Live: All the coronavirus news you need in the one place

By Jacqueline Howard

Cases, hospitalisations and deaths

For a detailed breakdown of cases across the country, check out Charting the Spread.

NSW: 19 deaths and 8,950 new cases. 1,716 cases are in hospital with 108 of those in ICU

VIC: 13 deaths and 8,521 new cases. 553 cases are in hospital, 82 of those in ICU

QLD: 14 deaths and 5,977 new cases. 535 cases are in hospital

TAS: 552 new cases, 16 cases are in hospital, one in ICU

NSW update coming shortly

Here’s the line-up we’re expecting for the NSW media conference: Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Business Council of Australia CEO Jennifer Westacott, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant and NSW Health Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce.

Tasmania records 552 new cases

Tasmania has recorded zero deaths and 552 new cases overnight.

There are 16 people in hospital with the virus, one fewer than yesterday. 

One person is in ICU.

Tanya Plibersek tests positive to COVID

Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek has revealed she has tested positive to COVID-19.

The Shadow Minister for Education and Women tweeted this morning that she had been isolating with her children all week.

Ms Plibersek appeared on Q&A last night via video call from her home.

She says this morning she feels “a bit crappy”.

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Queensland records 14 deaths, 5,977 new cases

Queensland has recorded another 14 COVID-19 deaths in the latest reporting period and 5,977 new cases.

All of the deaths were people aged between 60-90 years.

There are 535 people with the virus in hospital.

There were 1,149 positive cases recorded in children aged five to 17.

Qld nursing home at centre of deadly COVID outbreak says it could not access boosters for weeks 

A manager from the Jeta Gardens Queensland residential facility, which is experiencing the state’s deadliest COVID-19 outbreak in aged care, has told residents’ families that vaccine booster shots were unavailable to the facility for weeks after the outbreak began.

Jeta Gardens compliance manager Cindy Ward offered an apology to residents’ families during an emotional online meeting yesterday.

She outlined why the Logan aged care home’s first vaccine booster clinic was only held on January 31 — more than a month after a COVID-19 outbreak was first declared at Jeta Gardens.

“There were never any vaccinations available to us prior to Christmas,” Ms Ward said.

“It was something that was followed up but … it was always, ‘You’re on the list. There’s heaps of … aged care organisations that are actually waiting for them.’

“Everyone is asking the question, ‘Why didn’t you have a booster clinic before?’

“There were no vaccinations is what I was informed, and there was no scheduled time for aged care to get them prior to that.”

Fifteen Jeta Gardens residents have died in the COVID-19 outbreak at the Logan facility.

Read the full story here.

New WA COVID-19 support package welcomed by businesses amid renewed border opening calls 

Businesses thrown a lifeline under a $77 million West Australian support package say they are grateful, but what they really need is for the state’s border to reopen.

The funding, announced by the state government yesterday, is meant to help those most affected by the decision to delay the border reopening.

Described by Premier Mark McGowan as a “shot in the arm”, the funding will be shared between travel agents, tourism businesses and those working in events and international education.

Tours, attractions and events in Perth have reported an 82 per cent downturn, while their regional counterparts say business has dropped by 55 per cent, according to WA’s Tourism Council.

As part of the package, many businesses will be able to claim between $10,000 and $20,000 for costs they incurred while preparing for the original reopening date of February 5, with an additional $50,000 on offer to cover the cost of refunding deposits from international and interstate cancellations.

Read the full story here.

 On national cabinet

Were there any announcements out of nashy cab yesterday?

-Nosy

 The big NC announcement was the change of definition of vaccination status.

ATAGI’s new advice to define someone who had received two vaccine doses and a booster as “up to date” rather than “fully vaccinated” was endorsed by national cabinet.

National cabinet agreed it would not mandate booster shots nationally, except for aged care workers.

But states and territories may decide to implement mandates in their own jurisdictions, which we may hear more on today.

National cabinet also agreed that international travellers could continue arriving in Australia with just two vaccine doses. 

