New South Wales records 239 new local coronavirus cases and two deaths

NSW has recorded 239 new local cases of coronavirus and two deaths, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian warning things are “likely to get worse before they get better.”

Of the new cases, 113 are linked to a known case or cluster, 88 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 126 cases is under investigation.

Eighty-one cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 22 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Sixty-six cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 70 cases remains under investigation.

The numbers came from 110,962 tests.

NSW Health said it had been notified a woman in her 90s from southwest Sydney died on Wednesday morning at Liverpool Hospital. A man in his 80s from southwest Sydney also died yesterday afternoon at Royal North Shore Hospital.

The news comes a day after the state reported a raft of new rules and confirmed stay-at home orders for Greater Sydney – including the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour – will remain in place until 28 August.

The extension will see the lockdown through to nine weeks after the city first entered the severe restrictions.