Current status
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic on 11 March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic declaration is still active.
We report national case numbers and statistics in our weekly COVID-19 reportings.
Why there is an alert
On 21 January 2020, after a decision by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, ‘human coronavirus with pandemic potential’ was added to the Biosecurity (Listed Human Diseases) Determination 2016. This triggered:
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the standing up of the National Incident Centre
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the standing up of the National Medical Stockpile
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the readiness and activation of the National Trauma Centre
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daily meetings of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee
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meetings of state, territory and Commonwealth health ministers to discuss pandemic readiness.
On 25 February 2020, the Australian Government activated the Emergency Response Plan for Communicable Disease Incidents of National Significance: National Arrangements.
This was followed by the WHO declaring the global situation regarding COVID-19 to be a pandemic.
What are we doing
We are working closely with our state and territory counterparts to ensure a coordinated response.
Public health messaging regarding COVID-19 is focused on:
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making the public and health professionals aware of the symptoms
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promoting protective behaviours including hygiene measures, vaccination and oral antiviral treatment eligibility.
National expert groups have developed COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination guidelines.
Learn more about what we’re doing about COVID-19.