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NSW records 105 new Covid cases, key statistic remains 'a worry'

The number of daily Covid-19 cases in NSW has remained above 100 for the second consecutive day as health authorities struggle to suppress the highly-infectious Delta variant.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a further 105 locally acquired cases on Sunday, and follows 111 on Saturday.

Of the latest cases, 27 were infectious in the community. A further seven were partly in the community while infectious.

Sydney residents have woken on Sunday to tightened restrictions. Source: Getty
Sydney residents have woken on Sunday to tightened restrictions. Source: Getty

Ms Berejiklian has repeatedly warned that statistic remains "too high" and reiterated her stance on Sunday.

"That is the number that worries us the most," she told reporters.

"We want the community to be more vigilant than ever before, because I am convinced that working together we will start to see those numbers nudge."

The number of daily infections fully in the community while infectious has not been below 20 since July 9, nine days ago.

Ms Berejiklian said she expected a lag of between five or six days until case numbers began to drop as a result of the latest restrictions.

"We still want the community to be more vigilant than ever before," she said.

A woman in her 90s living in Sydney's southwest also died from the virus while 76 remain in hospital of which 18 are in the ICU. There were 66,671 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.

Premier's admission about Covid announcement

The increase comes on the day Sydneysiders woke to tightened lockdown restrictions as health authorities desperately try to suppress the virus in the community.

On Sunday, Ms Berejiklian said imposing tighter restrictions was the most difficult day she's ever faced.

"Yesterday was a very, very difficult day for everybody, for everybody," she said.

"And I am not embarrassed to say that in public life, yesterday was probably the most difficult day I've had personally because we don't take these decisions lightly."

The majority of infections are still arising in Fairfield local government area.

Residents in the LGA, alongside Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool, are now not allowed to leave the area unless they are emergency services or medical workers or for emergency.

Overnight a raft of new exposure sites were listed, including a coffee shop in Sydney's inner-west where a positive case worked for 10 days while infectious.

Residents stock up on provisions at a shopping centre in Sydney.
People stock up on groceries in Sydney. Source: Getty Images

'Wear masks outside'

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant issued an "important reminder" for people to wear masks even while outside.

“So basically, any time you are likely to come into contact with anyone outside your household group, you need to be wearing a mask - indoor and out," she said.

"It is an important reminder that we can transmit Covid and we want to prevent that occurring."

Dr Chant added people should wear masks at outdoor markets.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant addresses media during a press conference in Sydney.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has reminded people about the importance of wearing masks. Source: Getty Images

Concerns over testing numbers

Despite the state having more than 66,000 tests in the past 24 hours, Dr Chant said she was concerned about testing numbers in a number of suburbs.

She added "it is important no one is complacent".

“So the areas of concern for testing are Fairfield, Bankstown, Liverpool, Lakemba, Georges, Bayside, Sutherland, Western Sydney," Dr Chant said.

"I really want to see a big rising testing and Sydney, particularly in Cumberland, Mt Druitt and Rooty Hill.”

There has also been Covid traces detected in sewage in Wollongong.

with AAP

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