Podcasts by Coronacast
Coronacast is a podcast that answers your questions about coronavirus. We break down the latest news and research to help you understand how the world is living through a pandemic.
Further podcasts by ABC News
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I'm worried about how worried I am from 2022-02-20T14:01
As we move to the next phases of the pandemic, there are many people who are yet to make the psychological jump and mental readjustment to a different life.
Many are only mildly anxious, b...
Exponential growth gets there eventually from 2022-02-17T14:01
It's taken several weeks, but the number of new COVID-19 cases in Western Australia is now increasing rapidly.
At the start of February, WA had a 7-day average of 19 cases a day. Now that ...
Four scenarios for the pandemic's next phase from 2022-02-15T14:01
So, where's this pandemic actually heading? It's a good question and quite hard to answer as... well... no one can tell you the future.
But experts have never shied away from making some e...
How do we sidestep the next pandemic? from 2022-02-13T14:01
When COVID burst onto the scene in late 2019, it came as a shock to most of the world's population and we've all been dealing with it ever since.
But to many researchers, it was less of a ...
It's OFFICIAL: you now need THREE doses from 2022-02-10T14:01
For months now, experts have been saying we'll need three doses to be protected from coronavirus, especially the Omicron variant.
And now, it's official.
Yesterday, the rules cha...
An unexpected COVID crisis from 2022-02-08T14:01
Two years into the pandemic, we're still discovering new things about COVID almost daily.
The latest is what COVID can do to your heart, a year after you've been infected.
A huge...
How will fancy new antivirals help fight COVID? from 2022-02-06T14:01
When it comes to ways to fight COVID-19, vaccines have been the main tool we've used so far during the pandemic.
But new antivirals are being produced for use including in Australia which ...
Wishful thinking and the end of the pandemic from 2022-02-03T14:01
As the Omicron wave continues to subside, there's the temptation to hope that now that it's over, the whole pandemic is done.
And while we can dream that it's true, hoping unfortunately wo...
The brothers and sisters of Omicron from 2022-02-01T14:01
Looking at the family tree of coronavirus is a bit like taking a trip down memory lane.
The whole crew is there including the famous ones like Alpha, Beta and Delta, and the ones that neve...
The great big lull after Omicron from 2022-01-27T14:01
As the scary peaks in all states and territories in Australia, except WA, seems to be behind us, there is now a new sense of calm.
Daily coronavirus cases seem to be falling for now, and t...
Is the death rate too high? from 2022-01-20T14:01
The number of people dying from COVID hit a record high this week, as large case numbers continue in most states and territories.
It comes as no surprise then that NSW and Victoria announc...
Is Omicron the last variant? from 2022-01-13T14:01
We're all no doubt very tired of the pandemic by now and could be forgiven for hoping now that Omicron has landed in Australia, once we get over the current outbreak it's all over.
But acc...
We're back! Now, when will the outbreak peak?! from 2022-01-06T14:01
Well, that escalated quickly.
When Coronacast left you last year, there were nearly 4000 national daily cases. Yesterday, there were more than 72,000 and there's no sign it's slowing down....
See ya 2021. What does 2022 have in store? from 2021-12-16T14:01
It's been a massive year for coronavirus and COVID-19.
There have been outbreaks, lockdowns and a pile of new variants.
But there have also been massive successes like the vast m...
Wowsers, 25,000 cases a day? from 2021-12-15T14:01
As COVID numbers continue to rapidly increase in NSW - likely due to the Omicron variant - we're being warned that modelling is pointing to 25,000 cases a day by the end of January.
Yester...
Is NSW going to the dogs? (And does it matter?) from 2021-12-14T14:01
There was a large jump in COVID cases in NSW yesterday, and while we're largely moving on from day to day case numbers - this one is worth talking about.
Why? Well, there's a new variant i...
All our (travel) bubbles are bursting. What comes next? from 2021-12-13T14:01
After nearly two years of constant internal border changes, by the end of this week large parts of Australia will once again be open for domestic travel.
South Australia opened a few weeks...
Why is the Moderna booster a half shot? from 2021-12-12T14:01
Australia now has two different booster options to choose from when the inevitable time comes for the third dose of coronavirus vaccine.
Moderna was approved by the country's vaccine exper...
All roads lead to third doses from 2021-12-09T14:01
As the data from initial studies into how Omicron evades our immunity continue to flow in, it's becoming more and more likely that a third dose - or booster - is going to be essential.
Sev...
Omicron evades vaccines, but not all is lost from 2021-12-08T14:01
One of the first studies into Omicron and immunity has reported back and it's not super great news: there's significant evasion of antibodies produced by the Pfizer vaccine.
But not all is...
Do vaccinated people get long COVID? from 2021-12-07T14:01
Beyond the nasty and sometimes life-threatening symptoms that COVID can bring, there's another risk: long COVID.
It's the collection of prolonged symptoms including brain fog, smell loss ...
When (and how) will we know if Omicron is taking over? from 2021-12-06T14:01
Over the next several months, the fight between Delta and Omicron is going to be scientifically fascinating.
In the red corner is the current world champion Delta, which easily beat out ev...
Omicron's latest clues are a bit concerning from 2021-12-05T14:01
It's been a bit more than a week since we learned of Omicron, the newest coronavirus variant of concern.
And while we're still a while from knowing solid answers, the world's scientists ha...
Pfizer, Moderna, au naturale? What works best! from 2021-12-02T14:01
Just like we're likely going to be stuck with COVID for the rest of our lives, we're probably also going to be stuck wondering which is the most effective vaccine to protect against it.
We...
Can Omicron evade our vaccines? from 2021-12-01T14:01
As the days tick by since Omicron was discovered, it's slowly spreading around the world.
One example is reports of a couple of Israeli doctors who likely picked up Omicron in the United K...
Do we really know yet if Omicron is "milder"? from 2021-11-30T14:01
Nearly two years into the global coronavirus pandemic, it's probably safe to say that we're all pretty much ready for it to be done.
So no wonder we're hoping that very early reports from ...
The three theories of Omicron's origin from 2021-11-29T14:01
As the world desperately awaits news from scientists on anything Omicron, some experts have started thinking about where the variant might have come from.
One theory is that it's from some...
Hello Omicron. Goodbye Delta? from 2021-11-28T14:01
It's the news we didn't want: There's a new variant of concern in town and it's got all sorts of mutations just where you don't want them.
It's also got a new fancy name: Omicron, and it's...
How does COVID rank against other pandemics? from 2021-11-25T14:01
As pandemics go, the coronavirus one is pretty big. It rapidly spread around the world, and is still causing problems.
But how does it compare to past pandemics? Are we actually living in ...
At 90%, what's the point of mandating vaccination? from 2021-11-24T14:01
All around the country at the moment are family discussions and debates about what to do about that one relative or friend who still doesn't want to get vaccinated.
The numbers of double v...
Will vaccination cause new variants? from 2021-11-23T14:01
When the slew of variants popped into existence last year, scientists began worrying what it could mean for vaccine resistant variants down the line.
So far, the Delta variant has remained...
COVID isn't the only thing coming this summer from 2021-11-22T14:01
As we start to reopen to the world, it's inevitable that we'll start to see more cases of COVID-19 travel over our international and domestic borders.
But it's far from the only bug that w...
Why it's not worth waiting for Novavax from 2021-11-21T14:01
It's become a common claim among people who are still COVID-19 vaccine hesitant, that they say they're "waiting for Novavax".
While there are currently three safe and effective vaccines av...
Why is Indigenous vaccination so patchy? from 2021-11-18T14:01
The head of the umbrella organisation for Australia's Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations says she's nervous about the country's reopening over the next month.
CEO of NACC...
Don't be scared of bird flu headlines... yet from 2021-11-17T14:01
For obvious reasons, pandemics are pretty hot news right now.
And it seems every few weeks, we see headlines about a possible new outbreak of potentially pandemic proportions.
Tha...
The NT's worst local COVID-19 day ever from 2021-11-16T14:01
When the NT's Chief Minister Michael Gunner held the COVID-19 press conference yesterday, he revealed news that many have been dreading.
A significant cluster of COVID has been detected, a...
One week until SA throws open the doors from 2021-11-15T14:01
Nerves are running high in South Australia, as the state is now only one week away from opening the doors and inevitably letting COVID in.
South Australia is leading the way for zero-COVID...
Europe's first winter with Delta is already looking grim from 2021-11-14T14:01
Australians know full well that the Delta variant loves winter.
As the weather warms up here things are looking up, but overseas it's getting colder and case numbers in Europe are rising.<...
Shouldn't Victoria's numbers be falling by now? from 2021-11-11T14:01
When it was clear that the daily new COVID cases in Victoria had peaked, there was hope and speculation that the numbers would drop off quickly like what happened in NSW.
But sadly, we're ...
How do I talk to people who don't want to be vaccinated? from 2021-11-10T14:01
As vaccination rates increase and restrictions ease, plenty of us are starting to make plans for the Christmas and New Year breaks.
But in most of Australia, restrictions aren't easing for...
Let's dust off the crystal ball! from 2021-11-09T14:01
With the news that NSW has hit 90 percent double vaccination in 16+, with other parts of the country to follow soon, you could be forgiven for thinking that the pandemic is finally over.
B...
Keeping schools open through COVID outbreaks from 2021-11-08T14:01
When the Doherty model was released a few months ago, it set Australia on a path to reopening at various stages of vaccination.
Now that the country has hit 80 per cent double dose for 16+...
A lot of little kids are getting COVID. Why? from 2021-11-07T14:01
The largest age group of active COVID cases in Victoria at the moment are kids, under 9 years old.
While hard to compare directly, it's a similar story in NSW.
Kids are currently...
How many people have really died from COVID? from 2021-11-04T14:01
The world passed a grim milestone a few days ago: 5 million deaths from COVID-19 and counting.
But the reality is, that the actual deaths from the pandemic are much, much higher.
...
Let's talk about kids and vaccine side effects from 2021-11-03T14:01
A program to vaccinate children in the United States has come closer to reality, after the CDC endorseds the use of COVID-19 shots in kids from 5 to 11.
Australian health authorities and r...
Is NSW going to run out of people to vaccinate? from 2021-11-02T14:01
The rules for fully vaccinated people in NSW are changing for the better next week, with a bunch of restrictions being lifted early thanks to high vaccination rates.
But the unvaccinated w...
Why so long between scary variants? from 2021-11-01T14:01
It was in early May when the Delta variant was officially listed as a variant of concern.
Delta turned out to be far more contagious than previous variants, and challenged Australia's publ...
Finally we can test ourselves at home! from 2021-10-31T14:01
From today, you can buy rapid antigen tests from the shop and use them on yourself to see if you've got COVID-19 or not.
Previously, the home, general-public use of antigen tests wasn't av...
Boy do you have booster questions! Let's answer some from 2021-10-28T14:01
Australians over 18 years of age who've waited six months from their second COVID vaccine will be given the chance to grab a booster shot if they want one.
While the focus will be on aged ...
Should a 3rd dose be required to be FULLY vaccinated? from 2021-10-27T14:01
Australia's expert vaccination panel may soon tick off on a major expansion to the country's coronavirus vaccination program, paving the way for third doses to be administered.
Yesterday, ...
Will vaccines stop me getting long COVID? from 2021-10-26T14:01
One of the big unknowns with coronavirus is why some people are left with symptoms from the illness long after they test negative.
It's known as long COVID, and studies overseas suggest it...
How do I protect the vulnerable people I love? from 2021-10-25T14:01
As more states open their borders in coming months, more COVID than ever will be circulating through the community.
Vaccines will help protect many of us, but for vulnerable people - like...
How will we know if we're reopening too fast? from 2021-10-24T14:01
As more and more of the country is vaccinated, state and territory governments are starting to outline which restrictions we will lose when we reach very high levels of coverage.
Over the ...
Norman's moving the goal posts again everyone from 2021-10-21T14:01
There's been all sorts of vaccination targets bandied about over the last year: 70 per cent, 80 per cent, 16+ eligibility, 12+ eligibility. It never seems to end.
But what if - and this mi...
Reopening with thousands of cases a day from 2021-10-20T14:01
Greater Melbourne will finally come out of lockdown a minute before the strike of midnight tonight, which will be a huge relief to millions of people.
But the city comes out of lockdown wi...
