NSW COVID-19 cases tipped to double in weeks as Omicron sub-variant spreads

COVID-19 cases in New South Wales could double within weeks as a sub-variant of the Omicron strain sweeps across the state, according to new data.

The forecasted rise in cases comes after NSW recorded 16,288 new cases today, marking a significant increase from the 8782 daily cases recorded on Sunday.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told a NSW budget estimates hearing that preliminary data from the University of NSW has indicated COVID-19 cases could "more than double" within six weeks.

LIVE UPDATES: Jump in NSW coronavirus cases

He said the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron, which is believed to be more infectious than the BA.1 lineage, was becoming the dominant Omicron variant in the community.

"It's very preliminary and we need to do a lot more digging," Mr Hazzard said.

"But we are concerned at this point that BA.2 is amongst us and overtaking BA.1."

BA.2 has been known to be in Australia since late January.

Mr Hazzard said he was concerned about the state's low booster rate, which is at around 60 per cent.

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"We're still sitting way off the booster doses that we need through the community," Mr Hazzard said.

"While the community has gone to sleep on the virus, the virus hasn't gone to sleep on the community.

"The virus is still out there and it can wreak havoc if we don't go and get our boosters fast."

Today just four COVID-19 related deaths were recorded in the state, compared to nine yesterday, and hospitalisations are also down.

There are 991 COVID-19 patients in hospital - down from more than 1000 at the start of the week, and 39 in intensive care.

Numbers are still far below the peak of the Omicron wave earlier this year.

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Queensland

Queensland has recorded 4571 new COVID-19 cases, and five deaths.

There are 252 people in hospital with the virus, 17 in ICU.

In the state 91.9 per cent of people are fully vaccinated.

Victoria

The increase in cases has been steadier in Victoria, but numbers are rising there too.

The state recorded 7779 new COVID-19 cases today, up from 5046 on Sunday after several daily increases.

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Eight further deaths were recorded today.

Like NSW, Victoria's hospitalisations are falling, with 188 patients currently, compared to 219 on Sunday.

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