NSW has recorded 1,351 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 and 12 further deaths – with the local government areas of Albury and Lismore to be plunged into 7-day lockdown from tonight after testing showed cases in those areas.
The deaths included a man in his 90s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital. NSW Health has confirmed that he had acquired his infection at the Hardi Guildford Aged Care Facility. It is the second death linked to the outbreak at this facility.
The remaining deaths included a man in his 60s from western Sydney, who died at Northern Beaches Hospital; a man in his 60s from south-western Sydney, who died at Northern Beaches Hospital; a woman in her 80s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital; a woman in her 80s from south-western Sydney, who died at Concord Hospital; a woman in her 60s from south-eastern Sydney, who died at Prince of Wales Hospital; a man in his 40s from western Sydney, who died at Nepean Hospital; a woman in her 80s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital; a woman in her 70s from western Sydney, who died at Nepean Hospital; a man in his 70s from south-western Sydney, who died at Campbelltown Hospital; a woman in her 60s from south-western Sydney, who died at home; and a man in his 50s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital.
Ten of those who passed away with COVID-19 were unvaccinated.
“NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones,” the health authority said in a statement.
There have been 210 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021, and 266 in total since the start of the pandemic.
Albury and Lismore will enter a seven day lockdown from 6pm tonight after testing showed new cases in those areas.
“I express my sadness to the local community that having been free of that for a little while they have to go back into lockdown, but it is for your safety and the community’s safety more broadly, said NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard.
NSW Health has confirmed there are two cases in Albury with no known source but with possible links to Sydney. Lismore has recorded one case, which health authorities say could also be linked to Sydney’s outbreak.
“In Albury, that area is principally managed through the Victorian health system, of course, the Albury-Wodonga system, but NSW Health will establish some additional pop-ups for testing in that area and there are a range of opportunities for vaccinations in that area,” said Mr Hazzard.
NSW Health administered 29,976 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 4,721 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
Across NSW, 80.1% of the over-16 population has received a first dose COVID-19 vaccine, and 48.5% are now fully vaccinated, NSW Health has confirmed.
Of the 1,351 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 453 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 337 are from Western Sydney LHD, 163 are from Sydney LHD, 154 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 59 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 44 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 37 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 27 are from Western NSW LHD, 23 are from Central Coast LHD, 16 are from Hunter New England LHD, three are from Southern NSW LHD, two are from Far West LHD, one is from Northern NSW LHD, 18 are in correctional settings and 14 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
“NSW Health’s ongoing sewage surveillance program has recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the Gunnedah, Inverell and Hunter Karuah sewage treatment plants in Hunter New England LHD, the Coffs Harbour sewage treatment plants in Mid North Coast LHD, the Cowra and Young sewage treatment plants in Western NSW LHD and the Narooma sewage treatment plant in Southern NSW LHD,” said NSW Health.
“No recent cases have been identified in these areas, so everyone is urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received.”
