Across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.7 per cent have received two doses to Sunday 17 April 2022.

• Of children aged 12 to 15, 83.3 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 79.5 per cent have received two doses.
• Of children aged 5 to 11, 49.9 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 32.7 per cent have received two doses.
• Of people aged 16 plus, 61.8 per cent have now received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This represents 65.7 per cent of the eligible population that received their second dose more than three months ago.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 17,711,668, with 5,045,695 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 12,665,973 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Sunday 17 April 2022.

NSW Health encourages everyone who is eligible to receive a vaccination or their booster dose to book into a NSW Health vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.

Sadly, NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of eight people with COVID-19; five women and three men.

One person was aged in their 60s, two people were aged in their 70s, three people were aged in their 80s and two people were aged in their 90s. Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.

Of the seven people who died over the age of 65, three people had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, three people had received two doses and one person was unvaccinated.

The person who died under the age of 65 had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had significant underlying health conditions.

Three people were from Sydney's south, one person was from Western Sydney, one person was from Sydney's south west, one person was from Sydney's north, one person was from the Lake Macquarie area and one person was from the Northern Rivers.

NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 2,626.

There are currently 1,623 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 70 people in intensive care, 21 of whom require ventilation.

There were 10,856 positive test results notified in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday – including 7,203 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 3,653 positive PCR tests. The positive PCR results were returned from a total of 20,858 PCR tests.

Following further investigation, 6 COVID-19 cases reported by RAT have been excluded. There has now been a total of 865,162 positive RATs recorded since reporting began on 13 January 2022.

Following further investigation, 53 COVID-19 cases detected by PCR tests have been excluded and 311 cases previously reported as RAT-positive have been confirmed as PCR-positive cases, bringing the total number of cases detected by PCR tests in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,274,179.

NSW Health continues to urge everyone to take four simple precautions to protect each other:

• use a mask in indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe physical distance from others
• get your booster vaccine,
• get a test and isolate immediately if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, and
• clean your hands regularly.

Cases confirmed by PCR test and registered as RAT positive in the 24 hours to 4pm 18 April 2022, by Local Health District

COVID-19 vaccination update

*to 11:59pm 17 April 2022

*notified from 8pm 17 April to 8pm 18 April 2022.