A record 77 deaths have been reported from COVID-19 across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT - the highest daily toll of the pandemic for Australia.
NSW reported a daily record of 36 deaths, Victoria 22 and, in Queensland, 16 people have died from COVID-19. There were two further deaths recorded in South Australia and one woman has died in the ACT.
The previous highest daily announced death toll during the pandemic was in September 2020 when Victoria reported 59 deaths on one day, but this included 50 people in aged care who died in July and August.
The latest announcements mean 359 deaths have been reported in the country over the past seven days, nearly 13 per cent of the total deaths in Australia from COVID-19 during the pandemic.
NSW reported 29,830 new cases on Tuesday - the majority recorded via PCR testing - while 2,850 people are in hospital of which 209 are in ICU.
The same figures stood at 2,776 in hospital and 203 in intensive care yesterday.
Meanwhile, Victoria recorded 20,180 new cases on Tuesday and has 1,152 people in hospital.
The new infections confirmed by the health department include 11,747 from rapid antigen tests and 8433 from PCR tests.
It is the second consecutive day that case numbers have declined in the state.
Victoria has declared a , as the system buckles under COVID-19 admissions and staff shortages.
Acting Health Minister James Merlino announced the measure will come into effect from midday on Wednesday and last for four to six weeks as hospitalisations are expected to peak.
Queensland has recorded 15,962 new cases, with the government moving to limit emergency department visitors as the state's outbreak grows.
The new virus cases emerged after 32,506 tests across Queensland in the 24 hours to 6.30am on Tuesday.
There are 819 patients being treated for COVID-19 in hospital and another 50 in intensive care with 18 people on ventilators.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said only one of the 45 virus deaths recorded since mid-December had received a booster vaccine.
"I want to emphasise that of these 45 deaths only one person has had a booster shot, and if I can ... for anyone out there to do anything today to prioritise getting your booster, particularly if you are elderly and vulnerable," she told reporters.
"Please come forward and get your booster. We know that it makes a difference."
South Australia reported two deaths and 3,079 new cases.
"(The case numbers) are a massive reduction in the day before and it is certainly well below our seven-day average," Premier Steven Marshall said.
In the ACT, one woman in her 80s has died from COVID-19 at a residential aged care facility in Canberra. It brings the Territory's death toll to 20.
On Tuesday, there were 1860 new cases reported, with 976 of those from PCR tests while 884 were detected on rapid antigten tets.
The number of patients in hospital has reached a record of 63.
Vaccine bookings not filled
The latest figures come after 70,000 vaccine bookings went unfulfilled in NSW last week.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Monday she "can't stress enough the urgency of getting boosters".
Just a handful of the 22 men and 14 women who died on Monday were triple-vaccinated, Dr Chant said.
"There needs to be a sense of urgency in embracing the booster doses," she said.
"For Omicron, we know the protection is lower and we need that next boosting."
The first 1.2 million rapid, at-home tests ordered by the NSW government have arrived, with another 15 million expected within a week.
The government's order of 50 million will be distributed to schools, social housing, vulnerable and remote communities.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the state's 1.2 million students would need to take RATs twice a week under one proposal for the return to school.
Parents may also be asked to supervise children in classrooms to counter staff shortages and prevent a return to home schooling.
The NSW-Victorian plan will be presented to National Cabinet later this week.
