This was exemplified by the declaration of a "yellow emergency" at Westmead Hospital on Tuesday as COVID-19 cases climb in western Sydney.

The hospital would immediately reduce ambulance arrivals for COVID-19 patients for a 24-hour period, seek to transfer several critical patients to other Sydney metropolitan hospitals and conduct urgent critical care reviews.

This morning, a cavalcade of music stars have paid tribute to The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts following his death aged 80.

Watts' death comes just weeks after it was announced that the drummer, who celebrated his 80th birthday in June, was to miss the band's forthcoming US tour.

Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr along with Sir Elton John led the chorus of tributes. Monty Python star Eric Idle said on Twitter: "Saddened by the loss of Charlie Watts. A kind and gentle man. He will be very missed."

Temporary restrictions have been placed upon renowned Sydney neurosurgeon Charlie Teo's medical licence after complaints about his work.

The measures include a rule that Dr Teo obtains written support from an approved neurosurgeon before performing certain types of brain tumour surgery.

The restrictions follow the opening of an investigation by the Health Care Complaints Commission. The complaints levelled against the neurosurgeon have not been publicly revealed.

In Tokyo, Australia has started the Paralympics with social isolation, sending just three people to the opening ceremony. Chef de mission Kate McLoughlin was the only Australian team member to join flag bearers and team co-captains Danni di Toro and Ryley Batt in the ceremony.

Action gets started today. Australia's Paige Greco holds the world record for the 3000m individual pursuit in the C3 category and the C1-3 event will be the first medals decided on Wednesday afternoon at the Paralympics.

Meanwhile fast food giant McDonald's has run out of milkshakes in most of its UK restaurants due to supply chain problems.

The burger chain has also been left without bottled drinks across its 1,250 outlets in England, Scotland and Wales as the lorry driver shortage takes its toll.

Back in Australia, Chris Judd's glittering AFL career has been saluted with his induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Judd was among four inductees on Tuesday night in a television broadcast event alongside former St Kilda star Nathan Burke, Perth and Richmond great Rob Wiley and women's football pioneer Debbie Lee. South Australian master coach Jack Oatey and Western Australian champion Merv McIntosh were elevated to Legend status.