COVID-19 cases surge across NSW, Victoria and Queensland

Both COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations have increased in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, as concern grows over spreading infections amongst students and children.

Queensland recorded nine new deaths today, a sharp increase from yesterday's two, as well as a jump to 8881 infections, up from 6206.

Hospitalisations increased by nine to 252, but intensive care admissions fell to nine, down from 14.

Today's numbers were released amid fears that a school rowing competition in Queensland's Scenic Rim on the weekend could become a superspreader event.

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At least 17 students and one teacher from Brisbane Grammar School have tested positive for COVID-19 after the event, prompting the school to reintroduce a mask mandate from today.

A number of the state's other elite private schools were at the event.

NSW saw 20,960 cases up from yesterday's 14,970 infections. Four people have died.

Hospitalisations are trending upwards, 1177 patients are now being treated — up from 1163 yesterday. Of those, 41 people are in ICU.

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Victoria has recorded 9594 cases, up from 7531 yesterday.

A further seven lives have been lost.

Hospital admission have increased to 256, and 24 people are in the ICU.

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The figures come a day after a "previously well" two-year-old Sydney child with COVID-19 passed away — one of four deaths recorded yesterday

The little boy became seriously ill on Wednesday night and was taken to hospital in the early hours of Thursday, NSW Health said.

There is currently no COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of five.