TWO more people have died with COVID-19, but the state's case numbers have dropped comfortably below 300 just before the weekend.
NSW recorded 268 locally-acquired COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, with one overseas traveller testing positive as well.
The results were off more than 82,000 tests.
Across NSW there are 363 people with COVID in hospital, 80 of whom require intensive care.
Vaccination rates continue to climb ahead of Monday's reopening of regional travel to Sydneysiders.
Of those aged 16 or older 93.4 per cent have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 86.5 per cent are fully inoculated.
Details of testing for 12 to 16 year olds, as well as a regional breakdown and greater detail around the two deaths, are expected to be released about 11am.
