NSW recorded 345 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
No new cases were acquired overseas, and six cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 72,710.
Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of five people – three women and two men.
One person was in their 30s, one person was in their 50s, one person was in their 70s, one person was in their 80s, and one person was in their 90s.
Three people were from south-western Sydney, one person was from Sydney's inner city, and one person was from south-eastern Sydney.
One person was not vaccinated, two had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and two had received two doses.
A man in his 70s from south-western Sydney died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions. He acquired his infection at the Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged in Earlwood, and is the first death linked to an outbreak there.
A woman in her 90s from south-eastern Sydney died at Prince of Wales Hospital, where she acquired her infection. She had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions.
NSW Health extends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the people who have died.
There have been 492 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 548 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 67,024 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.
There are currently 482 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 125 people in intensive care, 67 of whom require ventilation.
There were 76,594 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 86,235.
11,888,419
To 11.59pm on Wednesday 20 October 2021 across NSW, 92.7 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 83.0 per cent were fully vaccinated.
In the 12-15 year old age group, 76.6 per cent have had their first dose, and 43.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 11,888,419, with 3,968,352 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 7,920,067 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Wednesday 20 October 2021.
Of the 345 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 63 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 61 are from Hunter New England LHD, 40 are from Western Sydney LHD, 35 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 28 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 25 are from Central Coast LHD, 18 are from Sydney LHD, 15 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 12 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 12 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 11 are from Northern Sydney LHD, seven are from Western NSW LHD, five are from Northern NSW LHD, three are in a correctional setting and 10 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in sewage samples collected from across NSW, including Leeton, Moree, Guyra, Quirindi, Old Bar, Harrington and Boorowa, where there are no known recent cases.
Everyone in these areas 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 500 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.
Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review. *notified from 8pm 20 October 2021 to 8pm 21 October 2021 **from 8pm 15 October 2021 to 8pm 21 October 2021
*notified from 8pm 19 October 2021 to 8pm 20 October 2021
*to 11.59pm 20 October 2021
Video of today’s update