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Sydney man in his 20s dies at home after contracting Covid

Young people are being reminded of the importance of getting a Covid jab after a man in his 20s was among eight Covid related deaths recorded in NSW.

NSW Health reported 587 locally acquired cases on Thursday with Premier Dominic Perrottet announcing changes to the state's roadmap out of lockdown.

Mr Perrottet revealed the changes on Thursday morning, following NSW reaching a 70 per cent vaccination rate for people 16 and over on Wednesday.

A photo of a man giving a man a Covid vaccination in his car.
NSW reached 70 per cent double vaccination on Wednesday. Source: AAP

Of the eight deaths, five people were not vaccinated, one person had received one dose, and two people with underlying health conditions had received two doses of a Covid vaccine.

Two people – a man in his 20s from western Sydney and a woman in her 80s from south eastern Sydney – died at home and tested positive to Covid-19 after their deaths.

There have been 403 Covid-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 459 in total since the start of the pandemic.

Where the 587 Covid cases are located

  • 119 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD)

  • 105 are from Western Sydney LHD

  • 83 are from Hunter New England LHD

  • 60 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD

  • 59 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD

  • 59 are from Sydney LHD

  • 22 are from Northern Sydney LHD

  • 21 are from Central Coast LHD

  • 20 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD

  • 15 are from Southern NSW LHD

  • Seven are from Western NSW LHD

  • Seven are from Northern NSW LHD

  • Four are from Murrumbidgee LHD

  • Two are from Far West LHD,

  • One is in correctional settings

  • Three are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

People walking and running along a beach in Sydney.
Freedom day is just around the corner for Sydneysiders. Source: AAP

Under 40s represent the majority of cases

UNSW epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, a World Health Organization (WHO) advisor, told ABC News the focus needs to be on improving the vaccination rate of the under 40s, who she says are the most active in society.

"It's the under 40 years of age represent the majority of cases, and therefore the majority of transmission," Professor McLaws said.

"I think that that 80 per cent needs to be within that young age group but also regionally as well.

"There needs to be much more parity with that level."

Changes to NSW roadmap to freedom

NSW reached its 70 per cent vaccination milestone on Wednesday, triggering the easing of lockdown restrictions in the state.

"Major changes" from Monday for fully vaccinated include:

  • People can welcome 10 vaccinated people into their homes. It was previously set to increase to five.

  • Weddings and funerals can have a capacity of 100. It was previously set to increase to 50.

  • A group of 30 vaccinated people can meet outdoors. It was previously set to increase to 20.

  • Indoor pools will reopen for lessons, lap swimming and rehab activities.

Read more about the changes here.

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