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Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has been released from hospital and will begin a "significant" period of rehabilitation after a "long, painful week".

Mr Andrews was last week moved from intensive care into a ward at The Alfred hospital after fracturing his T7 vertebrae and breaking multiple ribs when he fell on wet stars.

"I landed flat on my back and hit the steps hard directly below the shoulder blades fracturing at least five ribs and sustaining an acute compression fracture of the T7 vertebra," the premier said in a statement today.

"I narrowly avoided permanent damage to my spinal cord.

READ MORE: Premier Daniel Andrews 'up and about' in good spirits after 'nasty fall'

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1371007304372342791

"These are serious injuries that require me to wear a brace throughout each day except when sleeping.

"My doctors also want me to get rest and undertake a comprehensive program of physiotherapy.

"That's why I will take a leave of absence from my duties for at least six weeks."

Mr Andrews had been getting ready for work at a holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula last week when he slipped.

This afternoon he thanked ambulance workers and hospital staff for their care.

"I want to make special mention of the Ambulance Victoria paramedics, the entire team of staff at Peninsula Private and Alfred Health from trauma specialists to spinal surgeons, cooks and cleaners and everyone in between," he said.

"I'm grateful to be a Victorian patient and proud of our Victorian health system."

Mr Andrews said he needed time to recover properly after a stern warning from the medical team.

"It's important that I take this rest and recovery seriously," he said.

"As one trauma specialist said to Cath and I last week, 'you very narrowly avoided a life-changing injury, you should buy a Tattslotto ticket, you are very lucky to be here in one piece'.

"I'm not sure about the Tattslotto ticket but I'm certain that with rest, continued high quality care and the support of family, friends, colleagues and the Victorian community, I'll be back doing the job I love as soon as possible."

The Alfred's director of trauma services Professor Mark Fitzgerald said the team of specialists caring for Mr Andrews were "pleased" with his progress, however the premier had a long road to recovery ahead.

"Mr Andrews has responded well without surgery so far, and the work to improve his strength and mobility must now begin," he said.

"As the rehabilitation journey gets underway, we will watch closely for any signs of worsening spinal stability or alignment, as well as the development of other complications."

Professor Fitzgerald said a spinal injury of this nature would not necessarily require surgery.

"When upright, a brace is worn to stabilise the spine, maintain alignment, and help to control pain. Physiotherapy treatment is key at this time," he said.

"Any deterioration may lead to a need for surgery down the track, however we are gradually progressing in the right direction at this time."

Mr Andrews last week said it was "good to get out of ICU", sharing a photo of himself in a ward.

"Thanks for all your messages and well wishes. It really means a lot," he added.

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Papua New Guinea's surging COVID-19 cases present "a real risk" to Australia and require an urgent response, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned.

The Queensland Government confirmed today two of its six new coronavirus cases that were all in hotel quarantine stemmed from PNG.

Ms Palaszczuk said she will be holding talks with Prime Minister Scott Morrison's office about the unfolding situation, and the potential for the Federal Government to step up its assistance to the pandemic-stricken nation.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the different coronavirus strains

Australia along with the US, Japan and India has given millions of dollars to support health efforts in PNG and other Pacific countries.

"I think, it's a serious situation up there, so I think we need to look at what is our coordinated response," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"I think there is an issue for the Federal Government, I understand that they are providing some assistance into Papua New Guinea, but maybe we need to look at a vaccine rollout program there as well."

"It is right on our doorstep and it is a real risk, and as you know that is why we are getting our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders vaccinated as quickly as possible."

As of yesterday, there had been 1,819 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths in PNG, according to the World Health Organisation.

Reported testing rates in PNG remain disturbingly low. Only 55,000 tests have been recorded from an estimated population of nine million people.

EXPLAINED: When will I be eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine?

Health experts said such low testing numbers make it hard to establish the full extent of the virus.

And there is concern PNG hospitals and frontline health services are unable to cope with the estimated thousands of cases centred around the capital of Port Moresby.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has confirmed that two of the six new coronavirus cases detected in quarantine originated in PNG.

She said the two positive cases arrived in Queensland on charter flights from the country.

READ MORE: When the coronavirus supplement will end

Ms D'Ath said she is in talks with the Federal Government about the future of the flights.

"I will be reaching out to (Federal Health Minister) Greg Hunt. One, to verify that the charter flights are still going to be suspended and what the timeframe for that is."