NSW recorded seven locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, with an additional three cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

Four of the locally acquired cases are linked to the Avalon cluster. Investigations continue into the source of the Avalon cluster, which now numbers 108. The source of the other three locally acquired cases remains under investigation.

A previously confirmed case in an overseas traveller has been excluded after further testing. This brings the total number of cases in NSW to 4,643 since the beginning of the pandemic.

There were a record 69,809 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 60,184.

Over the past week, more than 300,000 tests have been conducted across the state. This is an incredible effort from the community. Every person who comes forward for testing is playing an important role in helping to contain the spread of COVID-19.

NSW Health continues to urge people with even the mildest of symptoms to come forward for testing and follow public health advice. Testing clinics will remain open over the holidays, including today and Boxing Day.

We also want to thank those who are self-isolating. We appreciate it is difficult, especially today and over this holiday period. However, if you are a close contact of a case, you must continue to self-isolate for 14 days since exposure, even if you receive a negative test result.

Of the new cases to 8pm last night:

• Seven cases are locally acquired, and of these
• Four cases are linked to the Avalon cluster
• Two cases are household contacts of a previous case, whose source of infection is still under investigation
• One further case is under investigation
• Three cases were acquired overseas and are in hotel quarantine.

NSW Health is treating 101 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (99 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

It is vital people keep up their guard against COVID-19 over Christmas, by limiting social interactions where feasible and keeping them outdoor as much as possible.

Even though it is raining today, we encourage people to use covered outdoor spaces, such as verandas, where at all possible. If indoors, make sure it is well ventilated, including opening windows.

Most importantly, don't risk passing on COVID-19 to your family and friends for the sake of a social gathering. If you are feeling at all unwell, or have even the mildest symptoms, stay home and don't go to the event.

COVID-19 cases linked to the Avalon cluster have visited a growing list of locations across Sydney. A full list of locations and public transport routes, and the associated public health advice, is available from the NSW Government website.

It's vital that people keep up their guard against COVID-19 over the holiday period, by limiting social interactions where feasible and following recommended infection control practices, including physical distancing and hand hygiene.

Don't risk passing on COVID-19 for the sake of one social gathering. If you are feeling at all unwell, or have even the mildest symptoms, stay home and don't go to the event.

Anyone in NSW with even the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, is asked to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result.

There are more than 320 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Note Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

*notified from 8pm 22 December 2020 to 8pm 24 December 2020
**from 8pm 17 December 2020 to 8pm 24 December 2020

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Today's press conference will be uploaded to our website.