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NSW records 961 new cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths

Of those who lost their lives, one person was in their 40s, two were in their 60s, two were in their 70s, and four were in their 80s.

Eight people were unvaccinated, and one had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state had passed 85 per cent first dose vaccination, while 59.25 had received two doses.

The premier said 50 per cent of 12-15-year-olds have received their first dose.

“There is not long to go before NSW starts approaching that 70 per cent double dose figure and I ask everybody to please hold the line. It’s really important we work hard now so that when we do start opening up at 70 per cent we are able to do so safely and by bringing everyone together,” she said.

“And I do want to foreshadow that the NSW government is very close to finalising our roadmap for 80 per cent double dose but also our roadmap as to when unvaccinated people will be able to participate in greater activity and we will be releasing back this week.”

NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the highest numbers of cases were seen in the suburbs of concern, including Guildford, Auburn, Punchbowl, Penrith, Bankstown, Liverpool and Bossley Park.

He added that there have also been a number of sewage detections of the virus.

“We have seen a number of sewage detections and regional areas with cases and we would like to call out those areas and really encourage people in those towns to come forward for testing, even with the mildest of symptoms.

“Musselburgh, in the Hunter Valley, Grafton, Grafton North and south sewage systems have tested positive, and Wardell and Barrett have a number of positive sewage tests on the far west corner of the Southern Highlands.”

There were currently 1146 patients admitted to the hospital with COVID symptoms, 117 requiring ventilation.

Ms Berejiklian said authorities were currently working out what restrictions would look like for people who are unvaccinated residents and said plans would be announced this week:

“The fact that we have so quickly already reached 85 per cent demonstrates the vast majority of our citizens know how important this is. We will reopen to everybody when it is safe to do so, we’re going through the final touches of what our policy will be in that regard, and I am looking forward to sharing that with the community this week,’ she said.

“Can I strongly urge everybody to come forward and get vaccinated. If you don’t have a medical reason as to why you should not be vaccinated, please come forward, we know that if you want to live with COVID safely, keep our loved ones protected, the best way to do that is to have great coverage of vaccination and I urge everybody to do that.”

Source: sbs.com.au