Daily case numbers have pushed "disturbingly high" in NSW, nearing 500 as the state recorded seven deaths in the past 24 hours.
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NSW recorded 478 cases from 157,000 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday.
The state also recorded seven deaths, among those a 15-year-old boy who is the country's youngest person to die with the virus.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said only two had received one dose of the vaccine, with the other five unvaccinated.
It was not immediately clear how many were active in the community despite lockdown across the entire state.
There remains no positive cases on the Mid North Coast.
A person who contracted the virus in Newcastle is in self isolation in Forster.
Port Macquarie-Hastings is not identified as an "local government area of concern" but is under statewide lockdown rules until Sunday, August 22. Breaches of public health orders are being targeted by Mid North Coast Police District officers.
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Merrylands, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Greenacre and Bankstown were among the Sydney suburbs where growth in case numbers continued to grow.
"Please know that when you get vaccinated it takes two to three weeks for that first vaccination to take effect," she said.
"Make sure you continue to follow the rules as strictly as you can.
"We just want people to stay still."
Fresh exposure sites were named overnight in Jesmond, Mayfield, Hamilton and more in the Hunter, while Jesmond Grove aged care on Sunday confirmed a fourth COVID case in a patient.
Concerns are also high in Port Stephens, where Hunter New England Health public health physician Dr David Durrheim on Sunday said Raymond Terrace, Medowie and Williamtown had viral loads in sewage "as high as anywhere we've seen in NSW".
There are no new cases in Armidale or Tamworth but Lennox Head to the north is on alert after virus fragments were detected in sewage surveillance.
The reasons you may leave your home
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services.
- Medical care or compassionate needs (people can leave home to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless you have been identified as a close contact).
- Exercise outdoors in groups of two or fewer (unless members of the same household).
- Every employer across NSW must require their employees to work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable.
Schooling will be done from home in most cases.
Masks must be worn indoors (not including the home) and in outdoor settings where you cannot socially distance from others. Anyone who leaves their home must carry a mask with them at all times.
From August 16, 2021: NSW under 5km from home outside LGA rule and other additional restrictions
Get vaccinated
The Mid North Coast Local Health District is vaccinating its staff and eligible members of the community when appointments become available.
The local health district will move its COVID-19 vaccination clinic from Port Macquarie Base Hospital to 35 Grant Street, with the new clinic expected to open on Tuesday, August 17.
Go to the online COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when and where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
You can also speak with your local participating pharmacist or GP about the vaccine that is right for you.
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