NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state recorded 919 cases and two deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Included today are two deaths - a woman in her 30s, reported late yesterday, and a man in his 80s.
Nearly 100 people being treated in ICU aren't vaccinated, the state's chief health officer said.
There were no new cases overnight on the Mid North Coast. The region's case number remain at two.
Repeat sewage testing at the Port Macquarie wastewater treatment plant has also returned negative results for virus fragments.
There are five venues of concern on the Mid North Coast. Three are linked to the two local cases, while two are linked to a COVID positive person who transited through the area.
"I think this highlights the fact that vaccination is the key," Dr Kerry Chant said. "We need to increase those vaccine coverage levels and can I just urge everyone to take up the opportunity for vaccination as soon as possible."
Some 178 are linked to a known case or cluster, 153 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts. The source of infection for 741 cases is under investigation. Authorities say 37 cases were infectious in the community, and 758 cases are now under investigation.
One hundred and six cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 18 were in isolation for part of their infectious period.
Eight new cases have been recorded in the Illawarra Shoalhaven health district, the highest daily number the region has seen since the outbreak began.
The state's west remains of high concern - recording 49 new cases, according to Deputy Premier.
John Barilaro said the 45 cases were split between regional areas as follows:
- 35 in Dubbo
- 7 in Bourke. Wilcannia
- 5 in Orange
- 1 in Narromine, Walgett and Broken Hill
Gladys Berejiklian said: "We now have 6.1 million jabs given in New South Wales and nearly one-third of our population is fully vaccinated, it's hovering at 32% or thereabouts which is great if we keep these rates up we will hit further milestones."
About 125,000 tests were taken in the community yesterday.
In the Newcastle region, a Windale apartment block and Central Coast school were shut down overnight after positive case alerts.
The positive case is isolating off-site, the health district said.
Doctors have also flagged concerns about the pressure mounting on the state's health system ahead of a return to normal operations, dealing with its backlog and COVID presenting an "extra layer of very, sick, infectious patients" even beyond high vaccination rates.
Get tested
Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) has advised that the drive through COVID-19 testing clinic at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Boundary Street is now open extended hours from 8am to 6pm daily.
There is also a drive through testing site at Kempsey's Riverside Park reserve at the Austral Street boat ramp open to 8am-6pm weekdays and 8am-4pm on weekends.
MNCLHD urges anyone feeling unwell with even with the mildest of symptoms to come forward for testing.
To find a testing clinic near you, visit the NSW Government website www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics
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 has moved its COVID-19 vaccination clinic from Port Macquarie Base Hospital to 35 Grant Street.
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.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Bookmark our website
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
You can support us with a subscription
Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews
Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews
Follow us on Google News