More Australians are in lockdown today following one COVID-19 case travelling from Sydney into the Northern Territory. Queensland prepares to strengthen its border as cases continue to climb in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. Catch up on the latest coronavirus news from around the country today. NSW reports record-high cases and seven COVID deaths NSW has recorded 478 cases and seven …

Police are considering laying further charges against a Western Sydney woman believed to be the source of a COVID-19 outbreak that has plunged 600,000 people in the NSW Hunter region into lockdown. In a statement, NSW Police outlined how the 21-year-old allegedly lied to authorities and twice defied orders to return to Sydney, before spreading the virus in Newcastle over several days. Police …

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has defended a move by the federal government requiring Australians who ordinarily reside overseas to apply for an exemption to leave as “levelling” the playing field. Minster Andrews rejected suggestions the rule change was designed to scare off expats from visiting Australia. “It should be reasonably straightforward for them,” she told 7.30. “It’s certainly not to …

The Morrison government is putting big tech companies on notice as it tries to clamp down on cyber bullying and abuse, particularly against children. The government has opened public consultations on a new set of basic online safety expectations (BOSE), which sets out a series of demands reflecting the community’s expectations of safety online. “We we will always fight to …

The nation’s COVID vaccine rollout will soon enter a new phase as approval for a third vaccine nears and hope swirls for plans to start vaccinating children. A cornerstone of that level up will be the world-leading Moderna vaccine, which is believed to be gaining TGA approval within a fortnight – and to be delivered into arms across Australia not …

Health authorities say the “front of the pandemic” has moved into Penrith, in Western Sydney, with residents in 12 suburbs hit with tougher COVID-19 restrictions. Additional restrictions were implemented in the City of Penrith local government authority (LGA) from 5:00pm today following an increase in cases. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she hoped the tougher restrictions would “stem the tide” and stop the virus …

By the time Patty Mills scored his 42nd point of Australia’s bronze medal playoff against Slovenia, it was clear the Boomers would banish one of the country’s most nagging sporting curses. Around Australia, calluses were forming on the thumbs of TV viewers flicking between the Boomers’ triumph and their countrywoman Nicola McDermott’s fight for gold in the high jump. After …

NSW recorded 319 new locally acquired COVID-19 infections in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday. It’s the first time the state has ever had more than 300 cases in a day. There have been five more COVID-19 deaths in NSW. It takes the state’s total fatalities since the start of the pandemic to 84. Armidale local government area in NSW’s Northern Tablelands will go …

Medical experts have welcomed a decision by the federal government to list a new treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which lowers cholesterol levels and can reduce a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke. Health Minister Greg Hunt said more than 20,000 Australians would have access to Praluent, a treatment for people suffering from hypercholesterolaemia, which results in abnormally …

New South Wales has recorded 210 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with Health Minister Brad Hazzard warning the virus is “continuing to spread”. At least 32 of those 210 people were circulating in the community for all or part of their infectious period. Greater Sydney and surrounding regions are in lockdown until at least August 28, as health authorities battle …