Covid NSW: Worrying trend as new cases surge to 390
Record 390 cases, numbers set to keep rising
Woman in he 40s dies at home from Covid
Weekend blitz on retail and supermarkets
NSW announced 390 new local Covid-19 cases on Friday, with at least 60 infectious while in the community.
During a media conference on Friday Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that she anticipates numbers will continue to soar in the coming days.
"Unfortunately this trend will continue for at least the next few days," she said. "It means all of us have to work harder to make sure we start and follow the rules."
Two more people have died from the virus, including a woman in her 40s who died at her home in southwest Sydney. She was not vaccinated, Dr Marianne Gale, Director of Population and Community Health, said.
The woman was a close contact of another confirmed case and tested positive on August 7. Her death is has been referred to the coroner.
A man in his late 90s from the Hunter Region who was fully-vaccinated and under palliative care has also died. The death toll for the current outbreak in NSW is now at least 38.
"Behind every single statistic is a loved one, a family, and many carers," Ms Berejiklian said.
There are 391 people with Covid in hospital, Dr Gale said.
Sixty-three are in intensive care and 30 are on ventilation. Of those in the ICU, four are in their 20s, six are in their 30s, five in their 40s, and 15 are in their 50s.
Fifty-five of the 63 are not vaccinated, Dr Gale said, urging young people to take Covid seriously.
Premier hits out at people 'pretending not to know rules'
Ms Berejiklian said a "handful" of people are using the health orders as an excuse despite knowing they are breaching Covid lockdown restrictions.
"When people knowingly do the wrong thing and pretend they did not know that is not acceptable," she said.
"I am a bit tired of hearing people say they don't know what they are supposed to do."
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said "some people are allowing [Delta] to be used as a weapon because of their ignorance, their stupidity, and their desire to thumb their nose at the health orders and the law generally."
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NSW Covid: Officials 'very concerned' about Dubbo
While the “main challenge” remains in western Sydney, there has been a stabilisation in numbers in the Fairfield and Canterbury-Bankstown areas, Ms Berejiklian said on Friday.
The premier said Blacktown and Mount Druitt had now become areas of particular concern for health authorities, with a rise in cases.
"We are really wanting to make sure that people living in Blacktown and Mount Druitt and those adjoining suburbs come forward for testing and stay home," she said.
NSW Health officials are also "very concerned" about the potential spread of Covid-19 among vulnerable regional communities, with the majority of the 25 new cases in Dubbo and Walgett diagnosed in Aboriginal people.
The cases led the state government to call a one-week snap lockdown for the Walgett, Dubbo, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine and Warren areas on Wednesday.
SafeWork to inspect Woolworths and Coles stores
Supermarkets and retailers across Greater Sydney should expect a visit from SafeWork NSW inspectors from Saturday.
SafeWork NSW, Director of Work Health and Safety Dimitri Argeres, said inspectors will be out in force, targeting retailers and specifically supermarkets, to ensure they are complying with the latest public health orders.
"While the vast majority of businesses are making every effort to ensure they do the right thing, it’s now more important than ever for all retailers to be Covid smart and Covid safe," Mr Argeres said.
"Any business found breaking the rules may be subjected to fines and could face a closure."
Businesses are required to have the correct QR sign in procedures and ensure customers are checking in.
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