Coronavirus (COVID-19) current situation and case numbers
This page provides updates about the current situation, latest case numbers and related information. It is updated every day by 9 pm AEST and reflects the previous 24 hours.
Local outbreak information
Check your local state or territory website for directives and travel restrictions.
We are managing the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia as a health emergency. This page provides a number of visual representations of information about COVID-19 in Australia.
COVID-19 summary statistics
The below tiles show the:
- number of locally acquired, overseas acquired and under investigation cases in the last 24 hours
- current number of active cases, hospitalised cases and tests conducted in the last 24 hours. Note: the number of active cases is an estimate as states and territories differ in how they collect this data
- total number of cases, deaths and tests.
Note: States and territories provide these figures daily. Due to the dynamic nature of case data, state and territory health departments may revise their daily numbers, where historic cases may be added or previously reported cases excluded after further investigation.
Daily data on the status of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is now available. This includes a detailed infographic and breakdown of vaccine doses administered across Australia. See the latest data on Australia's vaccine rollout.
Dhawra nhuna, dhawra Ngunawal. Yanggu gulanyin ngalawiri, dhunayi, Ngunawal dhawra. Wanggarralijinyin mariny balan bugarabang. And I also acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands where people may be working from.
My shout out today goes to people in remote communities that are still coming forward to receive the vaccination when offered. The remote rollout of the vaccine goes in sequences across different regions. It might be the vaccine will be offered in a few weeks, or you might be part of the rollout right now, but thank you to everyone who has shown up to be vaccinated.
First question, why do some people experience more severe reactions than others to the COVID-19 vaccine?
Every person's immune system is unique and it reacts differently to being exposed to different things, including vaccines. Most vaccines have side effects and the COVID-19 vaccines are no different in that respect. So, you may experience some side-effects following vaccination.
The most common reactions are a little bit of soreness in the injection site, a bit of pain, a bit of redness. You can also get a mild fever, you might also get a headache or some muscle aches. They normally are mild, they appear in one to 3 days of receiving the vaccine and then go away by themselves.
Some people, get a more noticeable, more severe, flulike type of symptoms when they get the vaccine and with the COVID-19 vaccines sometimes more than others, but that is also normal and nothing to be worried about.
Some people experience a slightly different pattern of side effects with the second dose than they do with the first one.
Some people experience more of a reaction with the first one, whereas with for instance, the Pfizer vaccine more people seem to experience a bit more of these effects with the second dose.
It is really important that everyone completes a course of vaccination and that is, getting your second dose after you have received the first one, three weeks after for the Pfizer vaccine and preferably 12 weeks after for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The more serious reactions, like what we call anaphylaxis, which is a really serious form of an allergic reaction, tend to appear quickly. So these reactions normally appear within 15 minutes of receiving the vaccine and that is why for vaccines, including the flu or COVID-19 vaccines, people are asked to wait for 15 minutes in the health clinic after the vaccine before they can go. So if there is anything, something like anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction occurring they are still at the clinic when that comes up.
There is also a COVID-19 vaccine symptom checker on the Department of Health’s website on health.gov.au that can help you identify the side-effects you are experiencing, and give some advice on what to do next. You can also find the COVID-19 vaccine side effects system checker on the national coronavirus triage hotline on 1800020080.
Of course, these tools online or on the phone, are just to give general advice and they do not substitute going to your health professional for your individual advice.
If you are concerned about your side-effects after the vaccine, if they are much more severe, or you feel much more unwell than you were expecting and of course if you experience something very significant, like shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of your leg, severe abdominal pain that does not go away or neurological symptoms, like blurred vision, or headache that is different to other headaches you have had and does not go away with pain relief, then you should seek urgent medical attention, either calling your health professional or going to a hospital.
Remember, we talk about side effects, and we have before, as showing the immune system is reacting, but if you don't experience side-effects it doesn't mean the vaccine is not working. We shouldn't you side-effects as a proxy for vaccine effectiveness because everyone is different and people react differently and you may react different to the same vaccine as well as people who experience different reactions to the flu vaccine year after year.
Side effects are normal. If they are severe, serious, or really concerning to you, seek medical help, but otherwise, just go online if you have questions.
Second question, if I have a reaction to the vaccine should I let my doctor know straight away?
If you or your healthcare provider think that a vaccine has caused side-effects it is important to report it. We encourage you to report it. That helps us map and fully understand, as the vaccines are rolled out, as any vaccines are rolled out, warning factors and we can tailor advice on what to expect after the vaccine.
If you go to your healthcare professional, regular provider, or the organisation that provided the vaccine for you, and report your side effect, they will report it for you to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the regulator in Australia. You can also go to the TGA website on TGA.gov.au and report it yourself. There is an online form for that.
There is also an online, phone line system from NPS Medicine Wise for reporting of adverse medicine events and you can access that on one 3001 34237, 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM.
If you are concerned about side-effects, seek medical attention.
