'Disturbingly high': NSW sees record Covid cases, eight deaths
Eight new deaths including teen
All of NSW in lockdown
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a "disturbingly high" 478 new Covid cases on Monday morning and eight more deaths related to the virus.
It's a record rise in new cases since the start of the Covid pandemic last year, and the third day in a row new infections have been above 400.
The state has also recorded the highest number of Covid-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
“We can't stress enough how hard all of us have to work to reduce these numbers, to reduce the growth of the spread and make sure we are all staying home unless we absolutely have to otherwise,” Ms Berejiklain said.
“Can I also extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to seven families who have lost a loved one to 8:00pm last night.”
Eight new deaths including teen
While seven people died of Covid-19, Osama Suduh, 15, died overnight in the ICU Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick after contracting pneumococcal meningitis. He also tested positive for the virus but health authorities say it was not the cause of his death.
NSW Health has recorded his death as Covid-related.
Of the seven other deaths, one was in aged in their 40s, two were in their 70s and four were aged in their 80s.
A woman in her 80s died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney's inner west and was a resident at the Wyoming Residential Aged Care Facility and the third death linked to this cluster.
NSW Health said there have been 56 Covid-related deaths since the start of the most recent outbreak in June this year, 112 since the start of the pandemic.
Of the new cases, 61 cases were infectious in the community, 30 were out in the community for part of their infectious period, while the isolation status of 290 is under investigation.
There are currently 391 Covid cases in hospital, 66 people are in intensive care, 28 are on ventilators.
Marylands, Guildford, Granville, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Yagoona, Greenacre and Bankstown are continuing to see "escalating cases", Ms Berejiklian said.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said she was "particularly concerned" about the impact Covid-19 is having on Indigenous communities in Dubbo.
She said the vaccination rates in Aboriginal communities was not as high as she would like and added the state government is working with the federal government to "increase opportunities for vaccination in impacted areas in western NSW".
All of NSW in strict lockdown
On Saturday, the state recorded 466 new Covid infections and 415 cases were reported on Sunday.
All of NSW is now in lockdown, due to the virus spreading out of Greater Sydney and into the regions.
People in Greater Sydney have now been limited to exercise or shop within five kilometres of their home and they need a permit to travel to regional NSW.
While single people in 12 LGA hotspots will need to register their "single buddies".
In newly locked down regional areas, people can only leave their home for an essential reason.
Everyone must carry masks at all times, no visitors are allowed in the home unless for carers' responsibilities or for compassionate reasons, and those in a relationship.
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