Australia has recorded another 73 COVID-19 deaths and more than 17,000 fresh infections as Australia edges towards 10 million official virus cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
With data to come for Western Australia, 17,116 cases have been announced on Friday, bringing the total tallied since early 2020 to more than 9.89 million.
There are around 185,000 active COVID-19 cases nationwide, with that total declining daily as the Omicron wave continues to subside.
Around 3400 virus patients remain in hospital care.
Meanwhile, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant will join a team of delegates to Israel next month for a high-level information exchange on managing the pandemic.
Fifteen Australian public health experts and clinicians will meet with counterparts from Israel's health and foreign affairs ministries along with leading academics to discuss ongoing handling of the viral disease.
A key objective is to develop more substantial partnerships that can inform continuing COVID-19 management and help prepare Australia, Israel and other nations for future public health threats.
Both countries were hailed for their swift and effective responses to the pandemic in early 2020.
Australia announced 135 virus-related deaths on Thursday. There were also almost 20,000 new cases recorded.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA:
Victoria: 3857 cases, 27 deaths, 514 in hospital with 27 in ICU
NSW: 6899 cases, 22 deaths, 1986 in hospital with 56 in ICU
Queensland: 2746 cases, 14 deaths, 419 in hospital with 16 in ICU.
ACT: 258 cases, one death, 124 in hospital with three in ICU
Tasmania: 402 cases, two deaths, 58 in hospital with two in ICU
SA: 1062 cases, two deaths, 239 in hospital with seven in ICU
NT: 132 cases, no deaths, 36 in hospital with one in ICU
WA: 1760 cases, five deaths, 245 in hospital with seven in ICU
Australian Associated Press
