Covid NSW: Record daily cases as state hits new vaccine milestone
NSW has surpassed eight million jabs, as the state reports yet another record number of locally-acquired cases.
The state recorded 1599 new Covid-19 infection on Saturday and eight deaths.
There have now been 170 Covid-related deaths since June 16 when the most recent outbreak was identified, 226 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There are now 1164 people in hospital with Covid-19, including 221 people who are in intensive care and 94 people require a ventilator.
The youngest of those who died in the previous 24 hours was a man in his 30s from western Sydney, he died at home.
A man in his 40s from south-western Sydney also died at his home and a man in his 50s from western Sydney died at Royal North shore Hospital.
Two men in their 70s also died, along with two women and one man aged in their 80s.
None of the people who died were vaccinated against Covid-19.
In NSW, 77.3 per cent of people aged over 16 have had one dose of a Covid vaccine, while 44.5 per cent of people are fully vaccinated.
Health minister questioned on people flocking to the beach
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard was asked whether he was concerned about people flocking to the beach over the weekend as the weather warms up.
"I am concerned about people who are not vaccinated," he said.
"Fresh air we know is the safest place to be at the present time."
Mr Hazzard deflected questioning on whether large groups of people at beaches and parks would be targeted by police during the weekend’s hot weather, saying he was saddened to have to implement public health orders on the public.
“I know the media will have photographs today of people out and about, they tend to do that, generally that is a safe place to be,” he said
NSW recorded 1542 new Covid-19 cases and nine deaths on Friday, as the premier announced a drastic change to the daily Covid update.
Come Monday, the premier or any health official will no longer front the press and instead NSW Health will release a video, running through all the relevant information.
"So the weekend, Sunday will be the last day we officially do a press conference in this way but from Monday at 11am, health will provide a daily health update and myself and Minister Hazzard or any other relevant minister will present to the community on a needs basis," Ms Berejiklian said.
More to come.
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