As at 8pm, Thursday 23 April 2020, an additional seven cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since 8pm 22 April, bringing the total to 2,982. One previously identified case has been removed following further testing.
During that time, 7,352 people were tested, up from 5,645 the 24 hours before.
There have now been 2,056 people that have recovered from COVID-19 in NSW.
There are currently 230 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health. This includes 19 people being treated in Intensive Care Units, with 15 of those requiring ventilators.
There has been one death related to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
A 78-year-old female with confirmed COVID-19, has passed away. She was a resident of Anglicare Newmarch House.
NSW Health extends condolences to the family of this woman.
The Ruby Princess departed NSW waters yesterday. There are 44 Ruby Princess crew members onshore in NSW. 33 crew with confirmed COVID-19 have disembarked and been transported to health-managed hotels since 21 April. Two crew with confirmed COVID-19 are in RPA hospital and nine crew with confirmed COVID-19 remain in RPA virtual hospital.
Another two crew members were both discharged from RPA virtual and departed by plane to the Philippines last night.
There is now laboratory capacity to approximately double the volume of testing for COVID-19 in NSW from an average of 4,000 tests to 8,000 tests per day over the next week, through both the public and private health systems.
All people with symptoms of an acute respiratory illness, including fever, cough, tiredness or sore throat should come forward for testing.
People with symptoms, including mild symptoms, are particularly encouraged to be tested to ensure we identify as many cases of COVID-19 in the community as quickly as possible.
NSW will also continue to identify local hot spots for testing - including by suburb, local government area or other location.
NSW also urges all health care workers, aged care workers or workers in other high risk or residential care settings with symptoms to come forward immediately for testing, and to make sure that their occupational status is noted so that their test can be prioritised.
Similarly any people who live in residential care setting, or have contact with health care or school settings with symptoms are particularly encouraged to come forward for testing, and to make their contact with a high risk setting known to their doctor and testing provider.
Areas of concern for community transmission in NSW are available.
The locations of COVID-19 clinics are available.
NSW Health is alerting passengers who were close contacts of cases on flights to monitor for symptoms, and contact their GP, (call ahead before visiting), or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or visit a NSW Health COVID-19/Flu assessment clinic should they become unwell.
*Note: Excludes cases notified without a date of birth and/or gender.
* Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhance surveillance activities.