Across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.7 per cent have received two doses to Thursday 21 April 2022.

• Of children aged 12 to 15, 83.3 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 79.5 per cent have received two doses.
• Of children aged 5 to 11, 50 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 33.5 per cent have received two doses.
• Of people aged 16 plus, 62 per cent have now received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This represents 65.9 per cent of the eligible population that received their second dose more than three months ago.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 17,766,874 with 5,051,826 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 12,715,048 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Thursday 21 April 2022.

NSW Health encourages everyone who is eligible to receive their vaccination, including their booster dose, to book into a NSW Health vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.

Sadly, NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of 16 people with COVID-19; eight men and eight women.

One person was aged in their 20s, one person was aged in their 60s, two people were aged in their 70s, eight people were aged in their 80s and four people were aged in their 90s. Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.

Of the 15 people who died over the age of 65, six people had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, two people had received two doses, three people had received one dose and four people were unvaccinated.

The person who died under the age of 65 had received four doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had significant underlying health conditions.

Five people were from northern Sydney, three people were from the state's Mid Coast, two people were from the Lake Macquarie area, two people were from south-western Sydney, one person was from Sydney's Northern Beaches, one person was from Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, one person was from the Blue Mountains, and one person was from the South Coast.

NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 2,686.

There are currently 1,617 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 60 people in intensive care, 20 of whom require ventilation.

There were 12,633 positive test results notified in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday – including 7,283 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 5,350 positive PCR tests. The positive PCR results were returned from a total of 32,415 PCR tests.

Following further investigation, 14 COVID-19 cases reported by RAT have been excluded. There has now been a total of 898,604 positive RATs recorded since reporting began on 13 January 2022.

Following further investigation, 67 COVID-19 cases detected by PCR tests have been excluded and 422 cases previously reported as RAT-positive have been confirmed as PCR-positive cases, bringing the total number of cases detected by PCR tests in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,301,270.

As of 6pm yesterday (Friday 22 April), household and close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case who do not have symptoms are no longer required to isolate, provided they comply with NSW Health guidelines.

Any contact who has or develops symptoms must self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19. If they return a positive test result, they must follow the requirements for people who test positive to COVID-19. If they return a negative result, they should stay home until they do not have any symptoms.

Even though people without symptoms are no longer be required to isolate, household and close contacts should still be aware that they are at increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 and should take steps to protect the people around them.

These steps and further information are set out in the updated NSW Health household and close contact guidelines.

While household and close contacts are required to follow the guidelines for seven days, it is recommended that they continue to monitor for symptoms and take precautions for 14 days to help protect themselves and others from COVID-19. This reflects the fact that while most people who develop COVID-19 will get symptoms in the first seven days, some people will develop symptoms between days seven and 14.

NSW Health continues to urge everyone to take four simple precautions to protect each other:

• use a mask in indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe physical distance from others
• get your booster vaccine
• get a test and isolate immediately if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
• clean your hands regularly.

Cases confirmed by PCR test and registered as RAT positive in the 24 hours to 4pm 22 April 2022, by Local Health District

COVID-19 vaccination update

*to 11:59pm 21 April 2022

*notified from 8pm 21 April to 8pm 22 April 2022.