NSW recorded 2,566 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
A total of 313 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern have been confirmed by the required additional testing in NSW. However, NSW Health advises that the Omicron variant of concern likely accounts for the majority of today’s cases.
With the high number of COVID-19 cases now in NSW, NSW Health will only undertake genomic sequencing for the Omicron variant in the circumstances where it will make a clinical difference to the care of a patient. For instance, where it will inform treatment choices as some therapies work with Delta but not for Omicron, and in situations where it will inform public health action.
Seven COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 97,369.
There are currently 227 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 28 people in intensive care, ten of whom require ventilation.
There were 148,937 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 137,149.
Across NSW, 94.9 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.4 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.5 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.1 per cent are fully vaccinated.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,265,984 with 4,257,471 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 9,008,513 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Friday 17 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.
Everyone aged 18 years and older may now receive a booster five months after receiving their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
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. Talk to your GP for more advice.
NSW Health continues to remind everyone across the community to continue to practice COVID-Safe behaviours, including wearing a mask in settings where you cannot physically distance.
Get tested and stay home if you have the mildest of symptoms. Do not go out and visit family, friends or go to social events if you are unwell. Practice good hand hygiene, washing and sanitising your hands regularly.
Please consider using a Rapid Antigen Test before going out, if you do not have symptoms.
Of the 2,566 cases reported to 8pm last night, 712 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 446 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 303 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 311 are from Sydney LHD, 279 are from Western Sydney LHD, 189 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 72 are from Central Coast LHD, 66 are from Northern NSW LHD, 50 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 31 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 37 are from Western NSW LHD, 23 are from Mid North Coast LHD, six are from Murrumbidgee LHD, seven are from Southern NSW LHD, one is from Far West LHD and 33 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 17 December 2021
*notified from 8pm 17 December 2021 to 8pm 18 December 2021