Australia has recorded another 29 COVID-19 deaths.
Victoria reported 10 fatalities, while there were seven in NSW, eight in Queensland, three in the ACT and one in the Northern Territory on Friday.
Meanwhile, Australians could find out in a matter of weeks whether they need to receive a second COVID-19 vaccine booster ahead of a predicted winter surge in infections.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said advice from Australia's leading vaccine advisory group could come through by the end of the month on whether a fourth dose would be recommended for people over 65.
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.
"I can't pre-empt the decision but ... they are potentially going to recommend a second booster, which would be potentially the start of an annual program for people 65 and above," Mr Hunt told reporters in Canberra.
"We're expecting that advice from ATAGI within the next three weeks, if not earlier."
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. Source: AAP
The program allows Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold, White or Orange card holders to access 10 free RATs over a three-month period.
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 concerns of a new Omicron sub-variant being detected, deputy chief medical officer Sonya Bennett said preparations had been made to deal with new variants.
"What we've learnt over the last few years is we now have a range of tools in the toolkit ...so we now have adequate and ready access to rapid antigen tests and adequate access to treatments for those at risk," Dr Bennett said.
COVID-19: What's happening across the country?
In NSW, there were 14,034 new COVID-19 cases — a drop of more than 2,200 on Thursday's daily infection figure of 16,288.
Despite the fall, there are fears a new strain of Omicron that's spreading in NSW could see COVID-19 cases double within weeks.
"Preliminary information indicates that ... in only another month to six weeks, we could be looking at cases more than double than we are currently getting," Mr Hazzard told a budget estimates hearing on Thursday.
"It is concerning us greatly, that we are seeing an increase in daily cases."
Data from the University of NSW suggests Omicron's BA2 sub-variant is more transmissible.
There are currently 998 people hospitalised with 39 in intensive care units at NSW hospitals.
NSW Health reports 56.5 per cent of people have had three doses of a vaccine.
Nearly 80 per cent of children aged 12-15 have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and 48.1 per cent of five to 11-year-olds have had one jab.
In Victoria, another 6,811 COVID-19 infections were reported.
The cases include 4,307 from rapid antigen tests and 2,504 from PCR lab tests, the health department confirmed on Friday.
The number of Victorians in hospital declined overnight by three, to 185 patients.
This includes 27 people in intensive care with three on ventilation.
There are 46,263 active cases in the state.
Victoria now has 61.9 per cent of adults vaccinated with three doses, ahead of mandatory vaccination rules kicking in for key workers.
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.
From 11:59pm on Saturday, these workers, including contractors, volunteers and students on placement, will need to have received their third dose to continue working.
Healthcare workers who received their first jab before 12 September will also be required to have their third before 11:59pm Saturday.
Queensland reported 4,327 new COVID-19 infections.
There are 250 patients hospitalised with the virus across the state, with 16 in intensive care.
A man in his 60s is the latest person to die with COVID-19 in the Northern Territory.
Officials said the man, from a remote community in the East Arnhem region, died in the Royal Darwin Hospital.
He had other underlying health conditions.
His death takes the Territory's toll since the start of the pandemic to 31.
Also on Friday, officials reported 273 new virus cases, with the number of active infections now 1990.
There are 29 people in hospital, including one person in intensive care.
Tasmania has recorded 1,129 new coronavirus cases, a slight drop from 24 hours earlier, as the island state prepares to wind back mask restrictions.
Documented active cases have risen to 6,192, continuing an upward trend since a dip to 3,033 in mid-February.
There are 16 people with the virus in hospital, with eight of those being treated for COVID-19. Four patients are in intensive care, a drop of one from Thursday.
Tasmania is removing mask requirements in several settings from 5pm on Friday, following the decision last week to drop the mandate for retail customers.
Masks will no longer be mandatory for customers in seated restaurants and cafes, at large outdoor events of more than 1000 people and in offices and workplaces.
In the ACT — where 791 new infections were recorded — there are 31 people with the virus in hospital including one person in ICU and one needing ventilation.
Western Australia is drawing closer to the expected peak of its Omicron outbreak with 4,535 new COVID-19 cases and more hospitalisations.
Eighty people are in hospital with the virus, including three who are in intensive care but are not believed to be on ventilators.
The number of active cases has swelled to more than 18,000.
South Australia has reported another 2,503 COVID-19 infections and one more death as the state prepares to lift more virus restrictions.
SA Health said a man in his 70s who tested positive for coronavirus had died, taking the state's toll since the start of the pandemic to 220.
There are 88 people with COVID-19 in hospital including 10 people in intensive care, where two are on ventilators.
Active cases across the state stand at 22,054.
