ICU admissions have increased by three to 44, while admissions are down to 1162.
The same trend is reflected in Victoria, which saw 10,471 new cases and 11 deaths overnight.
Admissions and intensive care units have decreased by 243 and 23 registered, respectively.
COVID-19 isolation rules under discussion
The nation’s top doctors are meeting today as concerns about rising COVID-19 infections grow, driven by the infectious Omicron BA.2 variant.
Chief health officers and government officials will discuss COVID-19 isolation rules and regulations around a potential fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot at a meeting of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on Wednesday.
It is understood that the health authorities are reluctant to lift the seven-day quarantine period for household contacts in NSW and Victoria, despite a push to do so.
NSW and Victoria registered 20,960 and 9,594 cases, respectively, yesterday – an increase from the numbers seen on Monday.
The president of the former Australian Medical Association (AMA), dr. Tony Bartone, said there is merit in a cautious approach to easing restrictions.
“Being vigilant and being careful has kept us in good shape.
“We really need to look at the numbers and follow them closely.”
The two states have been working on a plan to ease the rules of household contact for several months, with Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews saying he is “very keen” on the change as late as Sunday.
This move has also been backed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said the rules were “redundant” two weeks ago.
In Queensland, cases of coronavirus have increased 15 percent in one week, and the spread is driven by younger people. The state saw 8881 cases yesterday.
And in southern Australia, the newly appointed Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas said the state expects an increase in infections.
Modeling updated last night indicated that the number of cases is increasing significantly.
He expressed intentions to bring the state’s COVID-19 response in line with the rest of the nation.
Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said “we are predicting up to 8000 cases over the next few weeks”.
Fourth vaccine dose must be approved
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI) is believed to be ready to sign a fourth jab for people around the country in the coming days.
The people who stood first in the queue to get the vaccination are ready to be renewed by their vaccine in the coming weeks as winter approaches.
How Australia faced the emergence of the Omicron variant
Should it be approved, nearly five million Australians would be eligible for a fourth dose in the winter.