A third dose? When will it end! from 2021-10-19T14:01
When the various states and territories report their daily vaccination rates as a mix of single and double doses, should they perhaps also be adding in third doses?
The COVID-19 vaccines i...
Queensland sets the date to end COVID-zero from 2021-10-18T14:01
Until now, a lot of the worry about COVID-19 in Australia has been about how zero-COVID states will rejoin NSW, Victoria and the ACT.
Well yesterday, Queensland put its plan forward saying...
The end of Victoria's lockdown era is finally here from 2021-10-17T14:01
Victoria's lockdown will end this Thursday night, when the state expects to reach its first vaccine goal of 70 per cent double vaccinated.
Reasons to leave the home and the curfew will be ...
What's coming after Delta? from 2021-10-14T14:01
The arrival of the Delta variant really was a massive curveball that few experts saw coming.
It ripped through populations overseas and quickly punched holes in Fortress Australia.
What's COVID done to the world's mental health? from 2021-10-13T14:01
It's sometimes easy to forget that the COVID-19 pandemic affects more than just physical health. It also taken a massive toll on mental health.
And according to some new research, the two ...
What do zero-COVID states have ahead of them? from 2021-10-12T14:01
A lot of the discussion about COVID lately has been on the big outbreaks in NSW, Victoria and the ACT, and less about states that don't have current outbreaks.
But as states like WA, Queen...
Are we all just going to get COVID eventually? from 2021-10-11T14:01
While COVID-19 is currently in two of Australia's states and the ACT, the reality is eventually it will get everywhere.
And eventually, the theory goes, COVID-19 will infect everyone.
Listen
OMG lockdown's lifting and I'm just not ready from 2021-10-10T14:01
Many restrictions are being lifted in NSW today, after the state last week hit the 70 percent double vaccination target.
For many, it's a time to reconnect with loved ones and start to liv...
NSW's bigger than expected step out of lockdown from 2021-10-07T14:01
NSW will take its first step out of lockdown on Monday, and it'll be slightly bigger than expected.
The state's new Premier has made some small changes in relation to what fully vaccinated...
Life as a vaccinated close contact... from 2021-10-06T14:01
As case numbers continue to decline in NSW and the date for opening up gets closer, the state has started to provide details on how isolation requirements for close contacts might work for the vacc...
Listen
Where is Victoria's peak? from 2021-10-05T14:01
Victoria posted a new national record for new COVID cases day yesterday, with 1763 cases.
There have been a number of worrying big days recently, and there are few signs that the outbreak ...
The vaccine is working! Here's how we can tell from 2021-10-04T14:01
NSW is only days away from hitting the 70 per cent double dose vaccination figure, which will see the city begin its reopening from early next week.
And while Victoria is a few weeks behin...
Faster to lockdown - so why is the curve the same? from 2021-09-30T15:01
'Go hard, go early' was the playbook when there was a Delta outbreak in Victoria in early August.
But nearly two months later the state is on the same curve as NSW was.
So why is ...
How are Australia's outbreaks tracking? from 2021-09-29T15:01
The outbreaks in NSW and Victoria are now large enough that it's impossible to follow what's happening with the detail that we once used to be able to.
But one thing that we should keep an...
What does DIY COVID testing mean for the months ahead? from 2021-09-28T15:01
The medicines regulator in Australia has paved the way for home-testing COVID-19 kits to be made available from November 1st.
Currently, the most common way people are tested for COVID is ...
What can the world tell us about reopening? from 2021-09-27T15:01
With nearly 52 per cent of Australians over 16 years now fully vaccinated, there is more and more talk about opening up once it's safe.
But there are other parts of the world that are a bi...
Are vaccines better at preventing infection than we thought? from 2021-09-26T15:01
Australia's vaccination rate increasing over the weeks has been a thing of beauty to watch, and hopefully soon will help pay out dividends.
But along with helping prevent the hospital syst...
Is the path out of lockdowns a one-way street? from 2021-09-16T15:01
*** AFTER THIS EPISODE, WE'RE TAKING A WEEK OFF! WE'LL BACK ON THE 27TH SEPTEMBER! ***
Victorians have hit their first big vaccine milestone of 70 percent first dose coverage, and have bee...
Is the NSW curve bending or flattening? from 2021-09-15T15:01
NSW yesterday hit a new milestone for vaccination in Australia.
More than 80 per cent of the state has now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it's still rocketing along.
<...
Why vaccinated people shouldn't have more freedoms (quite yet) from 2021-09-14T15:01
Fully vaccinated people in NSW are counting down the days until they can get some additional freedoms when the state reaches the 70 per cent vaccination rate.
But some experts are warning ...
Even with high vaccination, we might need more ... from 2021-09-13T15:01
We keep hearing that vaccination might not be enough to get us out of the grip of COVID - so what will be enough?
Well, a new group of Australian experts has taken a stab at the types of ...
Moderna is coming! What is it again? from 2021-09-12T15:01
A new vaccine will be arriving next week in Australia, to help bolster vaccine rates and protect Australians from COVID-19.
The Moderna vaccine, known by its brand name Spikevax or by its ...
NSW's big (risky?) leap to reopening! from 2021-09-09T15:01
The NSW Government has released its plan on what will happen once the state passes the 70 per cent double-vaccination target.
Changes for fully vaccinated people include abilities to visit...
What might the next few weeks look like? from 2021-09-08T15:01
After a massive few months of outbreaks and lockdowns popping up across the country, things seem to have stabilised a bit lately.
While health authorities remain on alert around the nation...
I know the vaccine will protect me, but will it protect others? from 2021-09-07T15:01
We keep hearing that the coronavirus vaccine isn't 100 per cent effective in stopping transmission of the virus from one person to another.
And so you could be forgiven for thinking, well ...
Why aren't more Indigenous people vaccinated? from 2021-09-06T15:01
As we race towards our national COVID-19 vaccination targets, it's sometimes easy to forget that broad averages like 70 and 80 per cent don't always tell the full story.
One area in partic...
Is it fair to wait to reopen until kids are vaccinated? from 2021-09-05T15:01
As Australia's vaccine rollout continues to grow, and more people get the opportunity to be vaccinated, attention is turning to those who can't.
From the 13th September, kids aged 12-15 ca...
Boost me baby! Should we all actually have three doses? from 2021-09-02T15:01
It's well known by now that you need to have both doses of whatever vaccine you have for the best possible protection against coronavirus.
But what if it actually takes three shots to get ...
Victoria gives up on donut days forever from 2021-09-01T15:01
There are to be no large changes to Victoria's lockdown restrictions, after a large jump in cases overnight and Government acceptance that the Delta outbreak can't be brought back to zero.
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From COVID-zero to the ultimate balancing act from 2021-08-31T15:01
The Victorian Government will today announce details around how it plans to manage COVID-19 cases as it rushes to vaccinate as many people as possible.
Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews sa...
Why is the "worst month" for NSW in October? from 2021-08-30T15:01
It was another record day yesterday for NSW in COVID-19 cases, and the wave is showing no signs of slowing down.
And yesterday in even more grim news, the Premier Gladys Berejiklian flagge...
Didn't Victoria do everything right? from 2021-08-29T15:01
Case numbers in both Victoria and NSW continue to climb, with both states yesterday posting new daily records for this year.
While Victoria's daily cases are far behind NSW, Victoria is on...
Despite 1000+ cases, a sliver of freedom for NSW from 2021-08-26T15:01
Fully vaccinated NSW residents will be given a very small increase in freedoms, after the state reached more than 6 million vaccination doses earlier this week.
The state's Premier Gladys ...
Does Pfizer wear off more quickly? from 2021-08-25T15:01
You might have heard a friend or family member say 'I'm waiting for Pfizer', on the assumption that the mRNA vaccine works better than others.
But according to a recent study from the Univ...
What are the assumptions in the Doherty Model? from 2021-08-24T15:01
The Doherty Institute Model is the hottest ticket in town, with everyone from politicians to punters talking about what happens when we reach 70 and 80 per cent vaccination levels.
But the...
Are kids getting sicker with Delta? from 2021-08-23T15:01
A glance at the headlines reveals some worrying news: it seems the Delta coronavirus variant is affecting young people and kids far more than previous strains.
And it's true, but while mor...
Australia's vaccination rollout goes for gold! from 2021-08-22T15:01
Australia's vaccine rollout got off to a rough start. It slow to begin and was plagued with problems regarding patchy supply and shifting eligibility.
But in the last few weeks, we've real...
If COVID was a play, what act are we in? from 2021-08-19T15:01
If there's one thing that's become a feature of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's that it has seemed to drag on and on.
While it seems like a long time ago, it was only early last year when the ...
Why it's so bad when COVID gets into the regions from 2021-08-18T15:01
As the COVID-19 case numbers in Sydney continue to rise exponentially, regional NSW is also busy battling the spread of the virus.
Of the 633 cases yesterday, there were 23 cases from west...
Three scenarios for our future with COVID from 2021-08-17T15:01
As we can see from what's happening around the country, the Delta variant has changed the game when it comes to controlling the spread of coronavirus.
It seems unlikely Sydney will ever re...
COVID infiltrates the capital. Can Sydney stop the spread? from 2021-08-12T15:01
The ACT is in a week-long lockdown, joining many other regional NSW local government areas and Melbourne on their journey to stopping Delta.
The ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman ...
Could the world eradicate COVID-19? from 2021-08-11T15:01
It sounds impossible: the complete and utter annihilation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, worldwide. Almost too silly to even mention.
Well, according to a research paper published in the British...
Are the rules different for Sydney's Delta fight? from 2021-08-10T15:01
If you've been following the daily COVID-19 case numbers in Sydney, you'll know the numbers are steadily increasing.
So far, despite a lockdown lasting weeks and weeks, the NSW Government'...
How do we keep kids safe if they can't get vaccinated? from 2021-08-09T15:01
The nation's vaccine goals are all about getting 70 to 80 per cent of people aged 16 or more vaccinated.
But that still leaves large numbers of people who aren't vaccinated, and the vast m...
The new reality of short, sharp lockdowns from 2021-08-08T15:01
It seems short, sharp lockdowns are the new black, and are now being used regularly down the east coast of mainland Australia.
Brisbane's short, sharp lockdown lifted yesterday, but Victor...
Why not make vaccinations mandatory? (for certain jobs?) from 2021-08-05T15:01
As Australia's march towards higher and higher rates of vaccination rolls on, more and more ideas are being thrown around to try and convince eligible people to get the jab.
Yesterday, fru...
Give me some hope Doc! from 2021-08-04T15:01
With the coronavirus outbreak in NSW not yet showing many signs of getting better, and another outbreak in Queensland growing by the day - it's all a bit depressing
But there is good news:...
The official modelling is out! Now what?! from 2021-08-03T15:01
If you thought we've suddenly been awash with modelling on the best way forward for Australia's response to coronavirus and how to reach so-called herd immunity you'd be right.
But yesterd...
What is it like inside Sydney's ICU wards? from 2021-08-02T15:01
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Sydney continues to grow, so do the numbers of people in hospital and intensive care.
Currently, there are 232 COVID-19 cases in hospital in NSW. 54 of t...
Is 70 per cent fully vaccinated enough? from 2021-08-01T15:01
Australia is planning on taking the next big steps in its response to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Federal Government last week released a four-stage plan on how we'll manage virus...
The magic number to end lockdowns forever from 2021-07-29T15:01
Do you like the sound of no more lockdowns? What about minimal to no restrictions on day-to-day life?
We constantly hear vaccination is our way out of this bloody pandemic, but just how ma...
Another four weeks. Will it change things? from 2021-07-28T15:01
Sydneysiders face another four weeks in lockdown, as health authorities desperately try to bend the curve of coronavirus infections.
While there has been some tightening of restrictions, e...
What next for Sydney's lockdown? from 2021-07-27T15:01
As lockdowns lift in Victoria and South Australia overnight, big problems remain in New South Wales.
A week ago, NSW had posted 110 locally acquired cases.
Yesterday, it recorded...
Is Delta deadlier for younger people? from 2021-07-26T15:01
As new coronavirus variants come onto the scene, it forces us to revisit what we know about COVID-19 and how to deal with it.
We already know the Delta variant is more infectious, but is i...
