To Wednesday 29 December 2021 across NSW, 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.6 per cent have received two doses.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.5 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.2 per cent have received two doses.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,648,551, with 4,368,796 administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 9,279,755 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Tuesday 29 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.
Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 18 and over. 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. 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.
Sadly, NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of six people.
A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital. She was a resident of Fitzgerald Aged Care in Windsor, where she acquired her infection. She had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
A man in his 70s from south-western Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital. He was not vaccinated.
A man in his 70s from the Newcastle area died at John Hunter Hospital. He was a resident of the Kilpatrick Court aged care facility in Toronto, where he acquired his infection. He had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
A woman in her 60s from western Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital. She had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
A man in his 90s from Sydney's north shore died at Royal North Shore Hospital. He had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
A man in his 70s from south-western Sydney died at Concord Hospital. He had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones.
There are currently 832 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 69 people in intensive care, 19 of whom require ventilation.
There were 148,410 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 97,201.
NSW recorded 21,151 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Twenty COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 187,315.
Testing capacity in NSW is currently under enormous pressure and the only people getting a PCR (nose and throat swab) should be those who have COVID-19 symptoms; live in a household with a confirmed COVID-19-positive case; or have otherwise been advised by NSW Health to get tested.
This applies to people who are fully or partially vaccinated, as well as those not vaccinated.
Rapid antigen testing can be an additional precaution that you can take if you are planning to socialise with large groups of people, particularly indoors, or interacting with people who are elderly or have serious health conditions. 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 subsequent seven-day period, they should exercise caution and avoid high-risk settings and large indoor gatherings, and use a rapid antigen test if coming into contact with vulnerable people.
NSW Health urges the community to continue to practise COVID-safe behaviours on New Year's Eve. One of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of COVID-19 is to stick to small groups when socialising and to keep events preferably outdoors, and ensure good ventilation when indoors.
If heading to a venue, use the Service NSW check-in app where available, wear a mask and practise physical distancing.
Of the 21,151 cases reported to 8pm last night, 4,647 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 3,439 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 2,919 are from Western Sydney LHD, 2,278 are from Sydney LHD, 2,194 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 1,983 are from Hunter New England LHD, 821 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 632 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 597 are from Central Coast LHD, 260 are from Northern NSW LHD, 244 are from Western NSW LHD, 159 are from Southern NSW LHD, 131 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 121 are from Mid North Coast LHD, six are from Far West LHD, and 720 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 29 December 2021
* notified from 8pm 29 December 2021 to 8pm 30 December 2021
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