NSW recorded 1,029 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night.
Despite the rising case numbers people across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs.
This is the first step in the roadmap and further freedoms will follow for those who have had the jab when the state hits new vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.
The following individual freedoms will be allowed for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:
- For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
- For those who live in the LGAs of concern, and who have responded to the call out to get vaccinated, households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home).
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the people across NSW who came forward to receive their vaccine, helping hit the six million doses target.
“We are so grateful for every person who comes forward to get vaccinated because the more jabs we get into arms, the sooner we can lift restrictions,”
Ms Berejiklian said.
“We appreciate the community’s patience in the lead up to 13 September, this additional time will allow the recent surge of vaccines to take effect.”
As part of the roadmap when the following targets are hit, freedoms will be as follows:
- 70 per cent full vaccination: a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions to be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
- 80 per cent full vaccination: further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.
The government is also investigating trials of certain industries in coming months, as a proof-of-concept measure to prepare the businesses to open up and operate in a COVID-safe way.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this roadmap is our path to freedom and is our biggest incentive yet to get vaccinated so we can return to a level of normality.
“The roadmap announced today outlines a clear pathway forward in which a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions will be lifted for those that are fully vaccinated when NSW hits 70 per cent,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Having a meal with loved ones, or having a drink with friends is just around the corner, but to get there, we need to keep up momentum in the vaccination rollout.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said two doses of the vaccine not only helps protect people from hospitalisation and death, but also helps reduce transmission.
“Two vaccine doses leads to around a 90 per cent overall reduction in transmission of the virus,”
Mr Hazzard said.
Of NSW’s locally acquired cases, 185 are linked to a known case or cluster – 160 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts – the source of infection for 844 cases under investigation.
Ninety-one people were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 33 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Sixty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 844 cases remains under investigation.
Five new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night and 18 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 21,282.
NSW Health has reported the recent deaths of three people who had COVID-19.
Three men who were being cared for in the community in western Sydney died at their homes – a man in his 30s, a man in his 60s, and a man in his 80s.
This brings the number of COVID- related deaths to 79 since 16 June 2021, and the number of lives lost to 135 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There are currently 698 COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital, with 116 people in intensive care, 43 of whom require ventilation.
151,272 COVID-19 tests reported upto 8 pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 149,252. NSW Health administered 51,232 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night, including 11,754 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 6,280,700.
With 2,304,017 doses administered by NSW Health to 8 pm last night and 3,976,683 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11:59 pm on Tuesday 24 August 2021.
Of the 1,029 locally acquired cases reported to 8 pm last night, 403 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 309 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 112 are from Sydney LHD, 71 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 35 are from Western NSW LHD, 57 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 17 are from Northern Sydney LHD, six are from Far West LHD, two are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, two are from Central Coast LHD, no new cases for Hunter New England LHD and 15 cases are yet to be assigned.
Across the Western NSW Local Health District, there have been 35 new cases of COVID-19 reported to 8 pm last night.
Health authorities are urging people in the affected areas throughout Western NSW need to be extremely vigilant and get tested at the first sign of symptoms.
Due to ongoing concerns about community transmission, stay-at-home orders in place for regional NSW will be extended by two weeks, until at least 11:59 pm on 10 September, in line with existing orders for the Greater Sydney area.
Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. They also cannot have visitors in their homes from outside their households, including family and friends.
If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, book an appointment as soon possible.
The NSW Government will waive the ambulance fee for patients unwell with, or suspected to have, COVID-19.
There are several options to receive your ‘proof of COVID-19 vaccination’:
- Download your COVID-19 digital certificate via the Express Plus Medicare mobile app or your Medicare online account through myGov.
- You can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
- Instructions are available on the Services Australia website.
- If you can’t get proof online, your vaccination provider can print your immunisation history statement for you.
- Call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm) and ask for your statement to be sent to you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post.
- If you’re not eligible for Medicare you can call the Australian Immunisation Register and request your certificate be mailed to you or add your COVID-19 certificate to your digital wallet using the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service (IHI service) through myGov.
There are more than 460 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit: https://nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics… or contact your GP.