Resources for Journalists

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, that has not been previously identified in humans. See below for a collection of resources to help you cover this issue (Please note: additional resources are available to journalists who are logged in).

The AusSMC also issues a daily COVID-19 update for registered journalists (click here to view an example). If you would like to receive this email, please go to your profile on MyScimex and select yes beside "Receive COVID-19 Updates?". The email update and this resources page are supported by the Google News Initiative.

Latest COVID-19 news, research, expert reactions and briefings

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  1. EXPERT REACTION: First case of deadly H5 bird flu in a local Australian seabird detected

    Publicly released: Fri 10 Jul 2026 at 1330 AEST, 1530 NZST

    Highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has been detected in an Australian seabird, a greater crested tern, marking the first time it has been detected in a local bird rather than a ... The bird, which was found Read more about EXPERT REACTION: First case of deadly H5 bird flu in a local Australian seabird detected

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WA; TASAustralian Science Media Centre

  2. Hidden pathway drives COVID-19 infections

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

    Nature Communications

    The study by La Trobe University and WEHI researchers found SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can hide inside tiny fragments of dying infected cells, known as apoptotic ... Rather than targeting Read more about Hidden pathway drives COVID-19 infections

    Australia; VICLa Trobe University | WEHI | The University of Melbourne

  3. EXPERT REACTION: Australia's latest health report card reveals strengths and weaknesses

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

    Life expectancy has risen steadily over decades, with a recent decrease seen across the years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The rate of ED presentations has declined in recent years, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Australia's latest health report card reveals strengths and weaknesses

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  4. On-site virus testing in nursing homes could reduce hospital visits and speed up treatment

    Publicly released: Tue 7 Jul 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Internal Medicine

    On-site testing devices for viral infections such as flu and COVID-19 in nursing homes could reduce the number of people transferred to hospital, according to international research. ... The team found Read more about On-site virus testing in nursing homes could reduce hospital visits and speed up treatment

    InternationalSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada

  5. Companies avoiding tax more likely to greenwash

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

    Business Strategy and Development

    The study analysed 391 Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed companies between 2019 and 2022, including the period of economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The paper, Surviving Read more about Companies avoiding tax more likely to greenwash

    Australia; WAMurdoch University | Curtin University

  6. Why taking a sick day depends on more than being sick

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Jul 2026 at 1302 AEST, 1502 NZST

    Applied Economics

    The study, published in Applied Economics, examines how workers’ health and economic circumstances dictate how many sick days they actually take. ... We focused on this period to avoid the COVID years, Read more about Why taking a sick day depends on more than being sick

    Australia; NSW; QLDUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) | The University of Queensland

  7. Billions of doses of mRNA vaccines confirm they are safe and effective

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Jul 2026 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    The Lancet

    than the risk of developing myocarditis or pericarditis from a SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... The analysis found that across various clinical trials and real-world data, mRNA vaccines are about 87% effective Read more about Billions of doses of mRNA vaccines confirm they are safe and effective

    InternationalUniversity of British Columbia, Canada

  8. It's probably ok to get the flu and COVID jab on the same day

    Publicly released: Tue 30 Jun 2026 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    The results showed that same-day vaccination of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines did not increase the risk for adverse heart events, neurological disorders, immune-mediated disorders, and other Read more about It's probably ok to get the flu and COVID jab on the same day

    InternationalWashington University, USA

  9. Afraid to grow up? It gets less scary over time

    Publicly released: Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 2300 AEST, Fri 26 Jun 26 at 0100 NZST

    Developmental Psychology

    The survey asked participants to rate their agreement with statements such as “I wish that I could return to the security of childhood” and “The happiest time in life is when ... Future research Read more about Afraid to grow up? It gets less scary over time

    InternationalAuburn University, USA

  10. A 2025-2026 COVID-19 jab could keep you out of hospital

    Publicly released: Wed 24 Jun 2026 at 0110 AEST, 0310 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    The 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccines boost existing immunity against the virus, and protect people against emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalisation, according to US scientists. ... They looked at Read more about A 2025-2026 COVID-19 jab could keep you out of hospital

    InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, USA

  11. EXPERT REACTION: Suspected H5N1 bird-flu case in Australia

    Publicly released: Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1637 AEST, 1837 NZST

    The first suspected case of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has been detected in Australia. ... Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced that a migratory bird in south-west WA has died, and the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Suspected H5N1 bird-flu case in Australia

    Australia; VIC; QLDAustralian Science Media Centre

  12. 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines reduce risk of virus-linked hospitalisation and heart problems

    Publicly released: Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Internal Medicine

    People who received a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine were less likely to require medical treatment for the virus and less likely to have a major heart problem in the following ... undetected SARS-CoV-2 and Read more about 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines reduce risk of virus-linked hospitalisation and heart problems

    InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, USA (Paper 1), US Department of Veterans Affairs, USA (Paper 2)

  13. A COVID-19 drug might help in treating severe hantavirus

    Publicly released: Thu 4 Jun 2026 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    The Lancet Infectious Diseases

    Tocilizumab - A drug used for treating COVID-19 - has shown some promise in treating hantavirus, according to an early report from a larger ongoing study. ... The researchers emphasise that this is an Read more about A COVID-19 drug might help in treating severe hantavirus

    InternationalHospital Zonal de Bariloche Dr Ramón Carrillo, Argentina

  14. Approximately 1 in 6 cases of COVID-19 might have ended in long COVID

    Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2026 at 1633 AEST, 1833 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    International researchers have scanned through COVID-19 cases in the US and found that close to 1 in 6 cases ended up becoming long COVID. ... The researchers investigated close to 458,000 patients with Read more about Approximately 1 in 6 cases of COVID-19 might have ended in long COVID

    InternationalMassachusetts General Hospital, USA

  15. COVID racism driven by more than fear of infection

    Publicly released: Tue 19 May 2026 at 1405 AEST, 1605 NZST

    The Journal of Social Psychology

    fully account for the rise in aggressive anti-Asian responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by a marked rise in anti-Asian sentiment, with individuals of Asian Read more about COVID racism driven by more than fear of infection

    Australia; International; WAMurdoch University | James Cook University

  16. EXPERT REACTION: NT diphtheria outbreak spreads to WA, QLD and SA

    Publicly released: Tue 19 May 2026 at 1301 AEST, 1501 NZST

    The outbreak has been reported to have spread beyond the NT border, into Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia. ... The NT has reported 133 cases, including one likely death, along with 79 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: NT diphtheria outbreak spreads to WA, QLD and SA

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  17. The world is on the edge of even greater pandemic damage

    Publicly released: Mon 18 May 2026 at 2000 AEST, 2200 NZST

    gaps in outbreak preparedness – and six years after COVID-19 turned those gaps into a global catastrophe – the evidence is clear: the world is not safer from pandemics. ... And the escalating toll of Read more about The world is on the edge of even greater pandemic damage

    InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO) | Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB)

  18. EXPERT REACTION: Ebola outbreak declared a public health emergency of international concern

    Publicly released: Mon 18 May 2026 at 1133 AEST, 1333 NZST

    The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). ... The WHO says there Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Ebola outbreak declared a public health emergency of international concern

    Australia; International; NSW; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  19. First signs of recovery emerge in Australia’s youth mental health crisis

    Publicly released: Mon 18 May 2026 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

    Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

    Trend set pre-pandemicThe results suggest Australia’s youth mental health crisis did not begin with COVID-19, but rather that the pandemic intensified already existing trends that emerged in the Read more about First signs of recovery emerge in Australia’s youth mental health crisis

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  20. Could antivirals help prevent long COVID?

    Publicly released: Sat 16 May 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    People who take antiviral medicines soon after getting COVID-19 may be less likely to develop long COVID symptoms, a large Japanese study suggests. ... The researchers say early antiviral treatment may Read more about Could antivirals help prevent long COVID?

    InternationalShonan Oiso Hospital - Japan

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