Here's a quick wrap of the COVID-19 news and case numbers from each Australian jurisdiction for the past week, as reported on Friday, February 3, 2023.
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.
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Australia Capital Territory
- South Australia
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
News you may have missed
- In the past year alone, Australia has purchased enough rapid antigen tests for everyone to get 22 each — millions of which are about to expire, prompting calls for free giveaways for all
- A world-first study by Australian researchers showed only two of 10 brands of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) analysed picked up low concentrations of the virus
- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told 7.30 he complained to technology companies about COVID-19 conspiracy theories about him being spread online
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New South Wales
The state has recorded 6,567 new cases of COVID-19, down from 7,653 last week.
There are 1,031 cases in the state's hospitals, 19 of those in intensive care.
There were 88 deaths announced today.
Victoria
Victoria has recorded 3,056 new cases this week, down from 3,446 last week.
The state has 144 people in hospital with COVID-19 and seven in intensive care.
There have been 70 deaths reported.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has recorded 420 new cases, down from 582 last week.
There are 11 people in hospital, with no-one in intensive care.
There have been five deaths reported this week.
South Australia
South Australia has recorded 1,286 new cases, down from 1,494 last week.
There are 65 people in hospital and five in intensive care.
There were 14 deaths reported in the past week.
Queensland
Queensland has recorded 4,414 new cases, down from 4,908.
There are 226 people in hospital, 18 in intensive care.
There has been 35 deaths reported this week.
Western Australia
WA has reported 2,146 new cases in the past week.
There are 154 people with COVID-19 in hospital, with two in intensive care.
This week's report includes 11 deaths.
Tasmania
There have been 321 new cases in Tasmania this week.
There are 18 people in hospital, with two in intensive care.
Three deaths have been reported.
Northern Territory
There have been 166 new cases in the NT, down from 185 last week.
There are 14 people in hospital with COVID-19.
No new deaths have been reported.
One thing to know: Health department reviewing fifth COVID-19 vaccine
Australians will consider further vaccination against COVID-19 with new booster recommendations to be made ahead of winter.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is expected to make a decision on the fifth dose within weeks.
Currently, only those who are severely immunocompromised and over 16 are eligible to get the fifth COVID-19 jab.
As federal authorities prepare to recommend a fifth jab, what happens if you have skipped a dose?
We're three years into the COVID-19 pandemic. What might the virus do next?
This week marks three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global public health emergency.
In that time, the virus has spawned five variants of concern, each more transmissible or potent than the last.
Omicron, which emerged in late 2021, has since splintered into hundreds of subvariants — amounting to what's been described as a "variant soup" — and will likely keep splintering into more.
One more thing: Red Cross says all countries 'dangerously unprepared' for future pandemics
The world is "dangerously unprepared" for future pandemics, according to the Red Cross, which is calling on countries to update their plans this year.
In its World Disasters Report 2022, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said "all countries remain dangerously unprepared for future outbreaks" despite COVID-19.
"The next pandemic could be just around the corner," IFRC secretary-general Jagan Chapagain said.
"If the experience of COVID-19 won't quicken our steps toward preparedness, what will?
"There will be no excuse for a continued lack of preparedness after having gone through three terrible years."
The report said countries should review their legislation to ensure it is in line with their pandemic preparedness plans by the end of 2023.
