NSW has reported another new daily record with 919 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and two deaths.
The entire state is now locked down and a police blitz is underway to enforce tough new regulations and increased fines as authorities battle to contain the spread of the Delta strain of the virus.
“Nearly one third of our population is fully vaccinated,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Wednesday.
“If we keep these rates up we will hit further milestones.”
The premier is particularly urging under-40s in the local government areas of concern to get vaccinated.
NSW Health remains particularly concerned about infection rates in Guildford, Auburn, Merrylands, Greystanes, Granville, Punchbowl, Yagoona and Blacktown.
The deaths include a 30-year-old mother of three, who has become one of the youngest people to die of COVID-19 in the state.
Ianeta Baker Isaako died on Monday at her home in Emerton in western Sydney. Her husband is also sick with the virus.
The Penrith RSL Junior Rugby Union Club posted a tribute to Ms Isaako on its Facebook page, saying the club was “saddened to hear of the passing of a member of our rugby family”.
“Our hearts are breaking and our thoughts are with your beautiful children, loving husband and wider family. May you rest in perpetual light and love.
“We also ask that everyone keeps husband Sako Isaako in our thoughts and prayers as he is currently fighting illness in hospital,” the club said.
A man in his 80s from Sydney’s north died at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, having acquired his infection at the Greenwood Aged Care in Normanhurst.
This brings the number of COVID-related deaths to 76 since June 16.
It comes as a “yellow emergency” was declared at Westmead Hospital on Tuesday due to an overwhelming number of COVID-19 patients, as cases continue to climb in western Sydney.
The hospital has reduced ambulance arrivals for COVID-19 patients for 24 hours and will transfer several critical patients to other Sydney metropolitan hospitals. An urgent critical care review is underway.
Meanwhile, Ms Berejiklian says she will announce “at least one” freedom for fully vaccinated residents under COVID-19 lockdown by the end of the week.
But the AMA is urging the premier to stay the course on lockdowns while the health system struggles to cope. 
NSW AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen says health must come first, “we cannot ease restrictions while our health system is struggling”.
About 60 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 or older have had at least one shot, with 32 per cent fully vaccinated.
AAP
