To Thursday 23 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.
NSW Health vaccination clinics were closed on the Christmas Day Public Holiday. The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is 13,534,235, with 4,328,503 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm on Friday 24 December and 9,205,732 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Thursday 23 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. Talk to your GP for more advice.
There are currently 458 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 52 people in intensive care, 15 of whom require ventilation.
There were 109,545 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 149,261.
NSW recorded 6,394 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Fifteen COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 130,512.
Masks are now compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including for hospitality staff and in offices, unless eating or drinking.
Get tested and stay home if you have the mildest of symptoms. Do not visit family, friends or go to social events if you are unwell. Wash and sanitise your hands regularly.
If you do not have symptoms, consider using a rapid antigen test before going out.
Around a quarter of people exposed to COVID-19 may still develop their infection after seven days. For the next seven days, close contacts should exercise caution and not enter a high-risk setting, should avoid large indoor gatherings, use a rapid antigen test if coming into contact with vulnerable people.
Of the 6,394 cases reported to 8pm last night, 1,366 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 1,048 are from Sydney LHD, 843 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 833 are from Western Sydney LHD, 783 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 510 are from Hunter New England LHD, 216 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 187 are from Central Coast LHD, 163 are from Northern NSW LHD, 130 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 82 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 51 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 39 are from Western NSW LHD, 30 are from Southern NSW LHD, three are from Far West LHD and 110 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 **Please note Commonwealth vaccination numbers are not updated on Christmas Day.
*notified from 8pm 23 December 2021 to 8pm 24 December 2021 ** Please note NSW Health vaccination numbers are not updated on Christmas Day.
Video of today's update.