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. Fat stores power the body’s virus defence

    Publicly released: Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

    Nature Communications

    strategies. Fat stores power the body’s virus defenceLa Trobe University scientists have uncovered the critical role fatty cell structures play in our body’s early detection and defence against Read more about Fat stores power the body’s virus defence

    Australia; NSW; VICLa Trobe University | The University of Sydney | RMIT University ...

  2. Mental disorders surge among young adults

    Publicly released: Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific

    They also found that while rates for most presentations accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were also increasing in the lead up, cautioning against solely assigning blame to COVID. Read more about Mental disorders surge among young adults

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  3. Recent rise in autism mostly driven by women and girls getting diagnosed

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

    JAMA Network Open

    that period, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. ... However, the researchers say diagnosis rates among males remained steady - the increase was mostly driven by teen and adult women. Read more about Recent rise in autism mostly driven by women and girls getting diagnosed

    InternationalSt Louis University, USA

  4. EXPERT REACTION: AusAlert - Australia's emergency warning system test

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Jul 2026 at 1540 AEST, 1740 NZST

    On Monday, a test of a new national warning system, AusAlert, will be sent to all mobile devices in Australia, including some smartwatches and tablets. ... The test will be sent at the same time across Read more about EXPERT REACTION: AusAlert - Australia's emergency warning system test

    Australia; VIC; QLD; SA; WA

  5. Why key antiviral defenses failed in some severe COVID-19 patients

    Publicly released: Sun 19 Jul 2026 at 2322 AEST, Mon 20 Jul 26 at 0122 NZST

    Cell

    Although the COVID-19 pandemic has largely subsided, scientists continue to investigate why the virus proved so deadly, causing at least three million deaths worldwide, according to the latest Read more about Why key antiviral defenses failed in some severe COVID-19 patients

    InternationalUniversity of Sharjah

  6. COVID-19 booster strategies provide lasting immunity

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

    Journal of Infection

    Fractional dosing attracted global interest during the COVID-19 pandemic when vaccine supplies were limited. ... MCRI Associate Professor Paul Licciardi said while the acute phase of the pandemic had Read more about COVID-19 booster strategies provide lasting immunity

    Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute | The University of Melbourne ...

  7. Patterns in heart-related deaths echo seasonal surges of respiratory illness

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    Global Public Health

    The COVID-19 pandemic allowed German scientists to study the timing of seasonal respiratory diseases like flu and RSV. ... The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to explore these dynamics, Read more about Patterns in heart-related deaths echo seasonal surges of respiratory illness

    InternationalMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology , Plön, Germany

  8. English kids born during COVID-19 lockdown still struggling at age 4

    Publicly released: Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    Archives of Disease in Childhood

    Kids born during the first COVID-19 lockdown in England have lower levels of executive functioning - crucial skills involved in making plans, solving problems and adapting to new situations - at age Read more about English kids born during COVID-19 lockdown still struggling at age 4

    InternationalCity St George’s, University of London, UK

  9. The customer isn’t always right: overlooked source of workplace discrimination

    Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 1002 AEST, 1202 NZST

    Journal of Services Marketing

    Participants had experience across hospitality, retail, banking and finance, trades, consultancy and the not-for-profit sector. Read more about The customer isn’t always right: overlooked source of workplace discrimination

    Australia; QLD; SAAdelaide University | The University of Queensland

  10. Grandma and Grandpa were getting COVID-19 at kids' birthday parties during the pandemic

    Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    Grandparents were nearly 10% more likely to get COVID-19 in the week of their grandchildren's birthdays during the pandemic, according to Danish research from 2020-2022 when official advice Read more about Grandma and Grandpa were getting COVID-19 at kids' birthday parties during the pandemic

    InternationalStatens Serum Institut, Denmark

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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)

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

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