At least 60 people have now died in the current New South Wales COVID outbreak. We’ve been keeping track of how old these people were, and have observed 85 per cent of the COVID deaths up to August 18 (51 out of 60) were among people aged over 60. We’ve also been taking note of reports on their vaccination status. …

Greater Sydney will remain in lockdown until at least the end of September, as NSW posted another 644 local COVID cases on Friday. Masks will also become mandatory for everyone in NSW whenever they leave home, unless they are exercising. The extension of the Sydney lockdown and compulsory mask-wearing are part of a dramatic tightening of virus rules across NSW …

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says NSW is “learning to live” with the Delta strain as she confirmed 681 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number the state has recorded in a day. Ms Berejiklian said life would “feel much better” once vaccination rates increased, with a record 110,000 jabs administered in the last 24 hours. She said 5.5 million vaccinations had now been administered in NSW, …

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 …