Another 17 COVID-19 deaths have been reported across NSW and Victoria, while Australians could find out in a matter of weeks whether they need to receive a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot:
Victoria reported 10 fatalities and there were seven in NSW on Friday.
Mr Hunt said it was more likely than not a fourth dose would be the course of action for some groups of the population ahead of winter, when a spike in both COVID-19 and flu infections is forecast. The health minister said despite a rise in COVID cases being predicted, infections were unlikely to reach the highs seen during summer at the peak of the Omicron wave.
Despite the fall, there are fears a new strain of Omicron that's spreading in NSW could see COVID-19 cases double within weeks. After being pushed back, the deadline is fast approaching for aged care, disability, emergency service, meat processing, quarantine and food distribution workers to get their third jab.
Tasmania has recorded 1129 new coronavirus cases, a slight drop from 24 hours earlier, as the island state prepares to wind back mask restrictions.
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