NSW has recorded 97 COVID-19 cases with at least 29 people infectious while in the community and Gladys Berejiklian is warning the numbers are expected to spike on the weekend.
The premier said the lockdown would not be lifted until the numbers of infectious people in the community started to dramatically decline, and flagged a possible tightening of restrictions, saying “we will not hesitate to go harder”.
“There is no doubt that the numbers are not where we would like them … I am assuming because we had, in the last 24 hours, at least 29 of those 97 cases were infectious in the community, the numbers tomorrow will be greater than what we saw today,” she said.
Three quarters of the new cases were recorded in the Fairfield local government area with the premier again urging people to stay home.
“While we know southwestern Sydney has the bulk of the cases, it is really important for all of us … to stay at home.”
The daily number is up from 65 cases recorded on Thursday and compares to the previous high of 112 cases reported on Monday.
Of the 97 new cases recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, at least 29 people were out in the community while infectious. The isolation status of five cases remains under investigation.
It brings the total number of people infected during the outbreak to 1006, with Friday marking exactly a month since the highly infectious delta strain of COVID was first recorded in Sydney’s east.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says she’s concerned that the source of infection for 34 cases remains under investigation.
“I can’t stress to the community (enough) my absolute concern that we need to work harder at reducing mobility and reduce our interactions with others if we will bring the situation under control and to see a decline in cases infectious in the community,” she said.
NSW police said 164 enforcement notices were handed out in 24 hours, with more than 200 warnings and advice given to people about breaching the public health orders or getting close to breaching public health orders.
Deputy Commissioner Worboys declined to say if a NSW MP’s relative was among those pinged by police amid reports the daughter of Deputy Premier John Barilaro, Domenica Barilaro, had been fined $1000 for breaching public health orders.
“What I can say is a young lady from down at Queanbeyan was spoken to by police from Queanbeyan police station. That young lady was considerate of the investigation, was polite and forthcoming and that infringement notice was issued her,” he said.
Another man was fined for what police described as a “pop up party” at Manly in Sydney’s northern beaches.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said more than 70 per cent of new cases were happening in southwest Sydney.
He was asked if there was fatigue amongst government ministers and whether he should take a month off.
“We are all working to do what we need to do and we will continue to do that,” he said.
Three paramedics in southwest Sydney have tested positive for the virus, forcing at least 70 paramedics identified as close contacts into isolation.
Meanwhile, 200 cleaners at Westmead Hospital are refusing to enter the hospital’s COVID ward because they say they have been denied access to vital personal protective equipment.
Mr Hazzard said there was “some difference of opinion” between the hospital and the union on the matter “but I’ve indicated to the team last night that I’d like us to be as generous as reasonable and understanding of our health workers and are on the side of being supportive”.
Sydney and surrounding regions are poised to go into a fourth week of a lockdown that was due to end on Friday but will now continue for at least another two weeks until July 30.
NSW Health has opened a new vaccination hub that will prioritise around 12,000 teachers, school staff and aged care workers in southwest Sydney at the Prairiewood Youth and Community Centre.
There are 75 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 18 people in intensive care, five of whom require ventilation.
AAP
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