NSW recorded 830 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Of these locally acquired cases, 137 are linked to a known case or cluster – 118 are household contacts and 19 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 693 cases is under investigation.
Sixty-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 19 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Fifty cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 694 cases remains under investigation.
No new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Eight previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 17,806.
There have been 12,217 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.
Sadly, NSW Health has been notified of the deaths of three people who had COVID-19.
A man in his 60s from south west Sydney died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He acquired his infection at Canterbury Hospital.
A woman in her 80s from south west Sydney died at Wollongong Hospital.
A man in his 70s from south east Sydney died at St George Hospital, where he acquired his infection. This is the second death linked to the outbreak at St George Hospital.
NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones.
This brings the number of COVID-related deaths to 71 since 16 June, and the number of lives lost to 127 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There are currently 557 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 94 people in intensive care, 31 of whom require ventilation.
There were 206,193 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 124,610.
NSW Health administered 44,908 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 10,307 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 5,868,974 with 2,116,804 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 3,752,170 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59pm on Friday 20 August.
Of the 830 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 317 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 237 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 82 are from Sydney LHD, 70 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 47 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 36 are from Western NSW LHD, 20 are from Northern Sydney LHD, two are from Far West LHD, seven are from Hunter New England LHD, and 12 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plant in Bateau Bay, which serves around 39,000 people and includes the suburbs of Bateau Bay, Blue Bay, Killarney Vale, Long Jetty, Shelly Beach, The Entrance, The Entrance North and Toowoon Bay.
This detection is of particular concern as there are no known cases in the Bateau Bay area. Everyone in this area is urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has also recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plant in Parkes, which serves around 11,600 people. Everyone in this area is urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
If you are directed to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.
It remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately. When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.
Please check the NSW Government website regularly, and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19. This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed.
There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.
Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review. *notified from 8pm 20 August 2021 to 8pm 21 August 2021**from 8pm 15 August 2021 to 8pm 21 August 2021
*notified from 8pm 20 August 2021 to 8pm 21 August 2021
Press conference - Sunday 22 August.
