23 October 2021

NSW recorded 332 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. 

One new case was acquired overseas, and 20 cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 73,023.

Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of two people.

A woman in her 70s from Sydney’s north west died at Hornsby Hospital. She was not vaccinated.

A man in his 60s died at Mercy Place Albury Aged Care Facility where he acquired his infection. He had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. It is the second death linked to an outbreak at this facility. 

NSW Health extends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the people who have died.

There have been 494 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 550 in total since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 67,336 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.    
There are currently 469 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 123 people in intensive care, 66 of whom require ventilation.

There were 64,118 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 76,594.

CasesCount
Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) 73,023
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases) 550
Total tests carried out19,110,106
Total vaccinations administered in NSW

11,957,207

 

To 11.59pm on Thursday 21 October 2021 across NSW, 92.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 83.7 per cent were fully vaccinated. 

In the 12-15 year old age group, 77.1 per cent have had their first dose, and 46.1 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 11,957,207 with 3,982,178 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 7,975,029 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Thursday 21 October 2021.

Of the 332 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 78 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 69 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 37 are from Western Sydney LHD, 37 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 22 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 19 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 17 are from Sydney LHD, 12 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 10 are from Central Coast LHD, eight are from Western NSW LHD, six are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, six are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, five are from Southern NSW LHD, two are from Northern NSW LHD, one is from Far West LHD, one is in a correctional setting and two are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in sewage samples collected from across NSW, including Dungog and Branxton in the Hunter, Jerilderie, Inverell, Bonny Hills, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Dunbogan, Wagga Wagga (Kooringal catchment) and Bega, Moruya and Narooma on the south coast where there are no known recent cases.

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.

NSW  Health encourages those planning to celebrate Halloween to do so in a COVID-safe way, in line with public health orders. 

NSW Health’s tips for a COVID-safe Halloween include keeping celebrations local and outside, not sharing costume face masks and providing individually wrapped treats rather than communal lolly bowls.

Most importantly, stay at home and don’t participate if you are feeling unwell with even the mildest of symptoms – get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.

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 500 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.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Likely source of infectionCases past 24 hours*Cases past 7 days** All cases
Overseas1 5 3,483
Interstate0 0 110
Locally acquired332
2,113
69,430
Total 333
2,118
73,023

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.
*notified from 8pm 21 October 2021 to 8pm 22 October 2021
 **from 8pm 16 October 2021 to 8pm 21 October 2021

COVID-19 vaccination update

COVID-19 vaccination doses administered by NSW HealthDoses past 24 hours* All doses
NSW Health – first doses 1,433
2,189,496
NSW Health – second doses 11,699
1,792,557
NSW Health – third doses 25
125
Total 13,157
3,982,178

*notified from 8pm 21 October 2021 to 8pm 22 October 2021

NSW COVID-19 vaccination rate Total* (ages 16 and over) Total* (ages 12-15)
 All providers – first doses 92.8%77.1%
 All providers – fully vaccinated 83.7%46.1%

*to 11.59pm 21 October 2021

Video of today’s update