And finally, I have a few booster shots. Should I wait two weeks between each?
The advice for the COVID-19 vaccines is that we space the dose 14 days, or two weeks, from other vaccines. Because vaccines have side effects, as we have been discussing, we want to make sure we are able to differentiate what side-effects belong to what vaccine, and that is why the general advice is to space any vaccine, any COVID 19 vaccine, two weeks from any other vaccine, including the flu or including booster shots for other vaccines.
Ultimately, we strongly encourage you to chat to your health professional and they can help you chart how the regime for your booster shots will be, and which vaccines to get at which spacing, so you can get the booster shots you need but maintain that two-week window in between COVID-19 and other vaccines.
More information on this topic and on everything else COVID-19 and vaccines is available on health.gov.au or on the national coronavirus helpline on 1 800 020080.
Thank you for watching, thank you for staying COVID Safe and see you next time.
Thank you.
Thank you Linda.
We are no longer displaying the ‘at a glance’ infographic on this page. Instead, you can view the daily infographics on the collection page.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a glance infographic collection
A collection of daily infographics providing a quick view of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Australia each day since 5 April 2020.
Recently reported cases by state and territory and source of infection
Local, overseas acquired and under investigation cases by states and territories
This table shows the number of cases by source of infection in the last 24 hours and last 7 days as well as the number of active cases that have occurred in Australia.
State and territory totals reflect where a person has been tested and public health management occurred, which may differ from their normal place of residence.
The majority of total confirmed cases and deaths are from Victoria.
The number of confirmed cases and deaths reported in each state and territory since the first case was reported in late January 2020. State and territory totals reflect where a person has been tested and public health management occurred, which may differ from their normal place of residence.
As per the COVID-19 national guidelines, a COVID-19 confirmed case is a person who:
- tests positive to a validated specific SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test or
- has the virus isolated in cell culture, with PCR confirmation using a validated method or
- undergoes a seroconversion to or has a significant rise in SARS-CoV-2 neutralising or IgG antibody level (e.g. four-fold or greater rise in titre).
Probable and historical cases are currently included in the total number of cases reported by some jurisdictions, these are defined as per the COVID-19 national guidelines.
Probable and historical cases are currently included in the total number of cases reported by some jurisdictions, these are defined as per the COVID-19 national guidelines.
The method used to estimate the number of active cases varies by jurisdiction.
Find out more about the current situation in your state or territory:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Daily reported cases
Daily and cumulative number of reported COVID-19 cases in Australia
This graph shows the total number of new COVID-19 cases in Australia reported each day by states and territories and the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported over time. These figures are collated and updated by 9 pm AEST each day and reflect the previous 24 hours.
This bar chart shows the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases by notification received date.
The line graph shows the cumulative number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases by notification received date.
The horizontal axis shows the date of notification to state and territory health departments.
The vertical axis on the left shows the number of new COVID-19 cases, represented by the bars.
The vertical axis on the right shows the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases, represented by the line.
As per the COVID-19 national guidelines, a COVID-19 confirmed case is a person who:
- tests positive to a validated specific SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test or
- has the virus isolated in cell culture, with PCR confirmation using a validated method or
- undergoes a seroconversion to or has a significant rise in SARS-CoV-2 neutralising or IgG antibody level (e.g. four-fold or greater rise in titre).
The first cases of COVID-19 in Australia were identified in late January 2020. Following a peak of cases at the end of March, low numbers of cases were reported each day until early-June 2020. From mid-June 2020, cases increased and peaked in early August 2020 and then declined. Since late-September 2020, a low number of new cases continue to be reported each day.
Total COVID-19 cases in Australia by source of infection
Total COVID-19 cases in Australia by source of infection
This table shows the number of COVID-19 cases by source of infection for each state and territory, since the first case was reported. The table also shows the total number of cases and deaths by state and territory.
This table shows the number of COVID-19 cases by source of infection for each state and territory, since the first case was reported. The table also shows the total number of cases and deaths by state and territory.
The source of infection for confirmed cases of COVID-19 can be described as:
- overseas acquired – the person was infected while overseas (including at sea)
- locally acquired – known contact – the person was infected in Australia through contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19
- locally acquired – unknown contact – the person was infected in Australia, but the source of infection is not known
- locally acquired –interstate travel – the person was infected in Australia, but not in the reporting jurisdiction
- under investigation – the source of infection has not yet been determined, but is currently being investigated through public health actions.
The majority of confirmed cases since late October have been overseas acquired.
The number of cases currently under investigation should ideally be as low as possible.
Knowing the source of infection assists in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
A COVID-19 death is defined for surveillance purposes as a death in a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case, unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to COVID19 (e.g. trauma). There should be no period of complete recovery from COVID-19 between illness and death. Where a Coroner’s report is available, these findings are to be observed.
Cases and deaths by age and sex
COVID-19 cases by age group and sex
This graph shows the number of COVID-19 cases for males and females by age group since the first case was reported.