Why are 40% of Australians in their 60s not vaccinated yet? from 2021-07-25T15:01
While millions of young people wait for enough vaccine to arrive in the country, there are still large numbers of people who are eligible today that haven't yet gotten a shot.
According to...
What if NSW can't get it under control? from 2021-07-22T15:01
A lot is riding on NSW being able to get its hand around its COVID-19 outbreak and bring it all back under control, but there's no guarantee that it'll be able to do it.
And there are huge...
What can we learn from the UK's Freedom Day? from 2021-07-21T15:01
Ever since the pandemic begun, we've all be looking forward to the day it's finally over.
As Australia grapples with Delta outbreaks in three capital cities, other places in the world - li...
Is Delta changing the way we go into lockdown? from 2021-07-20T15:01
South Australia has spent the first night of a week long lockdown after discovering a bunch of community cases of the highly infectious Delta variant.
It's a different way of handling an o...
The quick, cheap test coming to a stadium near you? from 2021-07-19T15:01
The standard way of testing for coronavirus is to shove a swab up your nose, and then run the sample through sensitive equipment in a pathology lab.
But while its the gold standard way of ...
It's not getting worse... but it's also not getting better from 2021-07-18T15:01
COVID-19 is in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment.
It's not getting worse in Sydney, but then again despite lockdowns now going for several weeks it's not getting better yet either.<...
All for one, and one for all? from 2021-07-15T15:01
With Australia's two biggest cities now in lockdown, you'd be forgiven for wondering when is this all going to end.
Lockdowns are an incredibly blunt tool to control pandemics, but in many...
From Sydney to Melbourne... from 2021-07-14T15:01
It should be clear by now that coronavirus, especially the Delta variant, is incredibly infectious.
Victoria is the latest state to get hit, after the Delta variant found its way in two di...
A dip in numbers! Let's hope it's a trend from 2021-07-13T15:01
Every day when cases fall is a good day, and in NSW yesterday the numbers reduced in two key areas.
The first was the total number of new cases, and the second was the number of people out...
The modelling is in. How long might Sydney's lockdown last? from 2021-07-12T15:01
Knowing for sure how long a lockdown will last is almost impossible, but scientific modelling might help us at least get a ballpark idea.
NSW yesterday recorded 112 new COVID-19 cases, des...
How much worse is it going to get? from 2021-07-11T15:01
It's certainly taken a turn for the worse in Sydney, with the number of COVID-19 cases per day doubling over the last four to five days.
We've heard that it's going to get worse before it ...
Why Sydney's lockdown could grumble along for a while from 2021-07-08T15:01
Nearly two weeks into Sydney's lockdown, and yesterday the state has recorded its highest daily number of COVID-19 cases in the outbreak so far.
It's not good news for residents, as many o...
Why does Sydney need another week? from 2021-07-07T15:01
Sadly, greater Sydney and surrounding areas are to spend another week in lockdown after COVID-19 cases have refused to come down to more comfortable levels.
The NSW Premier Gladys Berejikl...
Sydney's big moment: will lockdown lift? from 2021-07-06T15:01
It's been over a week and a bit since greater Sydney and surrounds were put into lockdown to battle the Delta outbreak which started three weeks ago.
While case numbers haven't soared over...
Let's jump ahead 12 months from 2021-07-05T15:00
With all the uncertainties a pandemic brings, it's sometimes worth remembering that it will one day be over.
It might not be tomorrow, but it will eventually end - and one of the main ways...
Three lockdowns end! Will Sydney soon follow? from 2021-07-04T15:01
Over the weekend, lockdowns ended in WA, NT and Queensland - leaving only Greater Sydney and surrounding areas with heavy restrictions.
New South Wales' health authorities have been battli...
How are Australia's outbreaks looking one week in? from 2021-07-01T15:01
As we well know with coronavirus by now, sometimes you just have wait to see if things will get better - or worse.
We're nearly a week in since COVID-19 exploded across the country, with o...
How did we get into this position with vaccines? from 2021-06-30T15:01
If there's one thing everyone can agree on regarding Australia's vaccine rollout it's that it's a bit of a mess.
As politicians, health authorities and health experts seem to give conflic...
I'm under 40. Should I get the Astra vaccine? from 2021-06-29T15:01
Much has been said about the AstraZeneca vaccine over the past year.
We've discussed its production, distribution, efficacy, link to rare blood clots, availability and everything else in b...
Will lockdown need to be longer in the age of Delta? from 2021-06-28T15:01
Sydneysiders are being warned to expect daily case numbers to jump around over the next few days, as the scale of the outbreak becomes clearer.
In other states and territories, the outbrea...
How did it all go so bad so quickly? from 2021-06-27T15:01
If you haven't been paying attention to the news over the weekend, there's some bad news.
Sydney is in lockdown. Darwin is too. And there's new restrictions for Perth.
Rather quic...
I've been vaccinated, why can't I do what I want? from 2021-06-24T15:01
As Sydney's outbreak continues to grow, so do the number of people who have been fully vaccinated.
But, as more people are vaccinated - many are wondering, since they're fully vaccinated, ...
Sydney's outbreak grows from bad to worse from 2021-06-23T15:01
People living in Sydney and surrounding cities are living under much heavier restrictions today, after the COVID-19 outbreak significantly worsened yesterday.
There are now serious limits ...
Is Sydney going to need a lockdown? from 2021-06-22T15:01
There's been a rather large jump in the number of COVID-19 cases in Sydney, with the cluster growing beyond 20 people.
While the majority of the cases reported yesterday were already in is...
Why can't I just switch to Pfizer now? from 2021-06-21T15:01
While it's still too early to know how many people have cancelled their second Astra dose, doctors are urging people to make sure they receive both doses of the same vaccine.
The risk of s...
Ok let's talk about fleetingness. Is it more infectious? from 2021-06-20T15:01
There's been a lot of talk over the last several weeks about how the coronavirus variants in Melbourne and Sydney is transmitting in more "fleeting" contact than we've previously seen.
The...
I've had my first Astra shot. What now? from 2021-06-17T15:01
The national vaccine rollout has suffered another setback, with the federal government now saying that only people over 60 years should get the AstraZeneca vaccine.
It's likely to set the ...
The sneaky leaky virus always finds a way from 2021-06-16T15:01
NSW Health authorities are dealing with a new COVID-19 outbreak that appears to have slipped through our borders via a driver who transports international flight crew.
And late on Tuesday,...
Can Novavax save Australia's vaccine rollout? from 2021-06-15T15:01
The clinical trial results are in for another coronavirus vaccine, this one made by the company Novavax, and at first glance they look really good.
We say first glance because the results ...
Will lockdowns and restrictions end when we're vaccinated? from 2021-06-10T15:00
We know that vaccination is the fastest way out of this pandemic, and the sooner we can get the jab the sooner we're protected.
But according to modelling from the Burnet Institute, even w...
Goodbye Alpha. Hello Delta. from 2021-06-09T15:01
There are lots of words that are used to describe the Delta coronavirus variant: highly contagious, very infectious, fast moving.
But maybe it's time to add the word successful.
T...
A hotel trip to write home about! from 2021-06-08T15:01
It sounds like a lovely holiday: a week or two in Melbourne, see the sights before travelling north to the picturesque sandy beaches of Jervis Bay.
Well, it's nice if you're a person. If i...
What's worse: big numbers or one mystery case? from 2021-06-07T15:01
As the days count down to Thursday, the question on everyone's mind is: will Victoria come out of lockdown or do they need a bit longer?
Every day, health authorities say they're taking it...
So where's all this heading by Thursday? from 2021-06-06T15:01
Over the last few days in Victoria, there have been low numbers of new COVID cases - but every new case is not the same.
Recently, many of them are people already in quarantine, which sho...
Is the Kappa variant really more infectious? from 2021-06-03T15:01
The situation in Victoria improved slightly yesterday, with only a few cases and all being linked to people already in quarantine.
Residents of Melbourne and health authorities will be hop...
Seven days in, seven more to go from 2021-06-02T15:01
The initial seven day lockdown in Melbourne has not been enough to get control of the outbreak in the city.
As a result, Melbournians will need to do at least another seven days to give he...
How casual can a contact be? from 2021-06-01T15:01
Health authorities in Victoria sounded slightly more upbeat yesterday, thanks to no new cases being posted from the aged care sector.
But worryingly, there are still mystery cases to sort ...
How could we let an aged care outbreak happen again? from 2021-05-31T15:01
The second wave in Victoria in 2020 revealed aged care to be a major vulnerability in Australia's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Of the many hundreds of deaths from the second wave,...
But vaccination is a race, isn't it? from 2021-05-30T18:01
As Melbourne entered its third day of lockdown, the news came that many were dreading: coronavirus had made it back into an aged care facility and it was a mystery case.
The health care wo...
18 seconds into hell from 2021-05-27T15:01
Victoria is back where it least wanted to be: in lockdown. And this time it'll last for seven days.
Perhaps a bit lost among the debate over vaccinations and contact tracing is the fact th...
Australia's been caught with its pants down from 2021-05-26T15:01
It often takes a crisis to expose all the weak points in a system, and this week's coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne has done just that.
The whole thing started with yet another breach of ...
The urgent search for Melbourne's missing link from 2021-05-25T15:01
What started with just four coronavirus cases in Melbourne a few days ago has now more than doubled, as close contacts are tracked down, isolated and tested.
While cases are being linked t...
Melbourne's outbreak and the coming winds of winter from 2021-05-24T18:01
Several cases of community transmission of coronavirus have been detected in Melbourne, as authorities rush to identify exposure sites and close contacts.
While we brace for more cases, mu...
As the Indian variant takes over, some good news from 2021-05-23T18:01
The so-called Indian coronavirus variant B617 is on a mission to take over the world, and it appears that it's slowly achieving that goal.
According to recent data from the UK, it's edging...
Why should I bother getting AstraZeneca today? from 2021-05-20T18:01
Congratulations, you're eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine! Since you're over 50, that means you're going to be offered AstraZeneca.
But as many Australians are asking, why aren't you bein...
Your amazing ideas to get Australia vaccinated! from 2021-05-19T18:01
When we asked for your advertising campaign ideas to get Australia vaccinated, we never expected such an amazing response.
Coronacast listeners from across Australia and the world have wri...
How would you sell Australia's vaccination campaign? from 2021-05-18T18:01
While it's great to see that the number of Australians vaccinated against COVID-19 rises by the day, it's still far from the numbers needed to get it done by the end of the year.
So perhap...
Two doses, two different vaccines: Does it work? from 2021-05-17T18:01
When you're scheduled in for your COVID vaccine, depending on your age you'll get two doses of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer.
But what if you had one brand, and for your secord shot you had...
Why is there suddenly so much talk about the border reopening? from 2021-05-16T18:01
The transition from Australia being pretty much free of COVID to reopening the border and allowing it in, is a complicated and fraught issue.
The country will eventually have to rejoin the...
Does the 617 variant change everything? from 2021-05-13T15:01
The coronavirus variant sweeping through India appears to be a stronger more contagious version than we've previously seen.
While there is still little peer-reviewed scientific information...
Australia's borders are reopening when?? from 2021-05-12T18:01
It seems that every time we talk about the timeframe of Australia's borders reopening to the world, the estimated date slips further into the future.
In this week's budget, the government ...
It's Victoria's turn to hunt down coronavirus from 2021-05-11T15:01
It's Victoria's turn to hunt down coronavirus, after Victorian health authorities revealed a man tested positive to the virus yesterday morning.
The man was a recent arrival from overseas,...
The one silver lining of coronavirus from 2021-05-10T18:01
We've spoken a lot over the last year or so about coronavirus, and for good reason. But there are plenty of other viruses out there that can make us seriously sick or kill us.
One is the f...
How worrying is Sydney's missing link? from 2021-05-09T18:01
A string of community transmission donut days in NSW has been a nice to see since a mystery COVID-19 case popped up in Sydney late last week.
However, despite its best efforts, NSW Health ...
A new case of COVID and five new clots from 2021-05-06T18:01
Just when you think it's getting boring in coronavirus land, you're hit with an avalanche of news.
Sydney is continuing to battle an outbreak of COVID-19, as health detectives narrow in on...
Sydney's sudden and mysterious COVID case from 2021-05-05T18:01
When NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian started her press conference yesterday, she got straight to the point: NSW had detected a case of COVID in the community.
