NSW posts 8389 virus cases, 18 deaths

Coronavirus patients in the state's hospitals now number 2337, which is 157 fewer than the previous 24-hour period. Of these, 152 are in intensive care and 70 require ventilation.

Some 94.1 per cent of eligible NSW adults are double vaccinated against COVID, while 42.6 per cent have received a third dose. Of children aged 5 to 11, 42.2 per cent have now had their first jab.

The state has of Saturday administered more than 16 million vaccine doses since the pandemic began.

Health officials said the latest fatalities include 11 men and seven women, with more than half aged in their 80s or 90s.

However, two of the 18 who were younger than 65 had both received two vaccine jabs, while another two had been vaccinated three times.

Of the latest batch of reported infections, 5300 were detected with rapid antigen tests and 3089 from PCR lab tests.

"We are seeing some very pleasing and reassuring data that is coming through in relation to hospitalisations and ICU presentations," NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet told journalists.

"We are travelling incredibly well, we've invested substantially in our health system."

He said it is vital for anyone who has not received their third vaccination to get it immediately if they are able, and the government can only do so much.

Despite confusing advice, Mr Perrottet said anyone who has had COVID-19 in the past four to six weeks could - and should - have a booster.

In relation to the rate of third-dose take-up in the state's aged care facilities, Mr Perrottet conceded it was "not where it should be".

"It's a very complex area," he said of the sector, for which the federal government takes primary responsibility.

"It's not easy."

However, as always, the state was willing to provide any additional assistance it could to help more elderly residents to be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, elective surgery will return ahead of schedule following a fall in hospitalisations over the past week.

Mr Perrottet said on Friday hospitals were operating "well within capacity", opening the door for those surgeries to resume in private and non-metropolitan public hospitals next week.

The decision to cancel elective surgery was made in January, as daily case numbers topped 38,000.

A review into the situation was initially slated for mid-February but advice from NSW Health now says private, regional and rural public hospitals can return to up to 75 per cent of pre-pandemic activity on Monday.

Waiting times for elective surgery can stretch as long as seven weeks, with hospitals back-logged with bookings from cancellations over 2020.

Australian Associated Press