World / Covid 19

NSW records 753 new cases, reaches 6m vaccinations mark

14:30 pm on 24 August 2021

New South Wales has recorded 753 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday.

Sydneysiders queue for their vaccinations. Photo: AFP

Seventy-three cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 22 were in isolation for part of their infectious period.

Forty-nine cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 609 cases remains under investigation.

There are currently 608 Covid-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 107 people in intensive care, 34 of whom require ventilation.

Yesterday the state had 818 new community cases and three deaths.

Gladys Berejiklian Photo: AFP

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told a press conference that the state has reached six million vaccinations.

"That equates to 60 percent of our population across the state with at least one dose. And around 30 percent of the population double dosed. It is amazing milestones. I'm deeply grateful."

She said later this week she will announce what restrictions can ease next month for those who are fully vaccinated.

However, she would not be drawn on whether that new freedom would also apply to the 12 local government areas (LGAs) of concern.

The premier pointed to ongoing suburbs of concern, warning residents to assume they have Covid-19 or those around them are infected with the virus.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant urged NSW residents to get their second vaccination as soon as possible and discuss with their GP the possibility of bringing it forward with a gap of four to six weeks.

She said the focus for high case numbers remains on South-Western Sydney and the Western NSW local health districts.

"The key message is we need to hold the course. Everyone is fatigued and tired," she said.

"But it is incredibly important that as we increase vaccine coverage, we do all we can about further transmission and that we continue to see those case numbers reduce."

Dr Chant pointed once again to the Doherty report, which has created modelling recommending that when communities reach 80 percent vaccination levels, residents have more options and choices.

But she said there may still need to be restrictions.

- ABC