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.
The NSW Health vaccination clinic at Sydney Olympic Park was open on the Boxing Day Public Holiday. The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,536,154 with 4,330,422 administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night 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.
Sadly, NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of three people.
A man in his 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital. The man was a resident of the Uniting Lilian Wells aged care facility in North Parramatta, where he acquired his infection. He had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions. This is the first known death in NSW linked to the Omicron variant of concern.
A woman in her 90s from the Central Coast died at Wyong Hospital. She had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions.
A man in his 80s from Sydney's inner west died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He had had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions.
NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones.
There are currently 520 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 55 people in intensive care, 17 of whom require ventilation.
There were 97,241 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 109,545.
NSW recorded 6,324 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Fourteen COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 136,822.
Masks are now compulsory in all indoor, non-residential settings, including for hospitality staff and in offices, unless eating or drinking.
From today, QR code check-ins are also compulsory. Hospitality venues including pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes have moved to 1 person per 2 square metre rules indoors. There are no density limits for outdoor settings. All settings will remain in place until Thursday 27 January 2022.
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. This is recommended as an additional precaution to give you piece of mind before socialising. Information on how to use Rapid Antigen Tests is available on the NSW Government website.
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 6,324 cases reported to 8pm last night, 1,282 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 1,122 are from Sydney LHD, 866 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 744 are from Western Sydney LHD, 629 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 579 are from Hunter New England LHD,
267 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 202 are from Central Coast LHD, 131 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 125 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 118 are from Northern NSW LHD, 93 are from Western NSW LHD, 35 are from Southern NSW LHD, 27 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, two are from Far West LHD, two are in correctional settings, and 100 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
*notified from 8pm 24 December 2021 to 8pm 26 December 2021 **The NSW Health vaccination clinic at Sydney Olympic Park was open on the Boxing Day Public Holiday.
Video of today's update.