The NSW Government says it will restore freedoms to all fully vaccinated residents once the state hits 70 per cent double-dose coverage – regardless of COVID-19 case numbers.
NSW reported 1218 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, another daily infection record.
It also recorded six deaths in three people in their 80s and three in their 70s. None were fully vaccinated.
The death toll for the current outbreak now sits at 89.
There are now more than 810 COVID-19 patients in NSW in hospital, with 126 in intensive care and 54 ventilated. Of those 126 in intensive care, one was fully vaccinated.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the state could reach 70 per cent single-dose vaccination coverage within days.
Once it reaches double-dose coverage – roughly in mid-October – a number of freedoms will be restored to the fully vaccinated. Further freedoms are restored at 80 per cent double-dose coverage.
Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Sunday those freedoms would be restored regardless of COVID-19 case numbers at the time, with vaccinations preventing hospitalisation and death.
The government, having issued its six million jab target, earlier this week provided a small “treat” to fully vaccinated NSW residents, enabling them to have small picnics outdoors.
“We will stick to our word,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“No matter what the case numbers are doing – of course we want to see them come down – double-dose 70 per cent in NSW means freedom for those who are (fully) vaccinated.
“It doesn’t matter where you live or what your circumstances are.”
As at Friday, 65.39 per cent of eligible NSW residents have had at least one vaccine dose and 35.43 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Ms Berejiklian also reiterated QR code check-ins, social distancing and contact tracing would remain in use for the long haul.
“We will be doing things differently when we get to 70 per cent – the way we deal with quarantine will be different, the way we deal with (movement) will be different, but it’ll be much freer,” she said.
“There will be opportunities for those who are fully vaccinated to live more freely at 70 per cent double dose … (and) there are some things we cannot extend to people who are not vaccinated.”
It comes as paramedics in NSW are becoming increasingly stretched by the state’s accumulation of COVID-19 infections, with demand equivalent to the “busiest New Year’s Eve”.
At least two western Sydney hospitals – Westmead and Blacktown – have called “code yellows” this week as their caseload climbs.
While NSW has a surge capacity of 2000 ICU beds, unions fear the quality of care would be greatly diluted if all beds were deployed.
Ms Berejiklian warned the peak of ICU admissions may not arrive until October but said vaccination would gradually break the connection between COVID-19 infection and hospitalisation.
The government has also injected an additional $8 million into suicide prevention measures among high-risk groups such as the elderly, regional NSW residents and the LGBTIQ community.
Elsewhere, authorities confirmed that a COVID-19 outbreak at Parklea prison in Sydney’s northwest has reached 31 cases. This includes at least 12 new COVID-19 infections.
Cases have also been uncovered at Silverwater prison.
Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns SC said the number of prisoners needs to be urgently reduced amid the outbreak, and inmate vaccination should be prioritised.
“COVID-19 in prisons could still spread rapidly and will be hard to stop once it takes hold,” Mr Barns said in a statement.
Police are also seeking public help after a COVID-19 testing clinic in North St Marys was defaced and burned down overnight.
Some 327 public health infringements have been issued this week.
AAP