And as yet, there's no known s...
One billion doses! But a long way to go from 2021-05-04T18:01
In a global pandemic, you have to take your successes where you can find them.
Among the doom and gloom of three-quarters of a million new cases a day worldwide, it's important to look at ...
Will we finally see a jump in vaccinations? from 2021-05-03T18:01
The next phase of Australia's vaccination program began yesterday, and millions of people aged over 50 are now eligible to receive a vaccine.
But many are still finding the booking process...
Perth's new outbreak. Can we avoid another lockdown? from 2021-05-02T18:01
For the second time in a fortnight, residents of Perth are facing lockdowns or increased restrictions due to a coronavirus outbreak from hotel quarantine.
Last week, a security guard contr...
Could a little pill help treat COVID-19? from 2021-04-29T18:01
There's been a lot of talk over the last few months about coronavirus vaccines and how they'll hopefully end the pandemic sooner rather than later.
But it'll be years before the world's en...
Turns out, the vaccines do stop you getting COVID-19 from 2021-04-28T18:01
One of the biggest unknowns in the pandemic was whether or not vaccination would stop you getting infected with coronavirus, or just stop you getting sick.
It sounds like much the same thi...
Is the UK variant not so bad after all? from 2021-04-27T18:01
The UK variant, or as it's known the Kent variant or B117, is taking over the United Kingdom and other countries it's spread to.
It's dominance is due to it to being far more transmissible...
Perth's lockdown ends. Hotel quarantine fight goes on from 2021-04-26T18:01
Residents of Perth are out of a snap three day lockdown, with many hoping life will again return to normal over the coming days.
The lockdown orders were lifted at midnight, after zero new...
Perth's tense wait - will lockdown end on time? from 2021-04-25T18:01
Residents of Perth and the Peel region were given a boost of hope yesterday, when no new cases of coronavirus were discovered.
The areas are in a lockdown until at least midnight tonight, ...
Rush on down for our COVID stocktake! from 2021-04-22T18:01
At the start of the year when vaccines were starting to roll out, there was much hope that maybe, just maybe, the worst was behind us.
But oh no. Not in this global pandemic. Suddenly we h...
Uh oh. Can mRNA vaccines cause clots too? from 2021-04-21T18:01
The European Medicines Agency has reported that it's aware of 25 cases of rare blood clots from people who have had the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, and 5 cases from people who have had the Moderna vaccine...
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What's behind soaring COVID numbers in India? from 2021-04-20T18:01
The number of daily COVID-19 cases in India has been surging in recent weeks, and some are putting it down to a so-called double mutant COVID variant.
New case records are being set nearly...
Vaccines for everyone over 50!* (conditions apply) from 2021-04-19T18:01
The Federal Government is hoping for a vaccine rollout reset, and it may come later this week with National Cabinet agreeing 'in principle' to bring forward vaccinations for those over 50
...
Will we be taking international flights by October? from 2021-04-18T18:01
With every vaccination, we are a step closer to returning back to something that resembles the normal life we had before the coronavirus pandemic.
And one of the big hopes is that people w...
Is there such a thing as knowing too much? from 2021-04-15T18:01
During the COVID-19 pandemic, so much information has been flying around - some of it good and some not so good.
Official information from Government and health authorities would be solidl...
Are all viral vector vaccines a problem? from 2021-04-14T18:01
American health regulators have paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, following reports of rare blood clotting in six recipients.
Like the AstraZeneca vaccine, Johns...
Revisiting the great debate: how deadly is coronavirus? from 2021-04-13T18:01
With all the talk of blood clots, various levels of risk and worries about possible coronavirus outbreaks over winter, it's important to remember that vaccines do save lives.
And they espe...
How do you run a vaccine rollout with no targets? from 2021-04-12T18:01
The Federal Government has jettisoned vaccine rollout targets and the Prime Minister says there's no point creating them anyway because COVID-19 "writes its own rules".
Instead, the govern...
Let's push the reset button on the vaccine rollout from 2021-04-11T18:01
A lot has happened with the coronavirus vaccine rollout over the last week.
Firstly, it's been recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine not be given to under 50 year-old due to concerns ab...
The Goodest Friday! Lockdown restrictions lift in time for Easter. from 2021-04-02T06:01
After two coronavirus clusters sparked a sharp, three-day lockdown, greater Brisbane has opened back up just in time for Easter weekend. But the ou...
Light on the horizon for Queensland or too soon to say? from 2021-03-31T17:01
Millions of Queenslanders will be hoping for good news today when announcements are made whether Brisbane's lockdown will end or continue in some way.
Yesterday saw two community cases of ...
Why are health workers still getting COVID at work? from 2021-03-31T04:01
The extent of the outbreak in Brisbane has become clearer, after authorities revealed that they were dealing with two separate coronavirus clusters...
Suddenly, the Brisbane outbreak looks a lot more worrying from 2021-03-29T17:01
Until yesterday, the outbreak in Brisbane looked small and manageable, but it just shows how fast things can change in a pandemic.
Today is the first day greater Brisbane will spend in at ...
No Brisbane snap lockdown? What's changed? from 2021-03-29T04:01
It's been a while, but an Australian state is again dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19.
Queensland detected a positive case of the so-ca...
We've now got official Australian advice on AstraZeneca and rare clots from 2021-03-26T04:01
Australia's expert advisory group on vaccines has recommended the COVID-19 vaccine be deferred for people who have a history of specific rare blood...
What scientists have learnt from talking to thousands of long COVID patients from 2021-03-25T04:01
There are still so many things we don't fully understand about COVID, but one of the big mysteries is long COVID.
Experienced by up to 30 ...
With every passing day, the harder it'll be to reach vaccination targets from 2021-03-23T17:01
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has signed off on the release of 800,000 locally manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines, which might soon help boost the total number of shots delivered in Australia...
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Could German researchers have found a link between Astra and blood clots? from 2021-03-23T04:01
Researchers in Germany say they've identified what could be behind the reports of blood clotting in people who have had the AstraZeneca coronavirus...
While the world fights variants, we have a border problem from 2021-03-22T04:01
The UK and Europe are vaccinating people in their millions but the scale of the pandemic there means they're still in catch up mode.
Expe...
Does the vaccine cure long COVID? from 2021-03-19T04:01
For those with symptoms of COVID months after being infected, there could be good news on the horizon.
People with long COVID report being...
The vaccine rollout has growing pains from 2021-03-17T17:01
The government has been urging Australians to embrace covid vaccines but now that phase 1b is just days away, the infrastructure underpinning this is being put to the test.
About 6 millio...
Here's what we know about the blood clots reports from 2021-03-17T04:01
Australian health authorities and regulators have assured the public that there is currently no evidence to suggest the AstraZeneca coronavirus vac...
What's the hold up with the vaccine rollout? Supply or delivery? from 2021-03-15T17:01
It's now several weeks into Australia's vaccine rollout, and while people are being immunised daily, there hasn't exactly been a massive ramp up.
165,000 people have been immunised so far,...
That damn virus slips out once again! from 2021-03-14T17:01
Coronavirus has slipped past our infection control systems once again, with health authorities in two states again chasing down the virus.
In NSW, the hotel quarantine system seems to have...
The vaccines weren't developed as quickly as you think from 2021-03-11T17:01
When public figures talk about the coronavirus vaccine, you might hear that it's amazing that it was developed so quickly.
While many are keen to talk up the amazing efforts of scientists,...
The pandemic is officially a year old. We've learnt so much. from 2021-03-10T17:01
A year ago today, the World Health Organisation officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a "pandemic".
In reality, it'd been clear for some time that the SARS-CoV-2 virus wasn't going ...
Cancer patients and the vaccine. What do we know? from 2021-03-09T17:01
In the scramble to get the coronavirus vaccines through rigorous safety and dosage clinical trials, many types of people weren't included in the studies.
One massive group are people who a...
What if we vaccinated everyone in poorer countries first? from 2021-03-08T17:01
The global effort to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible is gathering pace, but new variants have thrown a few curve balls.
Australia has secured enough vaccines t...
The race to stop the new variants taking over the world from 2021-03-07T17:01
In a worrying turn, Europe has had an uptick in new coronavirus infections last week ending six weeks straight of declines.
More than a million cases were recorded last week, with The Worl...
What makes a variant a variant of concern? from 2021-03-04T17:01
It seems we can't go a day without some new coronavirus variant popping up somewhere in the world.
There's the so-called UK variant, the Brazil variant, the Californian variant and now th...
Is there any point in a vaccine passport? from 2021-03-03T17:01
With the passing of another day, more Australians have been vaccinated against COVID.
But as more and more of us get either the Pfizer vaccine or the Astra vaccine, proving it may become i...
Are we going to meet our vaccination target or what? from 2021-03-02T17:01
The first week of coronavirus vaccinations has now rolled out across Australia, and the data show that already we've missed our goals.
According to analysis by the ABC, the country has fal...
On the front lines of Victoria's vaccine rollout from 2021-03-01T17:01
With limited amounts of coronavirus vaccines available, health care organisations are taking extreme steps to ensure not a drop is wasted.
Rollout plans that would normally take many month...
Is Astra the wrong vaccine for border workers? from 2021-02-28T17:01
The AstraZeneca vaccine has arrived in Australia, and the Federal Government says it will start rolling out to people in the priority phase 1a group within the next few weeks.
But the evid...
Will vaccines make a difference responding to the next outbreak? from 2021-02-25T17:01
At the moment life has returned to a COVID-normal in Australia with state borders gradually reopening after the outbreak in Melbourne.
It comes as vaccines continue to rollout across the c...
What happens if you get the wrong dose? from 2021-02-24T17:01
An 88-year-old man and a 94-year-old woman in Queensland were given the incorrect doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday.
It's still under investigation how much extra they were given, and...
Should people with auto-immune disease get a coronavirus vaccine? from 2021-02-23T17:01
If you don't have an auto-immune disease, you probably know and love someone who does.
These are diseases where the body's immune system attacks healthy cells, and they include conditions...
When will I know when I can go and get a vaccine? from 2021-02-22T17:01
As the coronavirus vaccine rollout continues across the country, it's left many wondering when it'll be their chance to go and get a shot.
So far, there hasn't been a huge amount of specif...
Why vaccination is only the end of the beginning from 2021-02-21T17:01
Australia's coronavirus vaccination campaign started a day earlier than expected yesterday, with an 85 year-old World War Two survivor being the first in the country to receive a COVID vaccine.
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Could the UK strain mean longer time in quarantine? from 2021-02-18T17:01
Scientists are slowly discovering more about the so-called UK strain, or more precisely the variant of coronavirus known as B.117.
The variant of concern is often said to be more infectiou...
Global cases falling. Is it the vaccines or something else? from 2021-02-17T17:01
The World Health Organisation has reported that the number of new coronavirus cases around the world has fallen 16 per cent compared to the week before.
In more good news, the number of de...
Astra approved! But do we have a boomer problem? from 2021-02-16T17:01
The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in Australia, but it comes with fine print around who should get it.
In its approval, the Therapeutic Goods Administration noted th...
Vaccines arrive in Australia. Now the challenge begins from 2021-02-15T17:01
142,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine have arrived in Australia, and will soon be divvied up and given to people next week.
While it's a great start, it's only the beginning of a...
Two days of lockdown in, does Melbourne need more time? from 2021-02-14T17:01
The Holiday Inn outbreak in Melbourne has continued to grow, despite the city being in hard lockdown now for two days.
Additional exposure sites have been identified, with the popular Quee...
What makes Melbourne's outbreak hot or not? from 2021-02-11T17:01
The Holiday Inn cluster in Melbourne has continued to grow, with close contacts yesterday testing positive to COVID and more exposure sites being added to the growing list.
So far, 11 peop...
What's going on in Melbourne's quarantine hotels? from 2021-02-10T17:01
Melbourne has temporarily shut down one of its quarantine hotels for deep cleaning after several different people seemed to catch it from within the facility.
The 'working theory', accord...
Should you try to convince your (unsure) friends to get vaccinated? from 2021-02-09T17:01
Never before have we watched vaccines being developed in real time, and so rapidly.
There's elation one day as a vaccine is announced to be safe and highly effective; disappointment anoth...
