Thread by @NSWHealth

NSW recorded 177 new locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

One new case was acquired overseas, and 12 cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 75,089.

Sadly, we are today reporting the death of a woman in her 70s from south-western Sydney who died at Concord Hospital. She was not vaccinated.

We express our sincere condolences to her loved ones.

There have been 514 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 570 in total since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 69,397 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.

There are currently 340 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 78 people in intensive care, 32 of whom require ventilation.

There were 75,378 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 77,271.

To 11:59pm on Friday 29 October 2021 across NSW, 93.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 87.5 per cent were fully vaccinated.

In the 12-15 year old age group, 79.2 per cent have had their first dose, and 60.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 12,304,394 with 4,045,698 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 8,258,696 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Friday 29 October 2021.

Of the 177 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 33 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 25 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 22 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 18 are from Western Sydney LHD, 17 are from Sydney LHD, -

- 14 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 13 are from Mid North Coast LHD, nine are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, seven are from Northern Sydney LHD, six are from Central Coast LHD, four are from Southern NSW LHD, three are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, -

- two are from Western NSW LHD, one is from Far West NSW LHD and three are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

Our ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in sewage samples collected from across NSW, including Dungog.

Everyone in this area 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.

From tomorrow, with fully vaccinated international travellers returning to the country without quarantine, regional travel, and other restrictions easing - it’s more important than ever to continue our COVID-19 safe behaviours.

It is vital that anyone who has any symptoms of COVID-19 is tested immediately and isolates.

It is critical that we maintain high testing rates, particularly in the regions, including in areas where there are no cases. Testing allows us to know where the virus may be circulating and gives us the ability to get any potential outbreaks under control as quickly as possible.

If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccination yet, please don’t delay. Even if you have had COVID-19 and recovered, you should get vaccinated.

In this phase of the pandemic, the onus is on every one of us to keep each other safe, especially our most vulnerable.

This also means wearing a mask where required, practicing physical distancing, particularly in indoor settings, maintaining hand hygiene, and always checking in using the Service NSW app.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID 19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on our website.

Please check the NSW Government website regularly: nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-…, and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19.

This list is updated regularly as case investigations proceed.

There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-… or contact your GP.

Video of today’s update is available here:
vimeo.com/640765803/9616…