As it happened: Labor senator suspended after vowing to cross the floor again on Palestine; Tax reform needed to stop climb
Follow today’s national news headlines with our live blog.
- by Josefine Ganko and Timna Jacks
Latest
Hamas-Israel conflict as it happened: Israel ‘at war’ over Gaza attack, hundreds dead
Hundreds of people are dead after Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel from Gaza.
- by Timna Jacks and Catherine Naylor
Flu season fizzles out, but chance of a double peak looms
Victoria’s influenza wave has passed its peak, but the possibility of a second wave continues to loom over state hospitals that are already struggling to cope with the onslaught of COVID-19 and respiratory virus hospital admissions.
- by Timna Jacks
Respiratory virus sends more children to hospital than flu or COVID
The virus can cause people to have trouble breathing or suffer dehydration, potentially lead to pneumonia, and is most severe in babies.
- by Timna Jacks
Testing change cuts off PCR access to symptomatic close contacts
When Matt Nevett arrived at a PCR testing site he was turned away, even though he had symptoms, was a close contact and was the only person waiting for a test.
- by Timna Jacks
Surgery delays ramp up amid rise in post-viral complications
Urgent category-one surgery is having to be rescheduled at some Victorian hospitals amid crippling staff shortages, as doctors warn of a rise in people arriving at hospital with life-threatening complications after coronavirus and flu infections.
- by Melissa Cunningham and Timna Jacks
COVID surge hits maternity wards, expectant mothers face delays
Expectant mothers are facing repeated delays to planned caesareans and birth inductions as oversubscribed maternity wards battle diminishing staffing levels and a surge in COVID-positive women giving birth.
- by Timna Jacks and Melissa Cunningham
Your responsibility: The best advice on ... masks in schools
What can we do as individuals to combat the winter COVID-19 wave? In the fifth instalment of a special series, The Age’s health team asks experts for the best advice on wearing masks in schools.
- by Timna Jacks
Updated
Schools
Mask-wearing in schools will only provide ‘marginal’ gain, experts say
The Victorian Education Department says students aged eight and over are expected to wear masks until the end of winter. The education minister said the new messaging was not a change in policy.
- by Ashleigh McMillan and Timna Jacks
Your responsibility: The best advice on ... COVID testing
What can we do as individuals to combat the winter COVID-19 wave? In the third instalment of our special series, The Age’s health team asks experts for the best advice on testing.
- by Timna Jacks
Your responsibility: The best advice on vaccines
What can we do as individuals to combat the winter COVID-19 wave? In the second part of our special series, the health team asks experts for the best advice on vaccinations.
- by Timna Jacks
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/by/timna-jacks-hvf7u