New South Wales has suffered another shocking day of COVID-19 case numbers as Queensland struggles to keep a lid on its own outbreak, extending its snap lockdown for another week.
Another 207 local cases have been detected in NSW in the last 24 hours, with the state also announcing a man in his 90s had died after being infected and receiving a single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
There have been 3634 locally acquired cases reported in NSW since June 16.
Meanwhile south-east Queensland's lockdown has been extended after 13 new COVID-19 cases were detected in the community - all of which have links to a Brisbane school.
On Saturday, the state announced a 24-hour snap lockdown in 11 local government areas following the detection of six cases, including a student at Ironside State School.
However Deputy Premier Steven Miles says it's become clear the initial lockdown will be "insufficient for the outbreak", prompting the decision to extend it until 4pm on Sunday (local time).
There are now 31 community cases linked to the outbreak in Queensland.
Of the 13 announced on Monday, seven are students from Ironside State School, five are household members or family contacts, and one is linked to a confirmed case from the karate school that trains at the school.
Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young says the outbreak is escalating.
"But I am very confident that with the strategies we have in place in Queensland and with the cooperation of every single Queenslander, we will get through it," she said.
"But to get through it by 4pm on Sunday, when this current lockdown will end, I need every single person in Queensland, no matter where you are, to immediately come forward and get tested if you have any symptoms.
New Zealand COVID-19 update
Across the Tasman, New Zealand recorded four new cases, but they were all in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities. The number of active cases in New Zealand now stands at 37.
The Mattina remains quarantined in Bluff, with 14 of the 21 mariners onboard remaining on the vessel.
"Four mariners from the vessel, who tested negative for COVID-19, remain in a managed isolation facility in Christchurch," a Ministry of Health spokesperson said.
"One of the two mariners currently in Southland Hospital is now well enough to be discharged from hospital today but requires ongoing medical care for an unrelated condition.
"Plans are underway to safely transfer him to Southern DHB arranged accommodation, where his health can continue to be monitored and treated."
Meanwhile the Viking Bay remains in quarantine at Queens Wharf in Wellington.
The ship has received a deep clean and all 20 crew members are now back on board. The vessel is expected to leave Wellington on Monday.
