New South Wales has recorded 273 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths.
The number of people in NSW hospitals with COVID-19 has dropped. Some 589 people are in hospital with the virus, 128 of whom are in intensive care.
Following the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm on Monday, 92.1 per cent of people 16 and older had had one dose of a vaccine while 80.8 per cent of people were fully vaccinated.
However, the chief health officer says she's aiming even higher as the state emerges from lockdown.
"Ninety-two per cent [of people having had a first dose of a vaccine] is a great achievement, but let's get higher," Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Tuesday, saying it was needed to protect the vulnerable.
"I want to get 95 per cent or even above."
Dr Chant said despite the state's steady decline in cases in recent weeks, the virus continued to spread in the regions, particularly in the Hunter New England area.
However, she was pleased high testing rates were being maintained, with 90,597 tests in 24 hours, saying it's vital to suppress the virus.
Less than two weeks after the first easing of restrictions, she warned the expected rise in cases was yet to come.
"There's a lot of uncertainties about what case numbers will do," Dr Chant said. "Next week I will be really interested in what our numbers are."
The state began the second stage of its roadmap out of lockdown on Monday after passing the 80 per cent full vaccination rate over the weekend.
"As mobility increases across the state, case numbers will increase," Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Monday.
"This is not over. There's a long journey to go."
NSW residents can now start planning journeys north of the border after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed her state's plan to reopen.
Fully vaccinated travellers who test negative
