New South Wales records 935 new local COVID-19 cases, four deaths
New South Wales has recorded 935 new local COVID-19 cases and four further deaths in the last day.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today’s numbers were an “outstanding result”, but warned against reading too much into cases falling bellow 1000.
She said hospitalisations and deaths would likely worsen into October.
But she lauded the state’s vaccination efforts, which have reached 82 per cent first-dose vaccinations.
“We’ve hit 82.2 per cent of first doses which is outstanding and 52.7 per cent of second doses and of course once we get to that 70 per cent double dose number we will be able to enjoy all those things we have missed for far too long,” she said.
“Pleasingly for 12-15-year-olds, we know that now 20 per cent of 12-15-year-olds have had their first dose of the vaccine.
“Given that was only made available about a week ago that is an outstanding result and we are urging all parents to consider vaccinating their 12-15-year-olds.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant reiterated the premier’s sentiments and said that while there were some “pleasing declines” in case numbers in Sydney suburbs, it was too soon for “complacency”.
“I call upon the communities of Greenacre, Guildford, Bankstown, Merrylands, Casula, Wayland, Fairfield and the Wollongong and Central Coast communities, and the areas around Waterloo, Redfern and the inner city to please be vigilant for signs and symptoms,” she said.
Positive COVID-19 results had been detected in sewage in Dareton, while Kempsey was also being monitored.
The deaths recorded today include two men, aged in their 60s, from Sydney’s south-west who died at Liverpool Hospital.
A man in his 80s, from Sydney’s west, died at Nepean Hospital, and a Wollongong woman, also in her 80s, died at Wollongong Hospital.
Berejiklian ‘positive’ about outbreak in NSW
Ms Berejiklian said she was feeling “more positive” about the COVID-19 situation in NSW, but noted that there is a chance cases could rise again.
“We always knew we would see the peak in mid-September, and I certainly hope it’s behind us, but you never know with COVID. It’s insidious,” she said.
She warned that any “super-spreader” events could send case numbers skyward again.
“I don’t want anybody thinking the worst is behind us,” she said.
She said hospitalisations were likely to peak in October, although hospitalisation numbers are currently lower than predicated.
Those in intensive care do however match modelling.
Ms Berejiklian said NSW hospitals had expanded their surge capacity for the predicted October peak.
“There will be weeks where our system is technically overwhelmed, but the plans are in place,” she said.
Anybody who needed care will receive it, she added.
The premier also acknowledged that there continues to be “pockets” of vaccine resistance in the state, and those who refused the vaccine were endangering themselves and others.
“At the end of the day, people will decide for themselves what is healthy for them and their families,” she said.
Cowra plunged into lockdown
Dr Chant has said the NSW regional town of Cowra would be going into lockdown from 5pm today.
“Anyone who was in Cowra from September 13, regardless of where they are, must adhere to the stay-at-home requirements,” she said.
“There was a nine-year-old boy who attended school in Cowra and there were a number of associated community exposures.
“The source at the moment is under investigation.”
Tough restrictions lift in LGAs of concern
Meanwhile, more than a million residents in Sydney’s coronavirus hotspots have woken to their first morning under the same rules as the rest of the city.
Tough restrictions had been enforced on 12 local government areas in Sydney’s west and south-west for months due to high numbers of COVID-19 infections
But from this morning, the areas are now subject to the same rules as Greater Sydney due to rising vaccination rates in suburbs which had been dubbed “hot zones”.
Vaccination rates across New South Wales have now reached 81 per cent single doses. Around 52 per cent have received both doses.
Case numbers today are down on yesterday’s when 1083 new infections were recorded yesterday but 13 people lost their lives
Among the new freedoms for residents in the former areas of concerns include being able to meet outdoors with up to five people, not including children aged 12 and under, within a LGA or five kilometres of home.
Previously only fully vaccinated household members could gather outdoors, or up to two fully vaccinated people from different households.
There is now no limit on the duration of outdoor exercise and recreation – previously it had been limited to just two hours.
Shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation can be done five kilometres from home or within your LGA, which had previously been only five kilometres from home.
Residents can now attend a wedding in Greater Sydney as a guest and a person’s single’s bubble buddy can live in Greater Sydney. Under the earlier restrictions they had to live within five kilometres of their home.
And in news that will come as a relief to many as the weather heats up, public pools will reopen from next Monday.
The reopening of public pools will also be a welcome boost to those who use the facilities for exercise, particularly those with mobility issues.
Further restrictions are due to ease across NSW in the coming weeks when 70 per cent of the population have received both doses of the vaccine.
