Covid outbreak in NSW hits another bleak record with 830 new cases and 94 fighting for life in hospital - but 'extraordinary' vaccination surge has lockdown on track to be over by October
NSW has broken another pandemic record with 830 new cases of Covid-19 overnight, with 94 fighting for life in intensive care.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced the figure at a press conference on Sunday morning, but described the state's vaccination rates 'quite extraordinary'.
'I thank the residents of NSW are coming out in such great numbers to be vaccinated,' he told reporters.
'I am advised that in fact, NSW is now amongst the highest - if not the highest - in the world in terms of vaccination rates.'
So far, 58 per cent of people in the state have had one dose of a vaccine and 31 per cent have had two doses.
NSW registered a record 830 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday morning - the highest number of infections ever recorded in a single day in Australia. Pictured: A woman at Coogee on Sunday
When asked whether restrictions would be eased, Mr Hazzard said he was confident there would be 'a lot more normality in our lives' in just 'weeks'.
'If our community keeps getting their vaccines the way they are, NSW will look pretty good by October, November,' he said.
'I'm really encouraged by the positivity in the community in getting vaccinated.'
Of the 830 new cases, 317 are in the Western Sydney health district, 237 in the South Western Sydney district and 70 in the Nepean Blue Mountains district.
The majority of Sydney's cases are in the south-west, in Blacktown, Greenacre, Guildford, Merrylands, Granville and Condell Park.
Three more deaths were also recorded overnight - two men in their 60s and 70s, and a woman in her 80s.
New South Wales registered the worst day of cases Australia has seen during the pandemic with 830 new coronavirus cases on Sunday
Three more deaths were recorded overnight in NSW on Sunday - two men in their 60s and 70s, and a woman in her 80s. Pictured: Women exercising at Coogee Beach on Sunday
People flocked to the Bronte Beach on Sunday morning, despite NSW registering a record 830 new cases
Mr Hazzard said there are 557 people in hospital with the virus in NSW, and 94 are in ICU - 83 of whom are not vaccinated, while the remaining patients have received only one dose.
Deputy chief health officer Marianne Gale explained that Covid particles have been detected in the sewage in Bateau Bay on the Central Coast and encouraged all residents to get tested.
Residents of Lithgow, Parkes and Orange were also urged to get a swab after 36 cases were recorded in the area.
'The majority continue to be in the area of Dubbo and surrounds although we are also seeing cases in Bathurst, Wellington, Berks, Narromine and Orange,' Dr Gale said.
'We are calling to people of Orange to come out and get tested, is that while we have two new reported to 8pm last night, overnight we have had an additional four cases making a total of six in Orange at the current time.'
There are two new cases in Wilcannia and Broken Hill, in the state's far west, and seven in the Hunter New England region.
Mr Hazzard encouraged people to stay at home unless they're getting vaccinated. Pictured: A woman at Coogee Beach on Sunday morning
Regional areas, including Orange, Wilcannia and Bathurst are also on alert (pictured: women running in Sydney on Sunday)
NSW Health has 200,000 vaccine bookings so far, but NSW Health deputy secretary Susan Pearce said there could easily be 200,000 more accomodated.
'The reality is, we really need people to continue to come out and get vaccinated,' Dr Gale said.
'Don't delay... it is reasonable to leave your home to get vaccinated, you don't need to be concerned about that.'
Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys said police issued 240 penalty infringement notices in the last 24 hours across the state.
Many were related to those involved in Saturday's planned anti-lockdown protests in Sydney CBD.
About 1,500 officers were deployed on Saturday to stop protesters from marching.
The huge coordinated police presence and operation appeared to overwhelm protest efforts.
Police issued 37 tickets after stopping around 38,000 cars approaching the city.
There will be a curfew in 12 Sydney LGAs of concern, staring on Monday. Pictured: A woman walking in Coogee
Pictured: A woman is questioned by NSW Police on Broadway on August 21 during anti-lockdown protests
Pictured: A police officer is injured during a 'National Rally for Peace, Freedom and Human Rights' anti-lockdown protest in Sydney, Saturday, August 21
Mr Worboys said police will be out in force ensuring residents in the 12 Sydney LGAs of concern comply with 9pm curfews.
He said the tight restrictions would stop 'young men wanting to leave their home and go about various engagements and activities through all hours of the night'.
'This curfew will signal that this is the time that that sort of behaviour must stop,' Deputy Commissioner Warboys said.
'Police will be out and they will take action and we just hope that everyone makes some sense of this and realises that we all have a part to play on this.'
On Saturday, NSW Premier Berejiklian confirmed the state registered 825 new infections.
The state leader lamented the 'catastrophic consequences' of the minority doing the wrong thing in the community.
Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys said police issued 240 penalty infringement notices in the last 24 hours across the state
Many were related to those involved in Saturday's planned anti-lockdown protests in Sydney CBD. Pictured: A man a Coogee on Sunday morning
NSW authorities said the chanced of dropped down to zero Covid cases is unlikely (pictured: women walking at Coogee Beach on Sunday)
'This is nothing Australia has seen before. Even in very strict and harsh lockdowns, the virus is spreading,' she said.
'That is a fact. What we need to do is protect ourselves and loved ones by staying at home and getting vaccinated.'
There were at least 58 residents who were infectious in the community with three deaths recorded overnight - a man in his 80s, a man in his 90s and a woman in her 80s.
In a bid to shift public focus from the rising tide of cases to 'more important' vaccination figures and the national goal of 70 and 80 per cent coverage, Ms Berejiklian said she'd noticed a 'change in attitude' from her interstate counterparts.
'We accept that Delta is here,' she told reporters.
'We accept heading to zero across the nation, especially once you open up and live freely, will be an impossible task.'
The premier implored people to 'be real about it' and know that vaccinations were keeping them and their loved ones out of hospital.
Nearly 80 per cent of Saturday's cases were in Sydney's west and southwest where tough new restrictions including a night-time curfew are in force.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale said six residents of the Normanhurst facility's dementia ward had been diagnosed with the virus after an unvaccinated staff member worked while infectious. Four of them had declined the jab.
Nearly 80 per cent of Saturday's cases were in Sydney's west and southwest where tough new restrictions including a night-time curfew are in force. Pictured: People in Coogee on Sunday
Pictured: People exercising at Bondi Beach on Saturday, as the state recorded 825 new infections
The entire state is now locked down and a police blitz underway to enforce harsher regulations and increased fines.
Leichhardt Public School has been closed after a staff member tested positive to Covid-19, and Lane Cove West Public School was also shut after a student tested positive.
Staff and students at both schools have been asked to self-isolate until further notice, a NSW Education spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday night.
Persistently high case numbers have led to stay-at-home orders for Sydneysiders until at least September 30 while regional NSW is locked down until at least August 28.
NSW police have been given greater powers to enforce compliance including the ability to lock down apartment blocks while NSW Health assesses Covid-19 risk - before anyone even tests positive.
People who enter LGAs of concern, which include Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith and Strathfield, without a reasonable excuse will face fines of $1000 and an order to isolate at home for two weeks.
Hardware stores like Bunnings, office supply stores and other retail premises must close in those 12 areas except for click-and-collect, and all exams and education activities must move online, except the HSC.
A permit system will from Saturday also come into force for people travelling between Greater Sydney and regional NSW.