'Almost at 100 deaths a day: Grim COVID-19 warning as hospitilisations, deaths surge

One of Australia's leading virus experts has issued a "call to action", saying we need to re-introduce restrictions like face masks as COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations surge around the country.

Infectious diseases expert Professor Robert Booy said everyone should be "concerned" about the mounting number of admissions and deaths.

The country is inching closer to the number of hospitalisations and deaths seen during the January Omicron wave.

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Overnight NSW recorded more than 18,000 new cases of the virus, the highest daily reported figure since April 8.

Victoria recorded more than 12,000 cases and 25 additional deaths overnight.

"We should be concerned," Booy told 9News this morning.

"We should be alert, but not necessarily alarmed.

"We need to do things we were doing six months ago, better. Things like wearing masks, social distancing, handwashing, and working from home where possible.

"The numbers are likely to rise to January levels...we're almost at 100 deaths a day."

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The Australian Bureau of Statistics says that by January 31 it had registered 2,639 deaths where people died with, or from, COVID-19.

Booy explained current transmission is being fueled by a new, more infectious sub-variant of the Omicron strain, Centaurus.

"The problem of this new variant, is despite having Omicron before, a month, two months, or three months ago, you can get this one again," he said, adding the strain has been found in 15 countries.

"The CHO and ATAGI say it could be as early as month after a previous infection. Most people will be catching it two, three, four months after.

"It's raising its ugly head rather quickly."

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The infectious disease expert added if the nation managed to reduce the current transmission rate by 10 to 20 per cent the pressure would be taken off hospitals.

"Wherever possible minimise your contact to your fellow human beings, to where necessary," he said.

"Working from home does help."