Child under five dies with Covid on NSW's deadliest day
A child under five is one of 18 deaths NSW has suffered on its deadliest day since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The state recorded 20,293 new infections in the 24 hours until 8pm on Sunday with 2,030 people now in hospital with Covid-19, including 159 requiring the intensive care unit.
Of the 18 deaths, one was a child from Sydney’s southwest.
“The child from south western Sydney died at home and had significant underlying health conditions,” NSW Health said.
The 17 other deaths included a man from Sydney’s east aged in his 30s who died in Prince of Wales Hospital.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said he was not vaccinated and was unsure if he had any underlying health conditions.
Dr Chant added most of the deaths in younger people she was aware of have been associated with the Omicron variant.
Monday will see the vaccine rollout to include Australians aged from 5-11.
People with Omicron are 'getting really sick in a different way'
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PM's Omicron plea to the nation
Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Australians to stay the course.
"We have to push through. That is what Omicron is about," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
There have been concerns about the vaccine rollout ahead of children returning to school.
Queensland on Sunday said it will delay in-class learning until February 7. Victoria and NSW both said they do not have plans to delay schooling at this stage though.
Former Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth told Nine’s Today Show on Monday he has no concerns about sending his kids back to school with or without the jab.
“We are not in a situation in Australia that requires a delay to school opening,” he told the program.
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