NSW has reported 390 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and at least 101 of those people were circulating in the community for all or part of their infectious period.
Two people have also died, including an unvaccinated woman in her 40s in Sydney and a vaccinated man in his 90s in palliative care in the Hunter region. The toll for the current outbreak in NSW is now at least 38.
“Behind every single statistic is a loved one, a family, and many carers,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Friday.
Greater Sydney and surrounding regions are in lockdown until at least August 28, as are multiple parts of regional NSW, as health authorities battle to contain an outbreak of the virulent Delta strain.
Ms Berejiklian said Blacktown and Mount Druitt in western Sydney had become areas of particular concern for health authorities, with a rise in cases.
There are currently 63 COVID-19 patients in NSW in intensive care, 30 of which are ventilated.
Meanwhile, almost 20 people linked to a special needs school in Sydney’s north have caught COVID-19, including students with severe autism.
NSW Health has uncovered 18 cases associated with the Giant Steps special education school in Gladesville including three staff, seven students and eight family members.
It comes after a COVID-positive person attended a vaccination hub at Qudos Bank Arena, currently being used for western Sydney’s Year 12 students. The arena is a casual contact site on the afternoon of August 10.
NSW Health officials are also “very concerned” about the potential spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable regional communities, with the majority of new cases in Dubbo and Walgett diagnosed in Aboriginal people.
The cases led the state government to call a one-week snap lockdown for the Walgett, Dubbo, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine and Warren areas on Wednesday.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday confirmed an additional 7680 Pfizer vaccines will be provided for the affected areas, including Walgett.
Western Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan confirmed the “vast majority” of those cases were in Aboriginal people, including children.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Thursday acknowledged there had been problems delivering adequate vaccine supplies to Walgett. He said there was strong demand for Pfizer in those communities.
The Dharriwaa Elders Group at Walgett issued an urgent request on Thursday evening for more trained nurses to support Aboriginal Medical Services.
Mr Hazzard admitted those services were understaffed.
Unions NSW on Friday called on National Cabinet to introduce paid isolation and COVID-19 testing leave for all Australian workers. In Victoria, workers who need to get tested and isolate are eligible for a $450 payment.
AAP
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