NSW has reported 1288 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths as the government unveils almost $4 billion in extra financial support.
The entire state is currently locked down and police are cracking down on compliance measures as authorities battle to contain the spread of the virulent Delta strain.
The seven deaths recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday include a man in his 50s, two people in their 70s and four people in their 80s.
The death toll for the current NSW outbreak is now 107.
There are 957 COVID-19 patients in NSW in hospital, with 160 people in intensive care and 64 ventilated.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian also announced on Thursday that residents of the 12 local government areas of concern would be able to conduct unlimited daily exercise, rather than the one hour per day current permitted.
This was because NSW has reached 70 per cent first-dose vaccination coverage, with double-dose coverage expected in roughly mid-October.
“It’s been a difficult couple of months and the fact people have heard the messages we’ve been giving and come forward to get vaccinated and hit that 70 per cent first dose is outstanding,” Ms Berejiklian said.
NSW has also unveiled almost $4 billion in extra financial support for locked-down residents.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet on Thursday announced an additional $3.9 billion in relief funding, including $1.5 billion from the federal government.
This will extend the JobSaver program of employment subsidies for lockdown-affected businesses, as well as rent relief incentives, payroll tax reductions, deferrals and small business grants.
Eligible businesses will be permitted to defer their payroll tax payments until January and pay off their tax obligations interest-free over 12 months.
A new “hardship panel” will also be created to assess business relief applications that don’t qualify for COVID-19 grants.
“We will continue to stand by businesses and individuals and provide the support needed. We will also be there on the other side as we emerge from lockdown and head towards recovery,” Mr Perrottet said in a statement.
The number of people in NSW who have received at least one COVID-19 jab has grown on average by more than one per cent a day over the past week.
The government has flagged that at 70 per cent double-dose coverage, vaccinated people can expect to go out for a meal and attend public events.
Yet, while October will likely trigger freedoms for the vaccinated, it will also be a time when NSW hospitals will be under the most pressure.
AAP
