NSW has reported 14 deaths from COVID-19 while seven people in Victoria have succumbed to the virus, 19 in Queensland, five in South Australia and one in the ACT.
The numbers come as NSW and Victoria resume non-urgent surgeries in some settings and as Queensland and the ACT announce plans to scale back check-in apps.
NSW reported 7,437 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, down from 7,893 on Sunday and 8,389 on Saturday. Last month, the state recorded an average of 30,000 cases a day.
The number of patients in hospital fell from 2,321 to 2,099 and of those, 137 are in ICU, down from 147 on Sunday and 152 on Saturday.
As coronavirus infections and hospitalisations track downwards, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet noted there had been increased consumer activity over the weekend, with more customers in cafes and restaurants.
"I really do believe we are back on the front foot," he said.
"Activity is returning, cafes are busy, restaurants are pumping, even here in the CBD on the weekend Pitt Street Mall was bustling and that is a great thing for our state.
"I'd like to see people come back to the office as quickly as possible, we did that last year and we'll do it again."
In NSW, some 43.8 per cent of residents have received a booster shot, but close to 90 per cent of people are eligible, having received their second dose more than three months ago.
More than 4,000 students test positive in Victoria
Victoria reported 8,275 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, up from 7,169 on Sunday. Of those, 638 are in hospital, down from 652 on Sunday, with 72 in ICU and 26 on ventilators.
Victoria is now managing 59,801 active cases.
Education Minister James Merlino said another 607 students reported they were positive at the weekend, taking the infection tally for the first week of school past 4,500.
Under the state's back-to-school plan for the first four weeks of term one, students and teachers are required to use rapid antigen tests twice weekly to keep cases in check.
"It's better to support those many hundreds of students and teachers than have one million students at home remote learning," Mr Merlino told reporters on Monday.
The total number of teachers and other education staff to test positive is in the hundreds, but yet to be finalised.
Mr Merlino confirmed the government was yet to make a call on possibly continuing the RAT regime beyond four weeks, which would require more than the 14 million already delivered to schools.
In Victoria, about 45 per cent of those aged over 18 have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, after 13,486 doses were administered at state-run hubs on Sunday.
Non-urgent surgeries has resumed across NSW and Victoria from Monday.
In Victoria, private hospitals and day centres restart non-urgent surgeries to 50 per cent capacity from Monday while in NSW, some public patients will be treated in private facilities as well as some regional public hospitals.
Queensland recorded 4,701 new coronavirus cases on Monday, down from 5,746 on Sunday. There are currently 663 people in hospital, the same number as Sunday, and 61 in ICU, up from the 45 reported on Sunday.
Of the 19 deaths reported on Monday, all were over 60 and 10 were aged care residents. Only one person had received a booster, and nine were unvaccinated.
Children return to school across Queensland
Meanwhile, Queensland children are returning to class on Monday with authorities saying an outbreak in schools are inevitable, but it is unlikely any will be shut down.
Face masks are mandatory in high schools and strongly recommended for students in years three-to-six, while schools must ensure adequate classroom ventilation.
Just under 40 per cent of five-to-11-year-olds have had one vaccine dose.
Thousands of Queensland children have returned to school on Monday amid uncertainty about vaccination, testing and classroom ventilation. Source: AAP
The numbers come as Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said Queensland's COVID-19 check-in app is no longer required for a range of venues including supermarkets, retail outlets, hairdressers and gyms.
The partial relaxation is "a huge step forward" for many businesses, Ms D'Ath said.
South Australia reported 1,147 new cases on Monday, its lowest level so far in 2022. There are 224 people in hospital including 16 in intensive care where five people are on ventilators.
The fall in infections came after the release of new modelling by the University of Adelaide showed the easing of restrictions would result in a rise in cases, but that should not amount to a second wave.
ACT recorded 299 new infections on Monday, also its lowest daily case number so far this year.
Hospitalisations from COVID-19 decreased in the past day, with 57 people now being treated with the virus.
Of those, two are in intensive care and one is on a ventilator.
The new figures come as the ACT government moved to scale back its contact tracing app, with Canberrans now no longer required to use a QR code to check in to every venue.
The Check In CBR app will only be required to be used at high-risk venues.
From Saturday, checking in using the app will only be required at bars and pubs, clubs, nightclubs, strip clubs and brothels, organised events that aren't ticketed as well as schools.
The Northern Territory reported 831 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday as the government's health minister Natasha Fyles revealed she had also contracted the virus
There are 156 people in hospital with three people in intensive care.
Tasmania recorded 443 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, continuing a downward trend in daily infections since 699 on 1 February.
Eight people are being treated in hospital for the virus, an increase from the five reported on Sunday. One of them is in intensive care.
Tasmania's public school students return to the classroom this week, with students advised to take a rapid antigen test when symptomatic.
They are being provided with two RATs in a back-to-school pack and can access a further two tests per week from their school if needed.
Vouchers for parents who homeschooled rolled out in NSW
Meanwhile, NSW parents who homeschooled their children during long-running lockdowns in the state last year are now eligible for a government-subsidised holiday.
One person from every eligible household will receive five $50 vouchers from Monday that can be used to book accommodation or entertainment around the state until early October.
The "Parents" vouchers work similarly to Dine and Discover vouchers and are available in the ServiceNSW app and service centres.
They'll be joined by "Stay NSW" vouchers later this month, which will give everyone over 18 a $50 voucher to spend with approved accommodation providers.
"These vouchers are a double win: they encourage families to get out and enjoy the best of our state while also providing much needed income to businesses affected by the pandemic," Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
He said the Parents vouchers were "about thanking parents for their homeschooling efforts last year, helping make ends meet and supporting local businesses".
The $50 vouchers can be combined up to $250 and can also be pooled with friends and family who are booking accommodation together.
Bookings made through third-party websites and travel agencies are not eligible however customers will be able to search for approved accommodation providers.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the vouchers came on top of a recent business support package.
Mr Kean also announced businesses such as overnight camp and music education providers affected by school COVID-19 safety measures last year would have access to a $14 million grant program.
"The grants will provide eligible businesses and not for profit organisations one-off payments equal to 40 per cent of their decline in Term 4, 2021 turnover compared to previous years, up to $15,000," Mr Kean said.
With SBS News
