Here's a summary of what happened on Friday:
The Northern Territory recorded its first death related to COVID-19: A 78-year-old elder from the small community of Binjari
Queensland announced a new local case late in the day, along with six in quarantine
South Australia and the ACT each reported four new cases
NSW recorded 337 new cases with three new Omicron, and zero deaths
Victoria recorded 1,188 new cases and 11 deaths
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has not changed its advice that Australians get a booster shot six months after their second dose of any COVID vaccine
South African health experts say Omicron is highly transmissible and replacing Delta, but there is no real evidence of an increase in severity
Tasmania announced new rules for entering Tasmania after December 15
Live updates
6h ago6 hours ago
By Jonathan Hepburn
And that's us for today, so good bye and good night
Well, that was a slow one, and no mistake. But the pandemic keeps on ticking on, so take care of yourselves, wash your hands and don't take your health for granted.
This blog (not this exact one, but a blog) will return tomorrow morning, so tune in for more news then or keep an eye on news.abc.net.au for more tonight and every night.
Until next time: Good night.
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6h ago6 hours ago
By Jonathan Hepburn
ACT confirms new Omicron case
ACT Health has confirmed an Omicron COVID-19 infection in the territory – an individual who has not travelled overseas.
The person is fully vaccinated and returned a positive COVID-19 test result on Wednesday, December 1.
Following genome sequencing, the case was today confirmed as the Omicron variant.
It is not yet known if this case was acquired in the ACT or NSW.
Update: Read the story, which will be updated, here.
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6h ago6 hours ago
By Jonathan Hepburn
NSW confirms two more cases of Omicron at Regents Park Christian School
NSW Health is investigating an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at Regents Park Christian School in western Sydney. There is now a total of 13 COVID-19 cases linked to this cluster.
One case had already been confirmed as being the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern. Genomic sequencing has confirmed two more cases are also the Omicron variant. Urgent genome testing is underway on a further 10 cases.
NSW Health is urgently investigating the source of infection for this cluster.
Two more cases of Omicron have been confirmed in returned travellers, the family members of a young girl announced yesterday. The family is isolating in Special Health Accommodation.
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7h ago7 hours ago
By Jonathan Hepburn
Binjari woman's death mourned
Earlier today, it was announced that a 78-year-old woman from Binjari had died with COVID-19, the Northern Territory's first death related to the pandemic.
Aboriginal groups and community leaders have paid their respects to the close-knit community of about 200 people.
Read the full story here.
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7h ago7 hours ago
By Jonathan Hepburn
Can you visit religious gatherings in Queensland while unvaccinated?
Hi!
In QLD, after Dec 17, what is the rule regarding attending religious gatherings (indoors) for people who are unvaccinated? I looked on the QLD Health website but couldn't find anything relevant.
Thank you.
-KM
The key words to search for are "places of worship" and the page you want is right here:
Queensland’s Public Health Measures linked to vaccination status
Under the plan, unvaccinated people are able to:
Access other settings, such as essential retail, other retail, public transport, places of worship, funerals etc. COVID-19 density restrictions may still apply, as per Queensland’s current COVID Safe Future Roadmap.
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8h ago8 hours ago
By Jonathan Hepburn
New case in Queensland, linked to Capalaba exposure sites
A new community case has been confirmed in Queensland.
A public health alert is being issued for contact tracing locations in Capalaba, in the city of Redland, on Brisbane's bayside.
This is in relation to a new case.
Contact tracing and investigation is underway, with more details to be released once available tomorrow.
The exposure sites are for Monday, November 29 and Tuesday, November 30.
⚠️ Public Health Alert ⚠️
New contact tracing locations in:
📍Capalaba
Full details: pic.twitter.com/ztnzs9JnD7
— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) December 3, 2021
https://wakelet.com/wake/kQffh0vDjzlyPwk3JAclc
https://wakelet.com/wake/QVWFnRhWrmXtlG_3Gqu7D
https://wakelet.com/wake/q9r6AmAq0veQ4nSx1pS-P
https://wakelet.com/wake/vnLJAcZ47X2a6Xg4CL_BU
https://wakelet.com/wake/ZBnVnJD9gVXOD6pbae_q5
https://wakelet.com/wake/5WjkDOMjpkRvUE39NOCeu
https://wakelet.com/wake/5mcussnEMTNsROS6lk7O4
https://wakelet.com/wake/ulw9jkK6LNVJ5MjIR6FD8