The Latest Breaking News from Mike Toole

Scientists push to change COVID-19 antiviral guidelines to make medication more accessible in Australia

Some scientists say Australia's guidelines on who can get antivirals is too restrictive. But the federal health department says our use of antivirals is only marginally less than the US.

ABC News · Mar 20, 2023

As some experts and long-COVID sufferers call for antivirals to be more accessible, others say the science isn't proven yet

Some long COVID sufferers are paying thousands of dollars for COVID-19 antivirals, hoping they will lessen their symptoms during reinfections. While some experts say it's time to allow more Australia access to subsidised medications, others say more research is needed.

ABC News · Dec 29, 2022

From bail reform to Covid: the five issues missing from the Victoria state election campaign

Amid the pledges for new hospitals, power bill relief and $2 public transport fares, other important matters have been noticeably absent

The Guardian - AU · Nov 23, 2022

Pandemic burnout: how Australians are navigating the current Covid wave

With governments resistant to further Covid restrictions, we spoke to six members of the public to see how they are living with Omicron

The Guardian - AU · Jul 24, 2022

Since the pandemic began, more than 10,000 Australians have died of COVID-19 and, if this year's trend continues, it could get a lot worse

An epidemiologist has warned that if current trends continue, at least another 7,500 Australians will die from COVID-19 by the end of the year.

ABC News · Jul 5, 2022

Calls to expand access to Covid antivirals in Australia splits experts and doctors

Health minister encourages Paxlovid and Lagevrio use, but peak GP body cautions Paxlovid can have side-effects if taken with some other drugs

The Guardian - AU · Jun 24, 2022

Epidemiologists split over easing of Covid restrictions in NSW and Victoria

While business groups celebrate change to isolation rules, some experts remain cautious

The Guardian - AU · Apr 20, 2022

More Australians are reporting catching COVID-19 twice, but there's limited data on reinfections

A growing number of Australians are reporting catching COVID-19 twice but with no national data, it's hard to say how common that is. Experts want people who've recovered from the virus to know it's possible to get it again.

ABC News · Apr 5, 2022

Australians with the most to fear from Omicron living in ‘permanent lockdown’

With case numbers rising once more and health restrictions lowered country-wide, the vulnerable feel isolated by rhetoric on opening up

The Guardian - AU · Mar 25, 2022

When will Queensland reach its COVID-19 Omicron peak and what will happen next?

There are signs the peak of Queensland's COVID-19 Omicron wave is close, but even after it passes, the virus isn't going away.

ABC News · Jan 24, 2022