed its peak," Dr Gerrard said.
"We can expect Brisbane to go through its peak next and probably Townsville the following week … it's that sort of rate of progression.
"Cairns interestingly is a little bit earlier, probably approaching the peak now or in the next few days so it's different in different regions."
Reporting by Ashleigh Stevenson
By Michael Doyle
'Grand slam of pandemic failures': Albanese at the National Press Club
Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is addressing the National Press Club.
He has taken a swipe at the government over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is a bit of what Mr Albanese has had to say.
It is beyond comprehension that this government has actively refused to learn from this pandemic.
This government has failed repeatedly on testing, tracing, vaccinations and quarantine.
The grand slam of pandemic failure.
A Prime Minister who was repeatedly warned by experts about what is coming, and given the opportunity to plan ahead.
But repeatedly fails to listen and more importantly, fails to act.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will address the National Press Club next week.
By Michael Doyle
NSW: COVID-19 restrictions will be extended until Monday, February 28
Just want to circle back to this.
I said I would find out exactly which date the NSW restrictions have been extended to.
It is Monday, February 28.
By Michael Doyle
SA: Premier says today's low infection numbers are positive
"We're absolutely delighted with that figure," Steven Marshall said.
"We are tracking extraordinarily well in South Australia."
By Michael Doyle
South Australia: 1869 new cases and five deaths
South Australia has recorded its lowest daily COVID count so far this year – 1869 people tested positive yesterday.
Five deaths were recorded.
The Premier says two were in the past 24 hours and three were in preceding days but have only just been reported.
There was a slight reduction in hospitalisations – 287 people with COVID are currently in hospital in SA.
32 are in intensive care — three more than yesterday.
There are now five people ventilators – one fewer than yesterday.
By Michael Doyle
WA: 15 new cases recorded, three more travel related in quarantine
By Michael Doyle
International travel is much easier now, but experts say COVID-19 could still make it tricky
The country's international borders are gradually reopening, but virologists and travel experts advise holiday-makers to "delay" trips, with the industry not expected to completely bounce back before 2024.
For the fully vaccinated, flights in and out of New South Wales have been taking off since late last year, while Queensland will allow quarantine-free international arrivals into the state from this weekend.
The world is slowly becoming more accessible, but virologist Paul Griffin said continued COVID-19 transmission around the world makes it hard to predict the future of travel.
"If holiday plans could be deferred, I think that's probably advisable and particularly while we get our systems back up and running," Dr Griffin said.
He said having testing facilities across Australian states and territories stretched to the limit remains a major roadblock.
"If we had more testing capacity it might make things like travel able to be done a little more safely."
By Michael Doyle
Watch the Western Australia press conference here
By Michael Doyle
QLD: Premier says she will wait until Education Minister returns before making announcements on schools
Annastacia Palaszczuk said Education Minister Grace Grace has contracted COVID-19.
By Michael Doyle
