The ACT has woken up to lockdown, joining NSW, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong and many towns in regional NSW.
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But despite the virus continuing to leak into the regions, the NSW government has ruled out a statewide lockdown for the time being.
However, additional military troops are likely to be called in and may be used to help administer AstraZeneca vaccines.
Health officials are "very concerned" about the potential spread among vulnerable communities in NSW, with the majority of new cases in Dubbo and Walgett diagnosed in Aboriginal people.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday confirmed an additional 7680 Pfizer vaccine doses would be provided for the affected areas.
Canberra is locked down for a week after a local man was out and about while infectious for four days.
There was panic buying in the nation's capital yesterday as news of the lockdown broke, the likes not seen since 2020.
The ACT is shut off from most of the country as Canberra's exposure sites are expected to grow significantly.
Victorian health authorities are concerned after mystery coronavirus cases emerged among two unconnected families in Melbourne's north.
Victoria's COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar said the families don't know each other and their children do not attend the same school or sports club.
In political news, National cabinet will meet today and receive a detailed update on the vaccine rollout.
Want to know how Australia's real estate market stacks up around the globe? ACM property writer Jack Needham has done the maths and writes if you think Australia's regional house price growth is out of control then you should spare a thought for the Canadians.
In Olympics news, a Japanese mayor has said sorry for biting the Olympic gold medal of a softball player who had paid a courtesy visit to the city following Japan's victory over the United States in the final.
Nagoya mayor Takashi Kawamura has since offered to pay for the cost of a new medal for Miu Goto. Goto, however, has accepted the International Olympic Committee's offer of a replacement, according to Japanese media reports.