NSW has recorded another nine COVID-related deaths as the state’s daily case numbers continue to rise.
Another 1542 cases were confirmed on Friday, the highest number of daily cases ever recorded in the state.
See the latest from NSW authorities in the video above
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However NSW cases are expected to keep rising and peak in the next week.
The deaths announced include six men, two of whom died at home, and three women.
The total number of people who have been infected with COVID since the beginning of the outbreak in June is now 34,804.
Of those, 162 have died.
There are currently 1156 people being treated for the virus in hospital, 207 of whom are in ICU and 89 requiring ventilation.
More than 76 per cent of the adult population has had a first dose of a COVID vaccine in NSW, with more than 43 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated.
‘Critical stage’
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the state’s path out of lockdown on Thursday, but urged the community to not drop their guard.
“All the work we have done in planning, all the work we have done as to what we can do at 70 per cent and once we present the 80 per cent double dose, is based on the fact that these restrictions remain in place until otherwise advised,” she said.
“Because if anything happens contrary to the modelling or what we expect we do not want to have to revisit anything.
“We want to make sure that we all enjoy the great things that we are looking forward to when we hit 70 per cent double dose vaccination.
“We are at a critical stage because we envisage that once we get through the middle of September all those people who have been vaccinated will kick in to the numbers and show that the spread is reducing.”
Areas of concern
Health authorities called out several areas of concern across Sydney, including the suburbs of Canterbury-Bankstown, that are seeing a rise in cases.
Those suburbs also include Fairfield, Bankstown, Greenacre, Liverpool, Punchbowl, Auburn, Guildford, Merrylands, Redfern and Glebe.
People living in those areas are urged to get vaccinated and tested if they have any symptoms of the virus.
From Monday, people living outside the Sydney LGAs of concern will be able to have picnics outside, but within their 5km radius, with five other people, so long as every adult is vaccinated.
In the LGAs of concern, people will be able to exercise for an unlimited amount of time and will be allowed to have picnics with vaccinated members of their household for two hours a day, within their 5km radius.