NSW matches NZ's pandemic death toll in a single day
NSW has reported a record 52 Covid deaths in the latest 24-hour reporting period while daily case numbers remain stable.
NSW Health announced the toll Sunday morning, eclipsing the previous record of 49 set yesterday.
It is the same number of deaths New Zealand – which has not opened up – has recorded during the entire coronavirus pandemic so far.
A further 13,524 infections were recorded in the state across PCR and rapid antigen tests while hospital numbers and ICU admissions continue to inch down.
As of Saturday, there are 2,663 people in hospital with Covid and 182 in intensive care – both slightly down from the previous day.
Meanwhile Victoria has reported a further 20 Covid-related deaths and 10,589 new cases.
There are 889 people in hospital with the virus, 35 of whom are on a ventilator.
Victoria is currently dealing with more than 78,000 active cases, according to the state's department of health.
More state support for NSW businesses
NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has confirmed a major new round of financial support for businesses hit by the Omicron outbreak.
He appeared on Sky News on Sunday morning following reports the government would commit more than $1 billion in economic support for small to medium businesses.
"I want to use our fiscal strength to get businesses through," he said, noting that his government had managed to keep people in work and that the state's hospital system was in "a strong position".
"Yes, as we move through there will be less need for financial aid but when I look at the data I've seen, when I look at some of the challenges we've had with businesses over the summer break, it makes perfect sense from my perspective to provide that support for businesses this time around."
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Public school students set to return
Meanwhile, more than eight million rapid antigen tests have been distributed to over 3000 NSW schools ahead of the start to term one.
Education secretary Georgina Harrisson says the task has been "one of the most challenging logistical undertakings in recent memory".
Parents should already have been informed of how to collect RATs before the first day of classes for public school students on Tuesday.
Those attending private schools went back on Thursday.
The government released its back-to-school plan last weekend, with advice that all students take a rapid test before the first day of term.
with AAP
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