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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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)

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. COVID vaccination linked to lower household spread

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

    JAMA Network Open

    People who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to transmit the virus on to others, a new US study has found. ... The authors say the findings suggest recent COVID vaccination may still Read more about COVID vaccination linked to lower household spread

    InternationalNational Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases - US

  10. EXPERT REACTION: Aussies on hantavirus affected ship due to return today

    Publicly released: Fri 15 May 2026 at 1106 AEST, 1306 NZST

    Five Australians and one New Zealander from the hantavirus-affected cruise ship are expected to land in Perth today. ... The passengers will remain at the Bullsbrook Quarantine Facility. Below, Australian Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussies on hantavirus affected ship due to return today

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WAAustralian Science Media Centre

  11. WHO says we are unlikely to hit health and health-related sustainable development goals by 2030 target

    Publicly released: Wed 13 May 2026 at 2300 AEST, Thu 14 May 26 at 0100 NZST

    World Health Statistics 2026

    The prevalence of anaemia in women rose slightly in recent years, the researchers find, and the number of children under five years who are overweight has increased. ... COVID-19 spiked the number of Read more about WHO says we are unlikely to hit health and health-related sustainable development goals by 2030 target

    Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; InternationalWorld Health Organisation, Switzerland

  12. An army of giant raccoons takes on the trolls: Why belief in conspiracy theories is probably less common than surveys say

    Publicly released: Fri 8 May 2026 at 1458 AEST, 1658 NZST

    Collabra: Psychology

    Survey participants were also asked to consider two clearly contradictory theories about coronavirus – “Governments are covering up the fact that 5G mobile networks spread coronavirus” and Read more about An army of giant raccoons takes on the trolls: Why belief in conspiracy theories is probably less common than surveys say

    Australia; NSWMacquarie University

  13. Construction sector adapts to global shocks faster than expected

    Publicly released: Thu 7 May 2026 at 1106 AEST, 1306 NZST

    International Journal of Production Economics

    The study, conducted by researchers from Adelaide University and Flinders University, found that while the sector faced significant delays, cost increases and material shortages during events Read more about Construction sector adapts to global shocks faster than expected

    Australia; SAAdelaide University | Flinders University

  14. mRNA vaccine outperforms standard flu jabs

    Publicly released: Thu 7 May 2026 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

    New England Journal of Medicine

    Vaccine manufacturer Moderna developed a messenger-RNA vaccine - the same mechanism used for the company's COVID-19 vaccine - that acted on the same three influenza strains as the regular flu Read more about mRNA vaccine outperforms standard flu jabs

    InternationalGhent University, Belgium, Moderna, USA

  15. BACKGROUND BRIEFING: What to expect from the 2026 flu season

    Publicly released: Fri 1 May 2026 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

    Case numbers for flu, COVID-19, and RSVHow do flu, COVID-19, and RSV numbers impact our crowded hospitals?What flu strains do our vaccines cover - are we protected against Super ... K?What's happening Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: What to expect from the 2026 flu season

    Australia; NSW; VICThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity ...

  16. Losing a loved one may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke

    Publicly released: Sat 25 Apr 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    The large study of over five million people found that bereavement was linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and that the risk was greater during the COVID-19 period ... Bereavement and Read more about Losing a loved one may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke

    InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden

  17. New tool tracks how microbes spread — even when they look almost identical

    Publicly released: Fri 24 Apr 2026 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

    Nature Microbiology

    The team tested the TRACS tool using a wide range of data, including viruses responsible for COVID-19, bacteria that cause pneumonia, and parasites responsible for malaria. ... Researchers believe the Read more about New tool tracks how microbes spread — even when they look almost identical

    Australia; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre | The University of Melbourne ...

  18. Memorials of people who died with extreme fatigue condition share themes of neglect

    Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2026 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    PLOS One

    The condition called ME/CFS can involve pain, 'brain fog', and poor sleep - with symptoms worsening after activity. ... The authors highlight possible links between such experiences and risk of death, Read more about Memorials of people who died with extreme fatigue condition share themes of neglect

    InternationalIowa State University, US

  19. EXPERT REACTION: These coronaviruses enter human cells in a whole new way and could be a threat to health

    Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    Nature

    Of all the types of coronaviruses, scientists know most about how betacoronaviruses enter cells - a group that includes the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Although six such receptors have been Read more about EXPERT REACTION: These coronaviruses enter human cells in a whole new way and could be a threat to health

    Australia; International; NSWPirbright Institute, UK

  20. Teen cannabis use rose after US legalisation, but then returned to normal

    Publicly released: Sat 18 Apr 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    They found use increased after legalisation, but decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic, and had returned to pre-legalisation levels by 2024. ... The findings suggest adolescent cannabis use is sensitive Read more about Teen cannabis use rose after US legalisation, but then returned to normal

    InternationalKaiser Permanente Northern California, USA

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