South Africa suspends Oxford vaccine rollout. What does it mean? from 2021-02-08T17:01
South Africa says it's suspending the rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine while it goes through the results of a recent study which has thrown the vaccine's effectiveness into question.
<...
Can we vaccinate people against falling for vaccine lies? from 2021-02-07T17:01
A hallmark of the coronavirus pandemic has been the related "infodemic" of fake news that has circulated online.
But while many have tried valiantly to set the story straight, fact-based ...
Why has Australia ordered so many vaccines? from 2021-02-04T17:01
The Federal Government has revealed that it has sourced another 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, bringing the total ordered for Australia to 150 million.
Most Australians will still...
Nothing good can come from a 10:30pm press conference :( from 2021-02-03T17:01
Late last night, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that a worker at a quarantine hotel hosting guests for the Australian Open had tested positive to coronavirus.
This came just h...
Wasn't the UK strain supposed to be more contagious? from 2021-02-02T17:01
Yesterday was another coronavirus donut day for Western Australia, which also comes as there's been a huge increase in testing numbers.
While Perth and some surrounding areas remain in loc...
When might we see more cases in WA's outbreak? from 2021-02-01T17:01
When you're in the middle of a coronavirus scare, the sweetest number of all that you want to hear is 0 new cases.
That's exactly what Western Australia's Premier Mark McGowan delivered ye...
Can coronavirus hide in the brain? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
What happens if you get coronavirus when you're pregnant? What surfaces should you avoid touching? And can children get infected? Coronacast is a daily p...
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Coronacast Trailer from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Coronacast is a daily podcast that helps to answer your questions about coronavirus or COVID19. We break down the latest news and research to help you unde...
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Is South Australia out of the woods? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
After plunging the state into a full lockdown, then dramatically performing a massive U turn a few days later, South Australia is hoping its outbreak is un...
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Is Europe copying Victoria's lockdown strategy? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
As the number of coronavirus cases in Europe continues to grow and concerns mount that hospitals may again not be able to cope, governments are turning to ...
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The crazy theory that masks are building up our coronavirus immunity from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Wearing a mask is one of the simplest and most effective ways you can reduce your chances of catching or spreading coronavirus when you're around other peo...
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Why will most Australians get a less effective vaccine? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
If all goes well Australians will start receiving coronavirus vaccinations from next month. But the types of vaccines on offer are not created equal. Hig...
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What’s the point of a three-day lockdown? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
On Friday, Greater Brisbane was plunged into lockdown after a worker at a quarantine hotel tested positive to the so-called UK strain of coronavirus. But n...
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NZ has eliminated COVID. Is Australia on track to do it too? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she "did a little dance" when she found out her country finally had no more active cases of coronavirus. ...
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Coronavirus can take away your taste. Why? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
One of the main symptoms of coronavirus is loss of taste and smell, but it causes all sort of angst and concern to people who suffer from it. While many r...
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Is being overweight a bigger risk factor than smoking? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Data from overseas suggests that after age, obesity is the biggest risk factor causing more problems than smoking with coronavirus patients. So why could ...
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Testing works. Why aren't we doing more? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The World Health Organisation keeps saying that testing is an essential part of the fight against COVID-19. But Australia still hasn't embraced wide scale...
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Is WA overreacting by locking down so much? from 2021-01-31T17:01
It was the information that no one in Australia, let alone Western Australia, wanted to hear: there's been a COVID leak from a quarantine hotel.
The city of Perth last night spent its firs...
You thought herd immunity would save us? Maybe not from 2021-01-28T17:01
For much of the coronavirus pandemic, there's been an idea that when enough people are infected and then recover the health crisis will be over.
It's known as herd immunity - and early on ...
Which country is the best in the world at managing COVID? from 2021-01-27T17:01
There's no denying that Australia has so far done well at managing COVID and keeping it out of the country.
But how do we compare to the rest of the world?
Well, according to a ne...
What's with the hold-up with the Pfizer vaccine? from 2021-01-26T17:01
The vaccine hopes of millions of people worldwide are hanging on the Pfizer vaccine, but the supply of the shot is facing delays.
Why? Well, it relies on a whole lot of things that have ne...
Will the next vaccine approval be harder? from 2021-01-25T17:01
In news that has been eagerly awaited since the pandemic began, a coronavirus vaccine has finally been approved for use in Australia.
Yesterday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration gave t...
One whole year of coronavirus in Australia. How did we do? from 2021-01-24T17:01
Today marks one year since coronavirus officially reached our shores and changed our lives forever.
On January 25, 2020, Victorian health authorities detected the first case of COVID-19 in...
Should we re-think who gets the vaccine first? from 2021-01-21T17:01
In a global context, Australia is in an incredibly privileged position when it comes to the coronavirus vaccine rollout.
Case numbers are very low and we're once again getting close to eli...
The huge coronavirus challenge facing America's new President from 2021-01-20T17:01
Joe Biden has been sworn into office early this morning and now faces a monstrous battle to get COVID under any semblance of control.
Yesterday, according to Johns Hopkins University, the ...
How long does it take to bust a COVID cluster? from 2021-01-19T17:01
An analysis of NSW coronavirus clusters has found the state's COVID-19 outbreak could almost be at an end.
The ABC looked at 18 coronavirus outbreaks in NSW since July last year and found ...
What have we learned from the Pfizer vaccine rollout? from 2021-01-18T17:01
While the deaths of elderly people who had received the Pfizer vaccine in Norway has dominated the headlines, it's worth taking a step back and taking a broader look of the worldwide rollout to dat...
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Is the Pfizer vaccine the culprit in elderly deaths in Norway? from 2021-01-17T17:01
As vaccines are injected into millions of arms across the world, authorities are watching closely to see if there are any unexpected side effects.
And a higher than expected number of dea...
Vaccines are rolling out - so when will cases drop? from 2021-01-14T17:00
Coronavirus vaccines have started rolling out around the world -- so when will we see case numbers start to drop? Preliminary data out of Israel offers some hope, but the death of a Florida physici...
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Is the UK strain really 70 per cent more transmissible? (No.) from 2021-01-12T17:00
Pretty much since coronavirus emerged, people have been worried about it mutating, but in the past month or so reports of strains that are particularly contagious have caught the public's attention...
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What's the point of a three-day lockdown? from 2021-01-11T05:00
On Friday, Greater Brisbane was plunged into lockdown after a worker at a quarantine hotel tested positive to the so-called UK strain of coronavirus. But no other cases emerged during the three-day...
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Why 2021 will be an even bigger year for coronavirus from 2020-12-27T17:01
2020 saw the rise of coronavirus but it's not going away anytime soon.
In 2021, cases and deaths will continue to rise around the world and Australia will have to handle more outbreaks.
How to avoid a super-spreading coronavirus Christmas from 2020-12-24T17:01
If there's one thing we've learnt from coronavirus this year, is that when it appears it happens quickly, by surprise, and is very hard to get back under control.
That's why health experts...
The great big coronavirus balancing act of Christmas 2020 from 2020-12-23T17:01
The coronavirus stage in Sydney has been set for Christmas.
Restrictions have been relaxed a little and health authorities are hoping that case numbers won't balloon after families get tog...
Four leaks in three weeks - what's going wrong? from 2020-12-22T17:01
Yesterday, NSW reported eight new community transmission cases of coronavirus with seven of those cases already linked to the Northern Beaches outbreak.
The one remaining case's source is ...
Are we out of the woods? Or is it the calm before the storm? from 2020-12-21T17:01
There was slightly better news yesterday on the Northern Beaches outbreak front when the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced 15 new cases of COVID.
The majority were from people who l...
Has NSW's luck run out? from 2020-12-21T04:01
Throughout the pandemic, NSW has mostly managed to keep a lid on outbreaks without imposing hard restrictions like we saw in Victoria and South Aus...
What could Sydney's outbreak mean for Christmas? from 2020-12-17T17:01
A couple of days ago, a COVID-normal Christmas all over Australia was looking pretty sweet, but the rapidly growing cluster in Sydney's Northern Beaches has thrown it into doubt.
Yesterda...
How worried should we be about the two Sydney mystery cases? from 2020-12-16T17:01
Just when you think you've got coronavirus pinned down, it manages to struggle free and throw a few mystery moves in your direction.
Late yesterday, NSW Health sent out an alert revealing ...
Another new strain? Panic stations or same as last time? from 2020-12-15T17:01
The British Government says it has detected a new strain of coronavirus that is rapidly increasing in prominence in southern England.
Viruses can and do change all the time in ways that ca...
Why are we still waiting for travel bubbles? from 2020-12-15T04:01
A New Zealand-Australia travel bubble is a step closer after New Zealand's Cabinet agreed in principle to establish a bubble with Australia early n...
What's HIV got to do with a coronavirus vaccine? from 2020-12-13T17:01
It was one of the four vaccines that the Australian Government had pinned its hopes on, but on Friday we heard the University of Queensland vaccine had been canned.
The vaccine had shown p...
Should you be worried about allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine? from 2020-12-10T17:01
It's been a huge week for coronavirus vaccine news: mass vaccination programs have begun in the UK, more scientific data has been published about the Oxford vaccine and it's all looking quite promi...
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Why did so many Victorian healthcare workers get infected? from 2020-12-09T17:01
During Victoria's second wave, thousands and thousands of healthcare workers in Victoria were infected with COVID-19.
Aged care workers and nurses were the most likely to get sick and amaz...
It's coronavirus do-over time. What would we do differently? from 2020-12-08T17:01
If you knew what you know now about coronavirus, what would you have done differently this year?
Since COVID came into our lives, more than 67 million people have had COVID and more than o...
Will a coronavirus vaccine *actually* stop you getting COVID? from 2020-12-07T17:01
As the world eagerly awaits the rollout of a coronavirus vaccine, it's worth looking at exactly how it might and might not work.
While we know from trials that the vaccines are very good a...
It's finally happening! Mass coronavirus vaccinations begin from 2020-12-06T17:01
It's been nearly a year since coronavirus burst into the world's consciousness, and finally mass vaccination campaigns have started.
Over the weekend, Russia started vaccinating people. Th...
Here we go again? More problems with hotel quarantine from 2020-12-03T17:01
Just as South Australia seems to be getting on top of its hotel quarantine outbreak, a new one is starting in NSW.
Late on Wednesday night, a NSW hotel quarantine worker tested positive f...
As restrictions lift, some tips to stay COVID free from 2020-12-02T17:01
As more restrictions are relaxed, and as border controls continue to come down, it's time to revisit the things we should be doing to stay safe and healthy.
From the start of the pandemic,...
The COVIDSafe app is back. Will it work better this time? from 2020-12-01T17:01
The COVIDSafe app has been given a massive update, and with it comes the hope that it'll give contact tracers vital information when tracking down COVID positive cases.
However experts ha...
Why are health authorities still struggling to communicate? from 2020-11-30T17:01
It's been a tough couple of days for health authorities in South Australia, especially surrounding the case of the COVID positive man who went out to lots of places.
Health authorities ini...
What's going on with the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine? from 2020-11-29T17:01
As the days have passed since the drug company AstraZeneca announced its coronavirus vaccine results, the questions about those results and what they could mean have only grown.
Last week,...
Wait, so can you catch coronavirus from a pizza or not? from 2020-11-26T17:01
After a dramatic state-wide lockdown which was swiftly lifted when a patient revealed he'd lied about how he caught coronavirus, there is yet another twist in South Australia's latest outbreak.
Borders are coming down. Were they based on science or politics? from 2020-11-25T17:01
Australia will soon - mostly - be a country where you can once again travel freely between states and territories.
Many borders will finally come down in December 1, after they were put up...
Is the Oxford vaccine worse than the other ones? from 2020-11-24T17:01
All of a sudden, the world has three strong vaccine options to fight coronavirus. There's the Moderna vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine and now the Oxford vaccine.
But while Moderna and Pfizer b...
Is coronavirus seasonal after all? from 2020-11-23T17:01
As coronavirus has now had a year to spread around the world, scientists are starting to become more confident the virus could be more seasonal than originally expected.
Models are showing...
A donut day before the storm? Is six days going to be enough? from 2020-11-19T17:01
South Australia posted a donut day yesterday recording zero new coronavirus cases.
The state is now under a severe lockdown for the next five days, with people only being allowed out under...
