Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler is set to meet with state and territory counterparts to discuss reducing strain on hospitals amid a surge of COVID-19 cases.

Mr Butler said the meeting with state and territory ministers would take place this week, as the fourth wave of Omicron cases continues to pressure health systems. 

He said the current wave was impacting not only hospitals but aged care facilities as well. 

“We’re working as hard as we can, particularly to protect the most vulnerable in the community from severe disease and hospitalisations,” Mr Butler told reporters on Wednesday.