NSW and Victoria have recorded drops in daily Covid case numbers despite a new variant of Omicron fuelling higher hospitalisation numbers.
In NSW on Saturday another 19,060 cases were confirmed, a drop from the 20,050 positive tests reported on Friday.
Saturday’s numbers include 11,429 positive rapid antigen test results and 7631 PCR results.
Hospitalisations have increased to 1090, up from 1060.
Intensive care admissions dropped slightly from 32 on Friday to 29xjmtzyw on Saturday, while 12 deaths were reported.
In Victoria there were 7847 new cases reported on Saturday, a drop from the 9036 cases reported on Friday.
The latest case numbers include 5134 positive rapid tests and 2713 PCR tests.
Hospitalisations increased to 210, up from 199, while the number of intensive care admissions has remained stable.
The more infectious BA.2 Omicron variant is quickly becoming the dominant strain across Australia.
Two deaths were reported in Victoria and the state has a 63.6 per cent triple adult vaccination rate.
In NSW the triple vaccination rate hits 58 per cent as the state government ramped up efforts to get booster rates up near the 94.5 per cent double dose rate.
The state government has announced Taronga Zoos in Sydney and Dubbo in central NSW will offer a two-for-one entry pass on Saturday March 26 and Sunday March 27 to anyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine at special walk-in clinics to be set up on site.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said families could use the entry pass immediately or any day up until July 31 at either zoo.
“We know parents are time poor and if they’ve had to delay a booster shot or their kids’ jabs, this is a great way to get both done and be rewarded,” he said.
“Hopefully the excitement of visiting the animals will overcome any needle fears and the initiative helps families get their Covid jabs up to date ahead of school holidays.”
The clinic at the Sydney zoo will be at the main gates, operating from 9am to 3pm.
The Dubbo clinic will run from 9am to midday in the giraffe room near the main entrance. Both clinics will offer adult and paediatric Pfizer jabs with no bookings needed.