So what's the deal with this new coronavirus strain in Adelaide? from 2020-11-18T17:01
South Australia has started its first day of a strict six day lockdown that health authorities have described as a "circuit breaker" to stamp out Adelaide's coronavirus outbreak.
So far, t...
Why South Australia's outbreak isn't going away anytime soon from 2020-11-17T17:01
The number of cases in Adelaide's coronavirus cluster has jumped again, and health authorities are warning it'll likely continue to grow.
There are more than 4000 people currently in quara...
Lockdown early or wait and see? The big questions facing Adelaide from 2020-11-16T17:01
South Australia has spent its first night under increased restrictions as the state battles a coronavirus cluster that increased dramatically in size yesterday.
From when the first case wa...
SA's coronavirus outbreak. What happens now? from 2020-11-15T17:01
South Australian health authorities say several people have tested positive to coronavirus outside of hotel quarantine.
They're urging anyone with the mildest of symptoms to come forward f...
Everything you've wanted to know about sewage testing from 2020-11-13T04:01
In the fight against COVID, it turns out that regular old sewage could be a major tool in detecting outbreaks long before people even come forward ...
A vaccine means a quick return to normal right? Right???????? from 2020-11-11T17:01
With the great news about the Pfizer vaccine still celebrated around the world, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the pandemic's days will soon be numbered.
But sadly, that's not that ca...
What we still don't know about the vaccine announcement (but it's ok to be excited!) from 2020-11-10T17:01
The drug company Pfizer has announced its coronavirus vaccine has 90 per cent efficacy against COVID-19.
It seems like exciting news, especially as it's one of the four vaccines the Austr...
First bats, now Danish mink. How worried should we be? from 2020-11-09T17:01
Millions of small carnivorous animals in Denmark - otherwise known as mink - are being killed due to concerns that they might pass a mutated form of coronavirus onto humans.
The animal, wh...
Can Biden bring the US back from the coronavirus brink? from 2020-11-08T17:01
President-elect Joe Biden has already signalled that one of his first big jobs when he takes office will be to try to get the coronavirus pandemic under control.
To date, the US has had ne...
Will there be not one, not two but FOUR vaccine options? from 2020-11-05T05:01
As the search for a coronavirus vaccine continues, the Federal Government has signed a few new agreements to get Australians access to potential COVID-19 vaccines next year.
The new deals ...
How do we still not know the coronavirus's origin story? from 2020-11-04T17:01
Coronavirus is now nearly a year old, and despite it being studied by scientists from nearly every angle imaginable, we still don't know its origin story.
While researchers can give us a g...
Will NSW soon be the odd one out? from 2020-11-03T17:01
For the last several months, it's been obvious that Victoria has been responsible for the most new locally-acquired coronavirus cases.
But as the days tick by, it's increasingly NSW where ...
What are the risks of too many donut days? from 2020-11-02T17:01
You might have heard about so-called 'donut days' - days where zero cases of coronavirus are recorded.
To yesterday, Victoria has recorded three donut days in a row which is a huge relief ...
Will European lockdowns work or are they too weak? from 2020-11-01T17:01
Melbourne's three-month lockdown was a long and gruelling slog, but eventually the city was able to reopen with very low levels of coronavirus still around.
The same almost certainly won't...
Why the next big vaccine milestone might be only 4-6 weeks away from 2020-10-29T17:01
All year we've been hearing a vaccine was 12 to 18 months away, and annoyingly it never seemed to change.
But when you talk to the experts, it seems we're much closer to the next vaccine m...
Why the worsening pandemic overseas is a risk to Australia from 2020-10-28T17:01
As the coronavirus pandemic speeds up overseas in Europe and America, it's putting pressure on Australia's hotel quarantine system.
Pressure is building because of the higher chance that a...
Forget herd immunity... does immunity last at all? from 2020-10-27T17:01
There are several strategies when trying to control coronavirus - ranging from hard suppression to herd immunity.
The idea behind herd immunity is to let the virus spread through a populat...
Victoria takes a deep breath and opens up! from 2020-10-26T17:01
It's been months in the making, but finally Victoria has taken a deep breath and reopened.
As of 11:59pm tonight, the Victorian lockdown will officially end and many of the most significan...
Why did Victoria hesitate to remove restrictions? from 2020-10-25T17:01
On Friday, the Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian health authorities sounded confident that coronavirus restrictions could be relaxed on Sunday.
But 48 hours later, something changed. <...
We can't be cut off from the world forever. How do we reopen? from 2020-10-22T17:01
As Australian states and territories take small steps to reopening internal borders, it raises the question of when international borders might be able to reopen too.
Closing the country's...
Is giving people coronavirus on purpose ethical? from 2020-10-21T17:01
In an effort to help speed up the development of a coronavirus vaccine, a group of healthy young people in the UK will be deliberately infected.
It's known as a human challenge study - and...
What happens if we don't get a vaccine? This is what 'COVID normal' looks like from 2020-10-19T17:01
Everyone's waiting for the day a university or a pharmaceutical company makes the big announcement: a vaccine for COVID-19 has been developed and it works well.
But until then, the best th...
Why Victoria's success matters to us all from 2020-10-18T17:01
Victorians aren't the only ones who should be celebrating that things are looking up.
The number of new daily coronavirus cases in that state have been kept in low single digits for severa...
Are we just going to have to get used to dealing with outbreaks? from 2020-10-15T17:01
In recent days both NSW and Victoria have recorded very similar numbers of locally transmitted coronavirus cases.
NSW is dealing with an outbreak at a doctor's clinic, and Victoria is deal...
How do contact tracing systems differ between NSW and Victoria? from 2020-10-14T17:01
Outbreaks of coronavirus are growing in Victoria and New South Wales, and in Queensland health authorities are testing people in several cities.
At the heart of the investigations are team...
What are the real numbers Victoria needs to focus on? from 2020-10-13T17:01
Every day we get a news alert informing us exactly how many new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Victoria.
From there the rolling average is calculated and analysed as to how clo...
Why is the seemingly simple science of masks so complicated? from 2020-10-12T17:01
Masks are back in the spotlight as Victoria has tightened its guidelines about what face coverings are allowed.
Originally, people were allowed to use a face mask, scarf, bandana or face ...
Why can NSW dodge lockdowns, but Victoria can't? from 2020-10-11T17:01
The average number of daily coronavirus cases in Melbourne has plateaued in recent days.
It's raised concerns that the city won't be able to open up as fast as it had hoped.
But t...
Why are scientists obsessed with the coronavirus G strain? from 2020-10-08T17:01
One of the big unknowns with coronavirus to date is how much it's mutating and how that could hurt the effectiveness of a vaccine.
The worry is that by the time scientists have found a vac...
Why have three community cases suddenly popped up in NSW? from 2020-10-07T17:01
NSW Health authorities are urging people across Sydney with even the mildest symptoms to get tested, as they continue contact tracing three new mysterious cases.
After 12 days straight of ...
Are big families the centre of Victoria's second wave? from 2020-10-06T17:01
Victoria has hit a road bump on its pathway to reopening, recording 15 new cases of coronavirus yesterday as it tries to suppress a new outbreak.
The Chadstone cluster has continued to gro...
Why is Trump getting drugs reserved for serious coronavirus cases? from 2020-10-05T17:01
With each new day, we're learning a little bit more about the US President's battle with COVID-19.
Yesterday, doctors said the president's oxygen level had dropped a couple of times and th...
Trump's growing White House coronavirus cluster from 2020-10-04T17:01
By now you've probably heard the news that the most powerful man on the planet has tested positive for coronavirus.
US President Donald Trump is part of a growing cluster of cases popping...
Are we doing contact tracing the wrong way? from 2020-10-01T18:01
One of the main tools in our belt to fight coronavirus is contact tracing.
That is, when you identify someone who is positive for COVID-19, you isolate them and then try and find out all t...
How can we safely reopen international borders? from 2020-09-30T18:01
As the number of COVID cases continues to drop in Australia, there's suddenly a whole lot more talk again about travel bubbles and increasing international arrivals from "safe" coronavirus countrie...
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Why 1 million coronavirus deaths is only just the beginning from 2020-09-29T18:01
Coronavirus has now claimed the lives of more than a million people around the world and it's not showing many signs of slowing down.
Countries pummelled by the first wave of the pandemic ...
What ever happened to saliva testing for coronavirus? from 2020-09-28T18:01
By now many of us would have been subjected to a coronavirus test.
A swab is shoved up your nose and jiggled around a bit, then it's shoved down your throat for another jiggle.
Wh...
As Melbourne relaxes restrictions, can it keep cases down? from 2020-09-27T18:01
Melbourne has taken its first big step out of restrictions, with 127,000 more people allowed to head back to work today.
The number of active cases has fallen below 400 for the first time ...
How often are people getting coronavirus twice? from 2020-09-24T18:01
With coronavirus still raging around the world, there have been plenty of opportunities for people to get COVID-19 twice.
The good news is that it seems to be incredibly rare for a person ...
Here's who you think should get a vaccine first from 2020-09-23T18:01
When it finally comes time to roll out a coronavirus vaccine, the reality is that some people will have to go first.
And then difficult decisions have to be made. Do you pick the most vuln...
All of a sudden, things are looking much more positive from 2020-09-22T18:01
What a difference a little bit of time can make.
A month ago today, it was bleak. Melbourne was already several weeks into stage 4 lockdowns and posted more than 200 new cases of coronavi...
Why the wait for a vaccine might be longer than you think from 2020-09-21T18:01
There are several potential vaccines for coronavirus currently in phase 3 trials, but large scale safety and efficacy testing is far from the only hurdles the vaccines face.
The first roun...
Even mild coronavirus cases can have this long term symptom from 2020-09-20T18:01
Every day we learn more about coronavirus, but it may take months or even years for us to fully understand the long term effects of surviving COVID-19.
A new study out of Ireland suggests...
The Melbourne mop-up. What needs to happen next? from 2020-09-17T18:01
While the number of new coronavirus cases in Melbourne continues to fall, for many it's not falling fast enough.
The average number of daily cases is edging down day by day, but there's a ...
The ambitious mass testing plan that might be as good as a vaccine from 2020-09-16T18:01
The longer this pandemic drags on, the more likely it is that people will get fed up with taking themselves off for a coronavirus test every time they get sick.
It might sound counterintu...
Why is coronavirus not killing as many people? from 2020-09-15T18:01
For the first time in two months, Australia has finally recorded a day with no deaths from coronavirus.
It's a huge milestone after Victoria's second wave pushed Australia's national COVI...
How coronavirus is hiding a future cancer wave from 2020-09-14T18:01
The immediate and long term health effects of COVID-19 have been well reported over the past several months, but it may have crowded out other illnesses and diseases.
According to the Fede...
Why the secrecy around the Oxford coronavirus vaccine trial? from 2020-09-13T18:01
The Oxford coronavirus vaccine trial is set to resume after it was abruptly halted when a participant experienced some sort of medical event.
All we know is that the woman was given the p...
The Oxford vaccine's troubles. Why it's not doomed (yet) from 2020-09-09T18:01
The vaccine widely considered our best shot at bringing this pandemic to an end has run into a bit of trouble, after a trial participant suffered a medical problem.
Because safety is incre...
Will contact tracers finally bust Victoria's clusters? from 2020-09-08T18:01
Victoria's daily coronavirus tally is finally starting to drop, but the roadmap out of lockdown suggests state officials don't believe they'll be back down in single digits until November.
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The problem with coronavirus in hospitals isn't just a Victorian one from 2020-09-07T18:01
Over the past few days, a number of worrying COVID-19 infections have popped up in hospitals in Queensland and New South Wales.
While the problem with infections in the healthcare sector i...
What to make of Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown from 2020-09-06T18:01
Melburnians will face another fortnight of lockdown after September 13, but the Victorian Premier has also announced a plan for the eventual reopening of the state.
There will be a few sma...
Why Christmas could be a super-spreading event from 2020-09-03T18:01
No matter what else happens this year, Christmas 2020 is probably going to be like no other you've experienced.
You might opt to just celebrate quietly at home to avoid a potential outbre...
Should you get pregnant in the COVID era? from 2020-09-02T18:01
There is still so much to learn about the novel coronavirus, but scientists have unlocked some clues about the way COVID-19 affects pregnant women and their unborn children.
A review of do...
