Australia has reported four more coronavirus-related deaths — one in NSW, one in Victoria and two in Queensland.
In NSW, the government sounded warnings about the spread of a new Omicron sub-variant after the state recorded 8,911 new COVID-19 cases and one death on Monday.
Preliminary data from the University of NSW suggests there could be a doubling of coronavirus cases in the next four to six weeks as the BA.2 variant takes hold.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard is "not keen to go back down the lockdowns and the no singing and dancing and other aspects".
"Everybody is over it, putting it bluntly," he told ABC television on Monday.
But he is urging people to adopt COVID-safe behaviour.
"If you can wear a mask, do it, and wash your hands, be careful," he said.
"Don't go to work if you have got symptoms at all. Get tested."
"We have a lot more people who are getting it and we could expect more people in hospital and more people possibly to pass away, sadly," he said.
"But we have to balance mental health issues, the economic issues, young people having their cognitive development, being able to go to school, all of the things which have been so destructive for two years."
Some two million people in NSW are overdue for their booster vaccine and need to be reminded of the "absolute necessity" of getting the third shot to protect them from Omicron.
"That is the big problem," Mr Hazzard said.
As of Monday, there were 1,005 people in hospital with the virus, including 47 in intensive care and 15 on ventilators.
The latest person to die from the virus was a man in his 60s, who received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and had significant underlying health conditions.
NSW Health says 57.1 per cent of people have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 79.1 per cent aged 12-15 have had two jabs, while 48.4 per cent of children aged five to 11 have had one dose.
Victoria to release tens of thousands more travel vouchers
Victoria reported 5,499 new cases and one death while confirming opening dates for the latest round of statewide tourism vouchers.
The number of Victorians in hospital has grown by three to 198 patients. Of those, 25 are in intensive care and seven are on ventilation.
Meanwhile, seniors will get first crack at 150,000 travel vouchers to offset the costs of taking a trip to Melbourne or regional Victoria.
An initial 10,000 travel vouchers will be available to residents with a valid Victorian Seniors Card or Seniors Business Discount Card from Tuesday, before another 140,000 go up for grabs to the general public on 23 March.
The $30 million travel voucher scheme, previously announced as part of a $200 million stimulus package, will offer refunds to successful applicants who spend $400 or more on paid accommodation, tours and experiences.
"We want people to explore our great state and provide a boost to tourism businesses as the sector continues its recovery from the impact of the pandemic," Acting Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.
The vouchers will be valid from 8 April to 27 May.
Queensland health minister diagnosed with COVID
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has revealed she is among Queensland's 3,797 new COVID-19 cases, with the state also recording another two deaths.
Ms D'Ath on Monday posted on social media that she had tested positive to the virus but only had mild symptoms, becoming the state government's second minister to contract COVID-19.
Education Minister Grace Grace tested positive in January.
"I have tested positive for COVID and have mild symptoms," Ms D'Ath tweeted.
"I am following the isolation rules and will be working from home.
"I am grateful that I have received all of my vaccination shots.
"It is a timely reminder for all Queenslanders that COVID is still in our community."
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has contracted COVID-19. Source: AAP / DARREN ENGLAND/AAPIMAGE
The state's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is continuing with 93.14 per cent of eligible Queenslanders having had one dose and 91.25 per cent receiving two.
More than 100 people with COVID-19 in South Australian hospitals
South Australia has reported 2,099 new COVID-19 infections, with SA Heath confirming there are 113 people with the virus in the state's hospitals,
Ten of those people are receiving intensive care while one person is on a ventilator.
Of those in hospital, 70 people are fully vaccinated while 42 people are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
About 94.9 per cent of eligible South Australians over the age of 12 have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 92.3 per cent have had a second dose.
Boosters have been administered to 69.2 per cent of eligible South Australians.
Northern Territory reports 198 new COVID-19 cases
The Northern Territory has recorded 198 new COVID-19 cases, with 26 people being treated for the virus in hospital.
Seven patients require oxygen and two are in intensive care, NT Health said on Monday
Of the new cases, 124 were recorded in the Top End, 22 in central Australia, five in East Arnhem and 16 were diagnosed in the Big Rivers region, south of Darwin.
About 30 cases are under investigation.
There were 151 cases reported on Sunday, 259 on Saturday and 273 on Friday.
The Territory's death toll since the start of the pandemic is 31.
Tasmania reports a rise in cases
Tasmania has recorded 923 new coronavirus cases, a slight decrease on the previous reporting period.
The new infections come after 932 cases on Sunday and 1,130 on Saturday.
There are 13 people with the virus in hospital, with nine of those being treated for COVID-19. Three patients are in intensive care.
The latest figures come after Tasmania ditched mask requirements in several settings over the weekend.
Masks are no longer mandatory for customers in seated restaurants and cafes, at large outdoor events of more than 1,000 people, in offices and workplaces.
The state has recorded 13 virus deaths since reopening borders in mid-December and 26 in total.
Hospital spike in the ACT
The ACT has recorded 599 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday alongside a sharp increase in the hospitalisation rate from 29 to 38 on Monday.
Three people are in intensive care, up from one the previous reporting period, but none require ventilation.
No new deaths have been reported.
Almost 94 per cent of the population aged five and over have been double jabbed and the boosted rate for those 16-plus has surpassed 70 per cent in the territory.
Four in five children aged five to 11 have had at least one dose.
Western Australia reported 2,099 cases and zero deaths on Monday.
With SBS News
