NSW has reported 580 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths as the state gets nearer to reaching the 90 per cent first dosage milestone.
Premier Dominic Perrottet flagged an increase in positive cases would follow the state's re-opening on Monday and urged people to proceed safely.
"What has been key to keeping people safe is our high vaccination rate. We have the highest vaccination rate in the country and importantly we're coming close on that first-dose mark to 90 per cent," he said on Saturday.
Mr Perrottet said the NSW roadmap was more conservative than the federal government's approach.
"We believe that our conservative approach here ensures we keep people safe but importantly gets people back into work as quickly as possible."
"This journey is not over. There is a long way to go and we need to continue that focus."
As of Thursday evening, 89.8 per cent of people 16 and over had received their first vaccine dose, while 71.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
There have now been 425 deaths since the coronavirus outbreak in June including three women and eight men in the last 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.
There are currently 812 COVID-19 cases in hospital, with 163 in intensive care and 75 who require ventilation.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said vaccine availability had improved markedly in the last few weeks.
"It's important that if you have a delayed vaccination appointment, please try to reschedule it earlier or look for other options," she said.
Dr Chant confirmed authorities were still investigating the source of the new Delta strain identified on Friday with different genomic sequencing.
"We've linked that back to a person who returned overseas but the exact mechanism of how that new Delta strain emerged and got into the community in western Sydney is still under investigation," she said.
But there was no indication the new strain presents any differences regarding transmission, vaccine effectiveness or severity.
The state on Wednesday achieved 70 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage of those aged over 16, clearing the way for restrictions to ease as planned on Monday.
From Monday, a swathe of restrictions will lift for fully vaccinated people across the state.
Ten adult visitors will be allowed in homes, 30 people will be permitted to gather outdoors, and 100 guests can congregate at weddings and funerals.
Shops and hospitality venues can reopen and the five-kilometre from home travel limit will be scrapped.
But as the first Australian state to reach 70 per cent vaccination, NSW is also going to be the first to meet some challenges, the premier said.
The United Workers' Union, which represents many frontline and public-facing workers, is concerned members checking vaccination status could be put in unsafe situations.
Adding to their worry is that the integrated Service NSW vaccine certificate or passport app is not yet ready.
Meanwhile, the Australian Medical Association said changes to the state's plan to emerge from lockdown could overwhelm the hospital system and burn out healthcare workers.
There were 646 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths, reported in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday.
© AAP 2021