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Australian Covid outbreak: country wakes up to chaos amid incoming surge

Published

5 years ago

June 28, 2021

Australian residents are on high alert after a number of Covid outbreaks across the nation, with authorities warning the worst is yet to come

The Australian Federal Cabinet’s national security committee is expected to meet today to discuss the recent national Covid outbreak.

On Sunday, authorities recorded 37 new locally acquired Covid-19 infections in four separate jurisdictions.

Australia has largely been able to successfully manage the virus, but these recent outbreaks have authorities concerned.

Greater Darwin has entered a 48-hour lockdown

The territory’s Chief Minister called the outbreak the region’s ‘biggest coronavirus threat’ to date.

In Western Australia, residents in Perth and some surrounding regions are now subject to tougher restrictions.

New South Wales hits breaking point

Meanwhile, the situation in New South Wales is at breaking point after the Bondi cluster rose to 110 cases over the weekend. 19 of the cases were not in isolation while they were infectious.

“I also do want to foreshadow that given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days case numbers are likely to increase even beyond what we’ve seen,” said State Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour have started a two-week lockdown as a result.

Other states enact tougher border restrictions to prevent further spread

The states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania have all enacted tougher border restrictions with neighbouring regions.

Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory is enforcing mask-wearing for the first time since the pandemic began.

The Northern Territory recently recorded four local cases linked back to a miner who flew in from Queensland

Can mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines help manage the Australian Covid outbreak?

This comes as Australia fails to quickly vaccinate the population. Some experts have suggested that mixing different types of Covid vaccines might be a potential solution.

Dr John Hart says people can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as the first dose, then Pfizer or Moderna as the second dose.

“Many countries around the world, like Australia, have recommended that people in younger age groups don’t receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark and Norway are among the countries that are advising mixed vaccination schedules.

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William Howard

William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment. With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'. A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.

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Over 330,000 displaced as Middle East tensions escalate

Published

4 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Harvey Vargas

The Middle East is facing a growing humanitarian crisis as renewed conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran sends shockwaves across the region. Families are fleeing cities, villages, and towns, leaving behind homes and livelihoods in search of safety amid rising violence. The UN refugee agency reports that thousands of people are on the move daily, particularly from Tehran and other affected areas in Iran.

In Lebanon, the humanitarian toll is mounting. Over 84,000 people are now sheltering in nearly 400 collective sites, while more than 30,000 have crossed into Syria since the escalation began. Evacuation orders affecting over 50 villages triggered a wave of displacement from southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, adding to tens of thousands still displaced from the 2024 conflict. Many are attempting to flee on foot with few belongings, seeking safety in neighbouring areas.

The situation is raising fears of a wider refugee crisis. European authorities warn that displacement of just 10 percent of Iran’s population could rival the largest refugee flows of recent decades. Turkey has prepared facilities for up to 90,000 potential arrivals, while the UNHCR says it requires $454 million in 2026 to support displaced populations across Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia—but has received only 15 percent so far.

News

Trump weighs U.S. role in Iran as Middle East conflict escalates

Trump consults advisers on U.S. strategy post-Iran conflict as regional tensions escalate amid military actions.

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump consults advisers on U.S. strategy post-Iran conflict as regional tensions escalate amid military actions.

President Trump is consulting with top advisers on how the U.S. should respond once the conflict in Iran subsides. Decisions on military, diplomatic, and regional strategies are reportedly being finalised amid the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran has targeted multiple regional sites while Israel intercepted a jet fighter over Tehran, signalling a dangerously volatile situation. International concern grows as conflicts risk wider escalation.

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#MiddleEastCrisis #IranConflict #TrumpUpdate #USMilitary #Israel #AirCampaign #GlobalTensions #BreakingNews

News

U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship near Sri Lanka

U.S. video of Iranian warship sinking escalates tensions, confirms submarine responsible near Sri Lanka, sparks geopolitical concerns.

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. video of Iranian warship sinking escalates tensions, confirms submarine responsible near Sri Lanka, sparks geopolitical concerns.

A dramatic video showing the sinking of an Iranian warship has been released by the United States, escalating tensions in an already volatile region. While the exact date and full details of the footage remain unverified, the images have quickly gone viral across global platforms.

U.S. Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that a U.S. submarine was responsible for sinking the Iranian vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The development marks a significant flashpoint in maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister identified the ship as the IRIS Dena, raising fresh geopolitical questions about Tehran’s naval movements and Washington’s strategic response.

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#Iran #USMilitary #SriLanka #Geopolitics #NavalWarfare #BreakingNews #DefenseNews #GlobalTensions