Covid NSW: Joint-record deaths as state surpasses vaccine milestone

• 864 more Covid cases and 15 deaths

• 10 million jab target surpassed

• 64 per cent of population fully vaccinated

NSW has surpassed its target of 10 million Covid jabs, as the state reports another record day of deaths from the virus.

Fifteen Covid related deaths were recorded up until 8pm on Thursday, with 864 locally acquired cases reported.

Three people who died were in their 50s, two were in their 60s, two in their 70s, six in their 80s and two in their 90s. One woman in her 50s from southwestern Sydney died at home and subsequently tested positive to Covid.

Nine people who died were not vaccinated, one person had a single dose and five were fully vaccinated.

Five people were from western Sydney, four people were from south western Sydney, three people were from the Nepean Blue Mountains area, two people were from Sydney’s inner west, and one person was from south eastern Sydney.

Two people who died acquired their infections in hospitals – a man in his 80s from south eastern Sydney at the Mater Hospital and a woman in her 80s at Westmead Hospital. There have now been 408 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

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• NSW Covid roadmap: Everything that changes at 70 per cent vaccinated

Now, 87.2 per cent of the NSW population over the age of 16 have received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, 64 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Of the 864 locally acquired cases reported to 8:00pm last night

• 188 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LGA)

• 167 are from Western Sydney LHD

• 96 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD

• 83 are from South East Sydney LHD

• 69 are from Hunter New England LHD

• 48 are from Western NSW LHD

• 45 are from Sydney LHD

• 44 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD

• 36 are from Central Coast LHD

• 35 are from Northern Sydney LHD

• 20 are from Southern NSW LHD

• seven are from Far West LHD

• seven are from Murrumbidgee LHD

• five are from Northern NSW LHD

• three are from Mid North Coast LHD

• four are in correctional settings

• and seven are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

ACT's 'toughest day' of pandemic

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced on Friday morning the territory had experienced the toughest day of its pandemic response with two Canberrans dying and a record 52 new cases recorded.

Mr Barr said 40 of the 52 cases are linked and 12 remain under investigation.

"Today's increase in the case numbers come as a shock to many but it is an important reminder that the virus is still very much in our community," he said.

He urged Canberrans to come forward and get vaccinated ahead of the ACT's exit from lockdown on October 15.

Mr Barr highlighted the fact that 40 percent of the eligible population are still to get fully vaccinated, highlighting that these are predominantly Canberrans who are under 40.

Non-urgent surgery to recommence in NSW

Non-urgent elective surgery is set to recommence at private facilities in Greater Sydney from next week.

"Due to declining community transmission of Covid-19 and increasing vaccination rates within NSW, non-urgent day surgery will recommence from Tuesday 5 October at private facilities where it has been temporarily postponed," a statement from NSW Health read.

"Day surgery (surgery that does not require the patient to stay in hospital overnight) will recommence for both public and private patients in private facilities only.

"Emergency surgery and urgent elective surgery will continue to be performed in public hospitals during this challenging period. Surgery restrictions will only be in place as long as necessary."

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