This bar chart shows the number of COVID-19 cases for males and females by age group since the first confirmed cases were reported in late January 2020.
The horizontal axis shows the age breakdown in 10-year intervals from zero years old to greater than 90 years old.
The vertical axis shows the number of COVID-19 cases.
As per the COVID-19 national guidelines, a COVID-19 confirmed case is a person who:
- tests positive to a validated specific SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test or
- has the virus isolated in cell culture, with PCR confirmation using a validated method or
- undergoes a seroconversion to or has a significant rise in SARS-CoV-2 neutralising or IgG antibody level (e.g. four-fold or greater rise in titre).
The proportion of COVID-19 cases in males and females is roughly equal, however the ratio does differ across the age groups presented.
Cases have been reported across all age groups. The majority of all cases are reported in those aged 20 to 59 years. The number of cases is highest in the 20–29 years age group.
COVID-19 deaths by age group and sex
This graph shows the number of COVID-19 associated deaths in Australia for males and females by age group since the first case was reported.
This bar chart shows the total number of COVID-19 associated deaths in Australia by age group and sex since the first confirmed cases were reported in late January 2020.
As per the COVID-19 national guidelines, a COVID-19 death is defined for surveillance purposes as a death in a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case, unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to COVID19 (e.g. trauma). There should be no period of complete recovery from COVID-19 between illness and death. Where a Coroner’s report is available, these findings are to be observed.
Deaths have been reported in those aged in their 20s to their 100s. The majority of deaths have been reported in people aged 70 years and over.
The horizontal axis shows the age breakdown in 10-year intervals from zero years old to greater than 90 years old.
The vertical axis shows the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths.
Tests conducted and results
COVID-19 tests conducted in total in the last 7 days and results
This table shows the number of COVID-19 tests conducted in total and in the last 7 days, the rate of tests in the last 7 days per 100,000 population and the percentage that returned a positive result by state and territory and in Australia, since the first case was reported.
This table shows the number of tests conducted in Australia and in each state and territory, since the first case was reported in late January 2020 in total and in the last 7 days. This number is not reflective of the number of people that have been tested, but the total number of tests conducted, as individuals may have been tested multiple times. The data are based on information reported by states and territories.
Tests in the last 7 days per 100,000 population represent the number of tests conducted by each state and territory in the last 7 days as a rate of the number of people in the jurisdiction.
The testing positivity rate is also displayed. This positivity rate represents the proportion of all tests that have returned a positive result for COVID-19.
To date, over 13 million tests have been conducted nationally. Of those tests conducted, less than 1% have been positive.
Cases admitted to hospital
Current COVID-19 cases in hospitals and Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
This graph shows the number of COVID-19 cases currently admitted to hospital, including cases in ICUs, in Australia and each state and territory.
This chart shows the number of COVID-19 cases currently in hospital, including cases in ICU, in Australia and each state and territory.
Each bar represents those in ICU and those not in ICU by state and territory.
The horizontal axis shows the number of COVID-19 cases currently hospitalised.
The vertical axis shows the Australian total and each state and territory: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and WA.
Cases in aged care services
COVID-19 cases in aged care services – residential care
This graph shows the number of confirmed active COVID-19 cases, deaths and recovered cases, in Australia and each state and territory, for people living in Australian Government–subsidised residential aged care facilities.
This graph shows the number of confirmed cases, deaths and cases recovered since late January 2020 in those who receive Australian Government–subsidised residential care in each state and territory.
Residential care means people who live in an Australian Government–subsidised aged care facility.
Each bar represents the number of active cases, recovered cases and deaths.
The bottom axis shows the number of COVID-19 cases.
The vertical axis shows the Australian total and each state and territory: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and WA.
The majority of cases and deaths reported in residential care in Australia have occurred in Victoria.
COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian residential aged care facilities
Read the weekly report that provides a snapshot of data on the impact of COVID-19 in residential aged care facilities nationally.
The report includes data on the number of services impacted and number of staff and resident cases, as well as workforce, testing and PPE provided to affected services to support them.
COVID-19 cases in aged care services – in-home care
This graph shows the number of confirmed active COVID-19 cases, deaths and recovered cases, in Australia and each state and territory, for people receiving Australian Government–subsidised care in their own home.
The number of confirmed cases, deaths and cases recovered since late January 2020 in those who receive Australian Government–subsidised in-home care in Australia and in each state and territory.
In-home care means people who receive Australian Government subsidised care in their own home.
Each bar represents the number of active cases, recovered cases and deaths.
The bottom axis shows the number of COVID-19 cases.
The vertical axis shows the Australian total and each state and territory: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and WA.
The majority of cases reported in In-home care in Australia are in Victoria.
How Australia compares with the world
Learn more about the international situation from the World Health Organization (WHO). Read their weekly situation reports and check the WHO COVID-19 dashboard.