06.08.2021
2 min read

NSW records 262 new COVID-19 cases and five more deaths

‘It’s horrible that, during this time, families are losing their loved ones.’

NSW records 262 new cases and five deaths from COVID-19

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New South Wales recorded 262 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a day after Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned numbers “will get worse”.

The infections, recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday from more than 107,000 tests, are up from 233 cases on Wednesday.

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At least 72 were circulating in the community for all or part of their infectious period. The isolation status of 80 cases remains under investigation.

Five further deaths were also recorded in the 24 hour period - three people in their 60s, one in their 70s and one in their 80s.

Three men in their 60s - all from western and southwest Sydney - succumbed to the virus at Campbelltown Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Westmead Hospital.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Credit: AAP

While a man in his 70s from Sydney’s inner west died at Concord General Repatriation Hospital and a woman in her 80s from Sydney’s south-west died at Liverpool Hospital.

“We extend our deepest condolences to all of their loved ones at the tragic loss. It’s horrible that, during this time, families are losing their loved ones,” Berejiklian told reporters on Thursday.

She said four of the five people were not vaccinated at all, and one had received one dose of AstraZeneca.

“No one who has died has had both doses of vaccine. I cannot stress enough how it’s so important for everybody of all ages to come forward and get the vaccine,” she added.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said all had been receiving “excellent care” in hospital.

Members of the public wait for a vaccine at a mass COVID-19 vaccination hub in Sydney. Credit: JOEL CARRETT/AAPIMAGE

Three cases were detected in two Hunter schools a day after Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant warned fragments of the virus had been found in the region’s wastewater system.

As a result, the Hunter and Upper Hunter regions - including Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock - will enter a one-week lockdown from 5pm on Thursday.

There have been 4,319 locally acquired cases reported since mid-June.

There are currently 51 COVID-19 patients in NSW in intensive care, with 24 ventilated.

Greater Sydney and surrounding regions are in lockdown until at least August 28 as health authorities battle to contain the outbreak of the virulent Delta strain.

- with AAP