Health

The challenges posed by the second wave of COVID-19 in India have reignited tensions between the state and federal government over quarantine.

Premier Mark McGowan has announced a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions from midnight tonight, as the state records its second day with no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.

The state's health department has confirmed that a positive test result has been returned this afternoon, the second case of community transmission in WA in 24 hours.

WA has recorded no new local cases of COVID-19, as those in the Perth and Peel regions spend their first day in lockdown.

Premier Mark McGowan has announced a three-day lockdown of the Perth and Peel regions.

Local business VeinTech has taken home a $10,000 prize after winning a prestigious medical technology competition.

Victorian authorities are working to contain a potential COVID-19 outbreak after a Melbourne man tested positive for the virus after landing on a flight from Perth.

Biopharma company MGC Pharmaceuticals has proposed to buy an Israeli clinical research business for $6 million in shares.

UPDATE: National cabinet has agreed to limit repatriation flights from India as that country's COVID-19 infection rate soars.

UPDATE: Australians over the age of 50 will be able to get the AstraZeneca vaccine from next month as the nation's leaders reset the coronavirus jab rollout.

Another half a billion-dollar cheque has been written by the federal government to help Australia foster international partnerships on clean energy technology.

Australia's coronavirus vaccine rollout is facing a critical juncture as Prime Minister Scott Morrison prepares to meet with premiers and chief ministers to rejig the program.

Former treasurer Ben Wyatt has been appointed to the board of medical research organisation Telethon Kids Institute, his first role since leaving from politics.

An investigation is now underway after four Royal Perth Hospital staff were forced into quarantine over two alleged COVID-19 personal protective equipment breaches.

Australia's health experts say even with the proposed reset of the COVID-19 vaccination program there is no way of putting a timetable on its completion.

Hotel quarantine staff will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to work as of next month.

Liberal Party of WA health spokesperson Libby Mettam has blasted the state government over “gaping holes” in the state's infection control system.

Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program is expected to undergo a "big reset" with details to be announced on Thursday.

Australia's chief medical officer has urged people to continue to get vaccinated and not jump to conclusions as investigations continue into a NSW woman's death.

Top doctors have raised serious concerns about Australia's vaccine rollout as major airlines talk up the prospects of more domestic flights and the reopening of international routes.

Australia is set to shift to mass coronavirus vaccination clinics in a bid to roll out more jabs under the troubled immunisation program.

A woman in WA has suffered a case of rare blood clots believed to be linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Thousands of people living and working in specialist disability care are still waiting for their first vaccine doses, eight weeks into the rollout.

A crew member onboard a vessel off waters in the state's north west is being transferred to Royal Perth Hospital this afternoon after testing positive for COVID-19.

Scott Morrison has abandoned plans to give all Australians their first vaccine dose by the end of October.

The state government has banned residents under the age of 50 from getting the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The federal government will revise its national vaccination program, limiting doses of AstraZeneca for those under 50 following concerns about the link between the vaccine and blood clots.

The nation's medical experts are expected to meet to review concerns raised by the European Medicines Agency overnight about the possible link between the vaccine and blood clots.

Scott Morrison has denied criticising the European Union despite blaming a lack of vaccine exports for Australia's slow immunisation rollout.

Brisbane's three-day lockdown was lifted this morning after Queensland recorded just one new case of community transmission of COVID-19, but WA's hard border with the state remains in place.

Despite a return to the resources sector, Kerry Harmanis remains passionate about mindfulness.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has stepped in as peacemaker between the states and some of his federal colleagues after they engaged in a stoush over the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.