While weekly data shows reported cases across the state were less than 9500 on March 4, more than 14,000 were recorded on Friday and in excess of 16,000 on Thursday.

Officials say the majority of fresh infections are among the young, aged between 10 and 19.

Hospital admissions are meanwhile stable, with 966 coronavirus patients in care. Of these, 40 are in ICUs and 15 require ventilation.

Of the latest cases, 7624 were detected via rapid antigen kits and 5226 during the processing of almost 34,000 PCR lab tests.

The three men and a woman who died during the 24 hours to 4pm on Friday were aged in their 70s-90s. All four were double-vaccinated.

The fatalities bring the NSW toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,977.

Meanwhile, NSW continues to struggle with booster vaccination coverage.

Some 56.7 per cent of eligible adults have received a third dose, while 95.9 per cent of those aged 16 and over have had one vaccine shot and 94.4 per cent have had two.

Of children 12-15, 83.6 per cent have received a first jab and 79 per cent are doubled-dosed.

Of kids 5-11, 48.2 per cent have received a first vaccine dose.

Australian Associated Press