NSW recorded 919 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Of these locally acquired cases, 178 are linked to a known case or cluster – 153 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 741 cases is under investigation.
One hundred and six cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 18 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Thirty-seven cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 758 cases remains under investigation.
Two new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and nine previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,266.
Sadly, NSW Health has been notified of the deaths of two people who had COVID-19.
As announced yesterday, a woman in her 30s from Sydney’s west died at home. Her death is being investigated by the coroner.
A man in his 80s from Sydney’s north died at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, having acquired his infection at the Greenwood Aged Care in Normanhurst. His is the third death linked to an outbreak at this aged care facility.
NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones.
This brings the number of COVID-related deaths to 76 since 16 June 2021, and the number of lives lost to 132 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There have been 14,673 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.
There are currently 645 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 113 people in intensive care, 40 of whom require ventilation.
There were 149,252 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 138,472.
NSW Health administered 45,073 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 10,964 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 6,143,824, with 2,252,785 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 3,891,039 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11:59pm on Monday, 23rd August 2021.
Of the 919 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 387 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 247 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 82 are from Sydney LHD, 71 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 49 are from Western NSW LHD, 39 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 12 are from Northern Sydney LHD, seven are from Far West LHD, eight are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, four are from Hunter New England LHD, one is from Central Coast LHD, and 12 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
Across the Western NSW Local Health District there have been 49 new cases of COVID-19 reported to 8pm last night. People in the affected areas throughout Western NSW need to be extremely vigilant and get tested at the first sign of symptoms.
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plants in Bateau Bay, Toukley and Merimbula, which serve around 39,000, 29,000 and 15,500 people respectively.
Everyone in these areas is urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.
It remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately. When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.
Please check the NSW Government website regularly, and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19. This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed.
There are more than 460 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.
Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.
*notified from 8pm 23 August 2021 to 8pm 24 August 2021 **from 8pm 18 August 2021 to 8pm 24 August 2021
*notified from 8pm 23 August 2021 to 8pm 24 August 2021
Video of today's press conference will be uploaded to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - press conferences and video updates.