Victorian press conference scheduled for 11:00am AEDT

Scott Morrison to speak at 10:30am AEDT

There’s a lot going on politically right now, so it’s unclear how much of this will be related to COVID. But, anything he does say, we will bring you here on the blog. 

Victoria records 13 deaths, 8,521 new cases

Victoria has recorded 13 deaths in the latest reporting period.

There are 553 people with the virus on hospital, of which 82 are in ICU.

There were 8,521 new cases in the reporting period (5,359 RAT/ 3,162 PCR)

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NSW records 19 deaths, 8,950 new cases

NSW recorded 19 COVID-19 deaths in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday.

There are 1,716 people with the virus in hospital, of which 108 are in ICU.

There were 8,950 new cases in the reporting period (5,289 RAT / 3,661 PCR)

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NSW press conference set for 11:15am AEDT

Pencil it in your diaries.

NSW COVID inquiry hearing 

Will there be a live stream for the NSW hearing today?

-Natty

Morning, Natty

The NSW upper house committee will be exploring the state government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in a virtual inquiry hearing beginning at 9:45am AEDT today.

The committee will be looking at things such as the reopening of NSW, and the recent pressures placed on the health and aged care sectors. Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant will appear.

The full stream will be publicly available on the NSW Legislative Council website. We’ll also bring you key moments here on the blog and elsewhere on ABC News platforms. 

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Restrictions ease in South Australia

Some welcome news for South Australians this morning as restrictions eased overnight.

Outdoor areas at pubs, clubs and restaurants will be able to operate at 75 per cent capacity. People who are having a drink in the outdoor areas will be allowed to do so while standing up. Indoor areas will remain at 50 per cent capacity.

Gyms will be able to operate at 25 per cent capacity.

For home gatherings, you’re able to have 50 people over to your house, up from 10.

South Australia is easing restrictions in four stages, released fortnightly. Premier Steven Marshall said the first round had gone extremely well. He said there had been no added pressure on the hospital system.

The next round of changes will be released on February 25. But, for now, people will be able to go out on the weekend and enjoy drinks standing up.

You can read up on the changes here.

Victoria, Western Australia expected to adopt three-vaccine rule after ATAGI decision

The federal government says it will not make three doses of a COVID vaccine mandatory for Australians, except for aged care workers. However, some states and territories are expected to make them compulsory.

In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews has previously flagged that once ATAGI changes the definition for fully vaccinated it will move to make three shots mandatory in order to be part of the “vaccinated economy”.

A whole range of Victorian workers from different sectors, including those healthcare, critical care, emergency services, prison officers, logistics and the like, were due to have their third booster by February 12, but health authorities have extended that deadline for that mandate until March 12 as long as they can provide evidence they do have a vaccination booking.

In Western Australia, Premier Mark McGowan has similarly flagged that vaccination requirements across the state are likely to be expanded to include a three-dose rule.

Prince Charles met with Queen before positive COVID-19 result, palace source says

Prince Charles, who has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time, recently met his mother the Queen, according to a palace source.

The prince, 73, pulled out of an event in the English town of Winchester on Thursday that was being held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Queen ascending the throne.

“This morning The Prince of Wales has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating,” his office, Clarence House, said in a statement on Twitter.

There was no immediate comment on his condition but a Buckingham Palace source confirmed he had recently met his 95-year-old mother.

Read the full story here.

Five-year-old Ruby, always ready for cuddles, farewelled after dying with COVID-19

Family, friends and carers are today saying goodbye to Sunshine Coast five-year-old Ruby Boston, who has become the youngest Queenslander to die with COVID-19.

Ruby, who lived with a rare genetic disorder, had displayed mild COVID symptoms but seemed to be getting better before her health suddenly deteriorated earlier this month.

Her aunt Lucinda Jeffrey said Ruby’s spirit was never dampened by the challenges she faced.

“She was just so little,” she said.

“But her legs did get quite long and she had these long, lovely arms that she’d outstretch towards you for cuddles.”

Since Ruby’s death, the devastated community has launched a fundraiser that has received more than $25,000 in donations. The family will release butterflies as a tribute to Ruby after the funeral service today.

Read the full story here.