To Sunday 26 December 2021 across NSW, 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.5 per cent have received two doses.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.6 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.3 per cent have received two doses.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,570,153 with 4,335,448 administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 9,234,705 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Sunday 26 December 2021.
NSW Health encourages everyone who is eligible to book into a NSW Health vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.
Everyone aged 18 years and older may now receive a booster after receiving their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect yourself, your loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19. If you are due for a booster over the Christmas/New Year period, you can have it a little earlier.
We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose.
Sadly, NSW Health is today reporting the death of a man in his 80s from western Sydney who died at Nepean Hospital. He was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions. NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to his loved ones.
There are currently 557 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 60 people in intensive care, 19 of whom require ventilation.
There were 93,581 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 97,241.
NSW recorded 6,062 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Thirty-one COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 142,853.
Testing capacity in NSW is currently under enormous pressure and the only people getting a PCR (nose and throat swab) should be those who have COVID-19 symptoms; live in a household with a confirmed COVID-19-positive case; or have been in a venue which NSW Health has advised there has been high transmission.
This applies to people who are fully or partially vaccinated, as well as those not vaccinated.
If you do not have symptoms, it is advised to take a rapid antigen test as an additional precaution before going out, particularly if socialising in groups of people or anywhere it may be difficult to socially distance. Information on how to use rapid antigen tests is available on the NSW Government website.
Around a quarter of people exposed to COVID-19 may still develop their infection after seven days. For the next seven days, they should exercise caution and avoid high-risk settings and large indoor gatherings, and use a rapid antigen test if coming into contact with vulnerable people.
Of the 6,062 cases reported to 8pm last night, 1,175 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 975 are from Sydney LHD, 912 are from Western Sydney LHD, 782 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 639 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 409 are from Hunter New England LHD,
217 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 211 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 180 are from Central Coast LHD, 149 are from Northern NSW LHD, 101 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 98 are from Western NSW LHD, 51 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 42 are from Southern NSW LHD, two are from Far West LHD, three are in correctional settings, one is in hotel quarantine, and 115 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the self-isolation rules.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms it is still important that you have a test and self-isolate until you receive a negative test result.
There are COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.
*to 11.59pm 23 December 2021
*notified from 8pm 26 December 2021 to 8pm 27 December 2021
Video of today's update.