The Latest Breaking News from Tony Blakely

NZ COVID commission finds mandates mostly justified

Vaccine mandates could have been lifted sooner, according to a New Zealand royal commission into the pandemic response.

AAP · Nov 28, 2024

Do I need a COVID booster? Here’s what the science says

You might not get much protection from another COVID booster. Here's why you should get one anyway.

ABC News · Apr 13, 2023

Queensland raises Covid alert level as summer wave hits eastern states

State recommends return of mask-wearing in high-risk settings as new data shows a 40% spike in NSW cases and hospitalisations

The Guardian - AU · Nov 10, 2022

How are Australia and NZ managing the rising COVID winter wave – and is either getting it right?

New Zealand, Australia and many countries are experiencing a further Omicron wave driven by the latest BA.4/BA.5 subvariants. Our response to this threat is remarkably laissez-faire compared with past approaches, as society has pivoted more to “living with the virus”.

The Conversation · Jul 15, 2022

NSW government to provide free RAT kits to vulnerable as state braces for COVID-19 surge

The New South Wales government will provide free rapid antigen tests to vulnerable communities after a federal government program ends at the end of the month.

ABC News · Jul 14, 2022

Victoria could be hitting the peak of its latest COVID-19 wave. So what comes next?

As Victoria arrives at the peak of its latest wave of infections, pressure is mounting on the government to further ease restrictions, including the controversial vaccine mandate and quarantine obligations for close contacts.

ABC News · Apr 14, 2022

Current COVID-19 wave could protect against new, 'meaner' variant, says Melbourne epidemiologist

While Omicron BA.2 is sending infection numbers back up, epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely says this spate of infections could help prepare us if a new, deadlier variant emerges.

ABC News · Mar 29, 2022

When Omicron peaked, the number of aged care residents dying without COVID-19 jumped too, new data reveals

During the Omicron wave, there was a "highly statistically significant" jump in the number of people who died in aged care without COVID-19, according to a prominent epidemiologist.

ABC News · Mar 22, 2022

Danish data offers hope the COVID-19 pandemic is ending, but experts warn it's not quite over yet

An economist who has been analysing COVID-19 statistics since the start of the pandemic believes the latest Omicron strain may mark its end in highly vaccinated countries, but local epidemiologists warn COVID-19 could still have some nasty surprises.

ABC News · Feb 8, 2022

Potential expansion of Victoria's mandatory third COVID-19 vaccine dose stokes a political divide

While some experts say mandatory third COVID-19 doses are justified to curb Omicron's spread, Victoria's opposition has made it clear it won't be backing any further expansion of mandatory vaccination.

ABC News · Feb 1, 2022