Is it time to make people who test positive quarantine in special clinics? from 2020-09-01T18:01
Australia was one of the first countries to require returning overseas travellers to isolate in hotel rooms, which has significantly helped keep community transmission of coronavirus down.
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What could Victoria's path out of lockdown look like? from 2020-08-31T18:01
With the number of new coronavirus infections falling to double digits, Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews says he will reveal the state's roadmap out of lockdown this weekend.
Stage 4 rest...
Are gyms the weakest link in NSW? from 2020-08-30T18:01
Sydney's CBD coronavirus cluster has grown over the weekend, with more people being diagnosed with COVID-19 and being linked back to a city fitness centre.
A health notice was issued on Sa...
How many cases a day are we happy to live with? from 2020-08-27T18:01
As the number of new coronavirus cases in Victoria continue to fall, conversations are turning to coming out of stage 4 restrictions.
Part of that discussion is how many new cases will be ...
Are Victoria's numbers really going down as much as we think? from 2020-08-26T18:01
While the decline in Victoria's coronavirus case numbers has been incredibly positive over the past few weeks, worryingly the number of people getting tested is also falling.
Yesterday, Vi...
The top 3 healthcare jobs most at risk of coronavirus from 2020-08-25T18:01
The Victorian Government has finally released information that provides a much deeper insight into how many healthcare workers have been infected with coronavirus in hospitals and aged care facilit...
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What lessons have NSW and Queensland learned from Victoria? from 2020-08-24T18:01
Queensland health authorities say they're worried by the growing number of coronavirus cases in the state, and are recommending people wear facemasks.
In NSW, authorities say the virus is ...
Can Victoria get it done in three more weeks? from 2020-08-23T18:01
Melbourne is now halfway through its stage 4 lockdown, and if the daily case numbers are anything to go by, the restrictions are clearly working.
At the start of the month, Victoria record...
Could aged care and hospitals keep Victoria locked up? from 2020-08-20T18:01
New coronavirus cases in Victoria have been falling nicely this week, but if you look a little closer there are still some concerning numbers.
A large number of healthcare workers are stil...
Why make a vaccine mandatory? from 2020-08-19T18:01
When Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he'd like to see any COVID vaccination be as "as mandatory as you can possibly make it", he put the idea of compulsory vaccines on the table.
Yester...
Are hotels the best way of managing quarantine? from 2020-08-18T18:01
Governments in Australia and New Zealand are scrambling to find out more about recent coronavirus cases that appear to have escaped from hotel quarantine.
NSW Health is looking into how a ...
Will Australia have access to a vaccine if/when it is discovered? from 2020-08-17T18:01
While scientists are yet to come through with a proven coronavirus vaccine, it hasn't stopped governments around the world signing up for some of the most promising candidates.
The Austral...
Did coronavirus slip into NZ by cold freight? from 2020-08-16T18:01
As the coronavirus outbreak in New Zealand continues to grow, theories are circulating about how the virus snuck back into the country.
While the most likely explanation is it came in via ...
NZ's cases grow. What's the point of going for elimination? from 2020-08-13T18:01
The number of coronavirus cases in New Zealand has continued to grow, as health authorities desperately try to track down and stop the outbreak.
Prior to the coronavirus being found in the...
Is the Russian vaccine dodgy, a game changer, or both? from 2020-08-12T18:01
Russia's announcement that its new coronavirus vaccine has been approved and is ready to be rolled out has been attacked by vaccine experts, describing it as reckless.
No reliable evidence...
As Melbourne recovers, regional Victoria is struggling from 2020-08-11T18:01
The stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne has been successful so far in pushing down the number of cases in metro areas, but regional Victoria risks being left behind.
While the number of cases in...
When will Victoria's death count stop rising? from 2020-08-10T18:01
The tragic reality of so many people being infected with coronavirus over the past month has started to play out in Victoria.
Yesterday a record number of Victorians died of coronavirus in...
Can we do better at protecting health care workers? from 2020-08-09T18:01
One of the startling figures from the Victorian coronavirus wave is the number of healthcare workers who are getting sick.
Nearly 1000 Victorian healthcare workers currently have COVID-19,...
What happens next in Victoria depends on its mystery cases from 2020-08-06T18:01
Norman Swan made a big call in predicting that Victoria will start to see a reduction in coronavirus cases by next week, but not everyone agrees with him.
Some health experts say it's more...
When will stage 4 restrictions start to shift the needle? from 2020-08-05T18:01
There's been another grim round of record-breaking coronavirus numbers in Victoria: the highest daily tally, the highest death toll and Australia's youngest victim - a man in his 30s.
It's...
Have we been too easy on rule breakers? from 2020-08-05T04:01
The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that all COVID positive cases will be doorknocked multiple times, as authorities continue to tig...
Why stage 3 lockdowns were successful, but not quite enough from 2020-08-04T04:01
More than 250,000 workers in Melbourne will be forced to stay home to try and stop the spread of coronavirus.
Yesterday, Victorian Premier...
Melbourne's lockdown pain. How do we make it worth it? from 2020-08-03T04:01
Melbourne has spent its first night under curfew, imposed to try and halt the spread of coronavirus.
Yesterday, Victorian Premier Daniel A...
Another record :( Melbourne’s case number rollercoaster from 2020-07-31T04:01
Australia has smashed its daily coronavirus record, with Victoria recording around 700 new infections yesterday.
The state's second surge ...
Is Queensland overreacting by banning Sydneysiders? from 2020-07-30T04:01
The daily coronavirus tallies in Queensland and New South Wales are nowhere near as high as Victoria, but health experts are warning that both stat...
Coronavirus or terrifying hallucinations? Aged care's stark choice from 2020-07-29T04:01
When it comes to coronavirus, there is probably no one more vulnerable to the disease than an elderly resident at an aged care facility.
...
Here's why Victoria's spike isn't going down just yet from 2020-07-28T04:01
When you think of a coronavirus outbreak on a graph, you probably imagine a big peak and then a swift downward curve as lockdown measures bring the...
Coronavirus is not just an old person's virus from 2020-07-27T04:01
We often hear that coronavirus doesn't discriminate when it comes to age, but after infection it does tend to get deadlier as patients get older. <...
Is a six-week lockdown going to be enough? from 2020-07-24T04:01
A month ago, consecutive days of more than 400 new coronavirus cases would have been almost unbelievable.
Sadly, it's become a reality for...
Why are thousands of people not complying with the rules? from 2020-07-23T04:01
The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed some startling figures yesterday.
It wasn't just that the state recorded its highest number...
Melbourne's 2nd worst day. Are lockdowns working? from 2020-07-22T04:01
Melbourne recorded its second worst day yesterday with 374 new cases of coronavirus.
It's also been nearly two weeks since the city-wide l...
What state is most primed for a coronavirus outbreak? from 2020-07-21T04:01
While coronavirus case numbers were up in NSW yesterday, health authorities said that they could identify where every infection came from.
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Why aren't Melbourne's coronavirus numbers coming down? from 2020-07-20T04:01
The Victorian Government has imposed new restrictions on Melbourne, mandating the use of masks.
Following an increase in coronavirus cases over...
Record numbers in Melbourne. What happened to stability? from 2020-07-17T04:01
There's been a record number of new daily cases of coronavirus in Melbourne, just days after health authorities were hoping numbers had stabilised....
Melbourne's lockdown is a week old. Why no decline in cases? from 2020-07-16T04:01
Melbourne has now been in lockdown for a week, and yet we're still seeing hundreds and hundreds of new coronavirus cases every day.
And th...
Are pubs petri dishes that should be shut down and avoided? from 2020-07-15T04:01
Going to the pub is almost a national sport, which is why the following question might be a little controversial.
In a pandemic, should pu...
Melbourne was first. Is it now Sydney's turn? from 2020-07-14T04:01
The growing numbers of coronavirus cases from Sydney's Crossroads Hotel has shown that Melbourne is far from alone in having to worry about outbrea...
Is it too late to eliminate coronavirus, even if we wanted to? from 2020-07-13T04:01
There have been hundreds more cases of coronavirus over the weekend in Victoria, with more and more outbreaks popping up.
New South Wales ...
With hundreds of cases this week, has Australia blown it? from 2020-07-10T04:01
Let's face it: it hasn't exactly been a great week this week for coronavirus.
Victoria has outbreaks occurring all over the place, Austral...
Is Victoria the wake up call Australia needed? from 2020-07-09T04:01
Borders have been thrown up around Victoria as other states try to limit importing coronavirus infections.
But it's been too late for the ...
Melbourne's 42 days of lockdown. Will it work? from 2020-07-08T04:01
The number of new coronavirus cases in Melbourne has finally hit a high enough level for the Victorian Government to put the city back into lockdow...
Are Melbourne's current lockdowns enough? from 2020-07-07T04:01
There are now all sorts of different lockdowns in Victoria as the state's active caseload of coronavirus gets worse and worse.
The number ...
Is Melbourne becoming a nightmare? from 2020-07-06T04:01
The coronavirus situation in Melbourne is getting more and more serious, with hundreds of people in public housing units forced into hard lockdown ...
Cases are popping up in other states. Are we losing control? from 2020-07-03T04:01
If you've been watching the coronavirus news this week, you may have reacted with a bit of alarm after seeing that cases seem to be slipping out of...
Why are some people refusing to get tested? from 2020-07-02T04:01
With huge amounts of coronavirus testing going on, one of the more disturbing statistics is the number of people who are refusing to be tested.
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Lockdown! Victoria's big move to try and stop coronavirus from 2020-07-01T04:01
Victoria has again forced large parts of Melbourne into lockdown, in an attempt to try and halt the spread of coronavirus.
Listing postcod...
Why isn't Victoria locking it all down? from 2020-06-30T04:01
Victoria registered 75 new cases of coronavirus on Monday – one of the highest daily increases in new cases since the pandemic began.
Last...
The unrelenting slog facing the people trying to stop coronavirus from 2020-06-29T04:01
As case numbers in Victoria continue to rise, spare a thought for the people running the State Government's response to the virus outbreak.
Can Victoria test its way out of its coronavirus problem? from 2020-06-26T04:01
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wants 100,000 Victorians to be tested for coronavirus over the next 10 days in what he calls an "unprecedented tes...
So did Conor McKenna have coronavirus or not? from 2020-06-25T04:01
The on again, off again nature of Essendon AFL player Conor McKenna's COVID tests has been a wild ride this week.
McKenna had an irregular...
Every coronavirus cluster starts with one person from 2020-06-24T04:01
If we've learnt anything from the Victorian coronavirus situation, it's that COVID-19 loves clusters.
The first known cluster of coronavir...
We've stopped social distancing and it's causing problems from 2020-06-23T04:01
A month or so ago, we had social distancing sorted.
We weren't hugging or shaking hands and we were keeping our distance.
But as...
Coronavirus is taking off again. Is it the second wave? from 2020-06-22T04:01
The state of Victoria is now under more restrictions, after being forced to ratchet them up due to a rise in coronavirus cases.
Victoria h...
What's social distancing done for sexually transmitted infections? from 2020-06-19T04:01
When Australia went into lockdown, it helped more than just coronavirus from spiralling out of control.
Infections of influenza are massiv...
Can we trust the hype over steroids as a coronavirus treatment? from 2020-06-18T04:01
You might have seen the headlines over the past day or two about the drug dexamethasone, which claims to be a major breakthrough in the coronavirus...
The global hotspots where coronavirus is still killing thousands from 2020-06-17T04:01
As coronavirus restrictions are loosened in Australia, it's easy to forget we're still living in the middle of a pandemic and globally numbers are ...
The 'ludicrous' coronavirus certificate your boss wants from 2020-06-16T04:01
Proving you have coronavirus is easy. You get a test, and it comes back positive.
But what if your boss or school asks you to prove you DO...
What if we can't stop unknown coronavirus cases? from 2020-06-15T04:01
While the number of new daily coronavirus cases in Australia is now mostly in single digits, there's still occasional cases of unknown origin poppi...
Protester tests positive. What happens now? from 2020-06-12T04:01
A protester at the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Melbourne has tested positive to COVID-19.
Victorian health authorities say the ma...
Does the World Health Org know what it's doing? from 2020-06-11T04:01
There's been all sorts of confusion this week, after a top expert at the World Health Organization seemed to suggest that people without COVID-19 s...
