NSW recorded 150 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Six cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 81,310.
There are currently 170 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 25 people in intensive care, 10 of whom require ventilation.
There were 47,175 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 54,150.
Testing has confirmed three passengers who arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Sunday evening, 28 November, are positive for COVID-19.
They are currently isolating in the special health accommodation, along with all other arrivals who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW.
One of these three cases is considered likely to be an old infection. Urgent genomic sequencing is underway to determine if the other two people have been infected by the new Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern. Results are expected this evening.
Results of genomic sequencing for a person who arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on 23 November and tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (Sunday) are also expected today. Initial testing indicates this person is unlikely to have been infected with the Omicron variant. This person, who is fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, is isolating at home in Sydney.
NSW Health confirmed yesterday that two overseas travellers who arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Saturday evening have been infected with the new Omicron B.1.1.529 COVID-19 variant of concern. The two positive cases, who were asymptomatic, are in isolation in the Special Health Accommodation. Both people are fully vaccinated.
In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.
All travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours, pending further health advice.
All flight crew who have been overseas during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 14 days or until their departure on another flight that leaves Australia, consistent with the current rules for unvaccinated flight crew.
It is critical that anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the nine African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.
All unvaccinated travellers from any overseas country arriving in NSW will continue to enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, in line with existing rules.
Across NSW, 94.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 92.4 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.3 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 76.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 12,858,525 with 4,148,036 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 8,710,489 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Saturday 27 November 2021.
If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccination yet, please don’t delay. Even if you have had COVID-19 and recovered, you should get vaccinated.
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.
Of the 150 cases reported to 8pm last night, 32 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 25 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 25 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 19 are from Sydney LHD, 19 are from Western Sydney LHD, 10 are from Hunter New England LHD, four are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, three are from Western NSW LHD, two are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, two are from Southern NSW LHD, one is from Central Coast LHD, one is from Far West LHD, one is from Murrumbidgee LHD and six are yet to be assigned to a LHD.
Everyone who has been to these areas recently 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 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 27 November 2021
Today's video update.