So you went to the protests. Should you self-isolate? from 2020-06-09T04:01
With Black Lives Matters demonstrations being held in many Australian cities over the weekend, should protestors now be self-isolating in case they...
The mysterious company behind a misleading coronavirus drug study from 2020-06-05T04:01
When the World Health Organisation saw data from a study into a possible coronavirus drug treatment, it immediately halted trials for safety reason...
Why coronavirus tests are far from perfect from 2020-06-03T04:01:01
The accuracy of coronavirus tests has been again thrust into the spotlight, after a man who authorities said died from COVID-19, actually didn't.
Could rallies in the US cause a coronavirus uptick? from 2020-06-02T04:01
As riots rage across large cities in the United States, some are happening right in the middle of major COVID-19 hotspots.
Thousands of pe...
Hello Winter! Is coronavirus about to get worse? from 2020-06-01T04:01
As the days get shorter and colder, many people are wondering what it might mean for coronavirus infections.
One theory states that countr...
So what's the chance your coronavirus test is wrong? from 2020-05-29T04:01
So you've just had a coronavirus test, and had a little stick shoved up your nose and wobbled around.
But while you’re waiting for a resul...
Has the COVIDSafe app been worth it? from 2020-05-28T04:01
It's been just over a month since the Federal Government released the COVIDSafe app to help contact tracers track down potentially positive COVID-1...
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again from 2020-05-27T04:01
You might have thought we were finally getting on top of coronavirus, but the pandemic is not without its surprises.
There's been a few ca...
Which mask is the best? What should you avoid? from 2020-05-26T04:01
There are all sorts of options when picking a mask to help protect yourself and other people from picking up coronavirus.
But some masks c...
Is it finally time to hug your grandparents again? from 2020-05-25T04:01
At the height of the Australian coronavirus epidemic, older people were urged to stay away from children and grandchildren to avoid contracting the...
How complacency could trigger a third wave and force us back indoors from 2020-05-22T04:01
We know that in the 1918 flu pandemic the second wave was far more deadly than when it first arrived.
This time around in Australia, it se...
Coronavirus loves lungs. Does it also lurk in our blood? from 2020-05-21T04:01
When coronavirus infects someone, we know they can spread the disease via coughing and sneezing.
But what about other forms of bodily flui...
The race for a coronavirus vaccine may have a frontrunner from 2020-05-20T04:01
The search for a coronavirus vaccine has taken a small step in the right direction, with promising early results from a vaccine trial.
Mad...
Is social distancing 1.5m enough to avoid coronavirus? from 2020-05-19T04:01
As pubs and restaurants re-open in some states, you're probably thinking that it's safe to return as long as you maintain 1.5 metres distance from ...
42 days of infection? When coronavirus won't go away from 2020-05-18T04:01
You probably think that coronavirus is a disease that takes 14 days to get over. That's how long isolation periods last.
But for some peop...
Will coronavirus kill off birthday candles and choirs? from 2020-05-15T04:01
When you start thinking about it, coronavirus is going to change so many things we previously took for granted.
Birthday cakes for example...
How much coronavirus research is useless and wasteful? from 2020-05-14T04:01
Ever since coronavirus appeared, scientists and researchers around the world have been scrambling to find out as much as they can about it.
Was coronavirus 50 years in the making? from 2020-05-13T04:01
There are all sorts of coronavirus origin stories, ranging from secret US military plots to disastrous accidental leaks from Chinese labs.
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Weighing up death. The cost of lockdowns vs no lockdowns from 2020-05-12T04:01
The way different countries have responded to coronavirus has been incredibly varied.
Some have tried to keep as much open as possible, o...
As restrictions ease, here's how to avoid the virus from 2020-05-11T04:01
Most states and territories are moving to the next phase of our coronavirus pandemic journey, with some public spaces reopening, larger public gath...
Has coronavirus really split into two strains – and does it matter? from 2020-05-08T04:01
You might have seen the study that found there may be a more contagious strain of coronavirus floating around.
It turns out though that it...
Why might coronavirus become more "gentle" in time? from 2020-05-07T06:01
Like all living things, coronavirus will evolve and mutate, but that's not necessarily something to be feared.
While the virus that causes...
What's behind the sudden uptick in coronavirus cases? from 2020-05-06T06:01
One of the realities of this coronavirus pandemic is that you think you're doing a good job and then suddenly there's an outbreak.
Some st...
Is there any possibility coronavirus escaped a Chinese lab? from 2020-05-05T06:01
The origins of coronavirus have become increasingly controversial, with the US Government ratcheting up the rhetoric in recent days.
US Se...
Why the next fortnight is so important in the coronavirus battle from 2020-05-04T06:01
This weekend, for the first time in a long time, you may have gone out to see a friend, sat in the park or had a picnic.
With restrictions...
What is remdesivir and what's all the fuss about? from 2020-05-01T06:01
An experimental antiviral drug called remdesivir is being touted as a possible treatment for COVID-19 patients.
An unpublished, non-peer r...
Are kids and young people affected more badly than we thought? from 2020-04-30T06:01
Several worrying cases involving coronavirus infection of children and younger adults have emerged from the UK and USA in the last few weeks.
<...
Were Australian lockdowns worth it? from 2020-04-29T06:01
As states slowly wind back restrictions and release the brake on lockdowns, it’s a good time to look back to see if they were worth it.
So...
So should we download the coronavirus app or what? from 2020-04-28T06:01
The Federal Government's contact-tracing app has smashed expectations and has been downloaded more than two million times since its release.
How do we avoid the dreaded second (third or fourth) coronavirus wave? from 2020-04-24T06:01
Whichever way you look at it, coronavirus is going to be with us for quite a while.
Elimination seems unlikely and overseas it’s infecting...
Human vaccine trials begin! What happens next? from 2020-04-23T06:01
Human trials for a coronavirus vaccine have begun in the UK, and it's all actions go.
Depending on what happens there’s a long way to go b...
SPECIAL: Deputy Chief Medical Officer answers your questions from 2020-04-22T06:01
Why aren't we being told to wear masks? Are we trying to eradicate coronavirus or what? What’s going on with schools?
There are so many bi...
When might Australia reach zero coronavirus cases? from 2020-04-21T06:01
New Zealand has announced it will soon loosen restrictions, as the number of cases there has continued to fall.
So when might Australia re...
Why can't I test myself for coronavirus at home? from 2020-04-20T06:01
As getting a test for COVID-19 becomes far easier in Australia, people are starting to wonder why you can’t just do it yourself at home.
O...
'No bare bottoms!': Norman Swan weighs in on corona-farts from 2020-04-17T06:01
It's the question everyone wants to know: can you get coronavirus from farts?
Dr Norman Swan has a strong opinion on fighting the scourge ...
The search for a coronavirus vaccine and the challenges we're facing from 2020-04-16T06:01
Scientists are desperately searching for a coronavirus vaccine, but before that can happen there's a whole bunch of stuff they need to discover.
Australia is doing well. But where are we heading next? from 2020-04-15T06:01
In the scheme of things, Australia is becoming a bit of a poster child for how to handle the coronavirus pandemic.
Helped by having no lan...
Why flatten the curve when we could eradicate coronavirus? from 2020-04-14T06:01
Forget flattening the curve. There’s a radical approach to coronavirus that could have us out of our houses and back at work or school without havi...
Do animals get coronavirus? We answer more kids' questions! from 2020-04-13T06:01
Scientists have given coronavirus to ferrets, dogs and cats to try and find out how the virus works.
It turns out some animals can contrac...
You've probably heard these coronavirus myths. Did you fall for them? from 2020-04-10T06:01
A week ago, we put the call out for coronavirus social media myths and asked you to send them in. And we got a lot of them.
One of the mos...
How to get groceries without bringing home coronavirus from 2020-04-09T06:01
One of the few things we're able to do with social distancing is go to the supermarkets.
We've had heaps of questions from people who are ...
The second week crash. Why Week Two as a coronavirus patient is so scary from 2020-04-08T06:45
British PM Boris Johnson’s health has deteriorated as he enters the second week of being diagnosed with COVID-19.
The 55-year old's experi...
Trump loves an old anti-malarial drug. Is it the elixir to cure coronavirus? from 2020-04-07T06:01
American President Donald Trump has been talking a lot about a certain drug called hydroxychloroquine.
It's an old anti-malarial which is ...
Do masks help protect you from coronavirus? from 2020-04-06T06:02
After insisting masks were unnecessary, US health authorities are now telling people to cover their faces in public to protect themselves from spre...
BONUS: 'How does coronavirus go into my body?' We answer more kids' questions! from 2020-04-04T06:01
What kind of germ is coronavirus? What started coronavirus? Why is the coronavirus making people so sick?
Kids have millions of questions ...
What syphilis and measles can tell us about the coronavirus endgame from 2020-04-03T06:01
As parts of Australia face up to 90 days of lockdowns, you might be feeling like there's no light at the end of the tunnel.
But the world ...
Under the radar! How much coronavirus is really out there? from 2020-04-02T06:01
While the coronavirus growth rate has slowed over the past few days, there's still likely to be cases circling in the community undetected.
Norman did everything right. So how did he catch another virus? from 2020-04-01T06:01
Norman's coronavirus test is back, and it was negative!
He's been so clean and careful but still picked up something. How did that happen?...
Dr Norman Swan was tested for coronavirus. Here's what happened from 2020-03-31T06:01
You might have heard that Dr Norman Swan has come down with a bit of an illness.
Yesterday he was checked for coronavirus, and had to use ...
Could coronavirus' death rate be lower than first thought? from 2020-03-30T06:01
There have been many infections from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan for weeks.
But it turns out it might...
'Are we all going to die?' We answer kids' questions! from 2020-03-27T05:01
What does coronavirus look like? When can we hug again? Are we all going to die?
We asked for questions from kids, and they delivered!
The tantalising scheme to fix coronavirus in only six weeks from 2020-03-26T05:01
What if this could mostly be over in four to six weeks instead of a year or more? Sounds pretty good right.
According to experts in Austra...
Three tips on how to convince friends and family to stay home from 2020-03-25T05:01
It seems many people still haven't got the message about the importance of social distancing.
And some Coronacast listeners are saying the...
How do I stay fit (and not go crazy) if I can't go outside? from 2020-03-24T05:01
If you're in coronavirus quarantine and going a bit stir-crazy, you might be wondering if exercise can help.
It can – but which type of ex...
Should you just pull your kid out of school? from 2020-03-20T05:01
The government is urging us to stay away from one another as much as possible.
But at the same time our kids are going to school where th...
Is this our life now for the next 18 months? from 2020-03-19T05:30
Could the solution to getting rid of coronavirus be shutting everything down and keeping it that way... for a year and a half?
That's no s...
Where did coronavirus really start? (spoiler: not a CIA lab) from 2020-03-18T05:30
There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there about the origins of coronvirus — was it invented by the US military? The US Democrats? Maybe even...
What can kids' poo teach us about coronavirus? from 2020-03-17T05:30
Plenty of questions remain about how children are affected by coronavirus, what symptoms they show and how they transmit it.
But a study f...
Think coronavirus only kills the old? Think again. from 2020-03-16T05:30
One of the biggest myths around coronavirus is that it's only the old who are at serious risk.
But evidence from China and Italy show that...
Is it time to ban mass gatherings? from 2020-03-13T05:30
As the risk of coming across coronavirus grows, it is time to ban mass gatherings?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday there's cu...
What's the best way to wash your hands? from 2020-03-12T05:30
If you're hoping to stay healthy and coronavirus-free, one of the best things you can do it wash your hands often and wash your hands well.
Gyms are sweaty. Are they risky? from 2020-03-11T05:30
Gyms are sweaty, wet places and they're the perfect place for coronavirus to hide.
Chinese data indicates that gyms are a high risk locati...
What a 100 year old pandemic can teach us about coronavirus from 2020-03-10T05:30
More than 100 years ago, tens of millions of people died in an influenza pandemic.
The virus spread quickly and had a high mortality rate...
Should you get a flu shot early this year? from 2020-03-09T05:30
With coronavirus spreading, heaps of people are wondering if getting a flu shot earlier this year is worth it.
And as more people need tes...
Do face masks work? And stop touching your face (but good luck) from 2020-03-06T05:30
Face mask supplies may be limited, but do they even work?
And why you should stop touching your face, but that's much easier said than don...